The 8 Finest Examples of Classic Mopar Muscle

The name Mopar might simply be the official name of the FCA parts division, but to die-hard classic car fanatics, the name has been used as a term of distinction to refer to the extremely powerful muscle cars produced by Chrysler, Dodge, and the now-defunct Plymouth, over the years.
Even today, Dodge continues to put out some of the finest performance vehicles on the market. However, a handful of classic models paved the way and helped create a legacy that Mopar still has today. Let’s check out eight stunning examples of Mopar muscle over the years.

Honorable Mention: Plymouth Super Bird

The Super Bird is a variation of the Plymouth Road Runner, and it’s definitely deserving of its reputation as one of the most visually striking, fast, and powerful Mopar vehicles ever made. However, due to its primary status as on on-track racer with a nearly non-existent public release, it doesn’t seem fair to include it here. The same can be said for the equally deserving Dodge Charger Daytona.

8. Plymouth Fury

The Plymouth Fury often flies under the radar when discussing Mopar giants, but it’s influence is legendary. Originally a sub-series of the Plymouth Belvedere, the Fury model benefited from a new Chrysler “Golden Commando” engine beginning in 1958. With 350 CID displacement and hotter equipment, the Fury was capable of 305 horsepower.

7. Dodge Coronet

By the American muscle boom period of the late 1960s to early 1970s, the Dodge Coronet had already been a staple of Dodge’s lineup for 20 years. However, beginning with the fifth generation, the Coronet began to make waves on the performance car and racing circuit. Even today, the Coronet’s racing influence can still be felt in today’s motorsports landscape. The Coronet and the similarly-designed Plymouth Belvedere can be considered the ancestors of today’s NHRA funny car class.

6. Chrysler Hurst 300

The Chrysler 300 letter series had a production life that spanned 15 years, at least until the series was given a soft reboot at the turn of the 21st century with the release of the 300M. Interestingly, the final model to be considered a part of the official letter series didn’t actually have a letter at all. The Hurst 300 was released as a special limited edition vehicle in 1970. It was based on the new full-size Chrysler platform. Under the hood, the 2-ton beast of a performance car housed a 440 V-8 engine that was capable of producing 395 horsepower.

5. Dodge Hemi Dart

You’d be hard-pressed to find a vehicle model that underwent more frequent and drastically different changes over its lifetime than the Dodge Dart. During its 18-year production life, the Dart came in the form of full and mid-sized sedans, compact cars, and even station wagons in some markets. However, the most impressive face of the Dart by far was the Hemi Dart, a model that both introduced new concepts and broke records as one of the biggest (or smallest) forces on American drag strips.

4. Dodge Charger

The Dodge Charger debuted in 1966, and it’s since become one of the most sought after Mopar models that is still being produced today. Sharing much of its mechanics and chassis with other Dodge models like the Coronet, the Dodge Charger offered an aggressive, fastback appearance and a striking interior that was the very breath of modernity at the time. Under the hood, the Charger offered a variety of engine builds including the mighty 426 Hemi.

3. Plymouth Road Runner

The incomparable Plymouth Road Runner made its debut in 1968, and its since proved to be one of the most influential muscle cars of all time. Thanks to its relatively modest pricing and renowned performance, not to mention the sheer thrill of driving it, the Road Runner became one of the best-selling muscle cars of all time.

2. Plymouth Barracuda

It’s hard to argue that the Plymouth Barracuda doesn’t deserve a spot on this list. After all, it spawned an all-time great rock anthem. With its 1964 debut, the Barracuda can be considered America’s first pony car. Quick as a whip and a blast to drive, the Barracuda has gone down in history as one of the most impressive Mopar models ever, especially thanks to its front-row access to the incredible Hemi.

1. Dodge Challenger

The fact of the matter is, it’s hard to imagine any other vehicle occupying the number one slot of an all-time great Mopar cars list than the car that’s synonymous with Mopar name itself. Simply put, there’s no FCA vehicle that’s stood the test of time as well as the iconic Dodge Challenger. The Challenger has frequently raised the bar in terms of street-legal power, reaching new heights in 2018 with the release of the Challenger SRT Demon, a car that was capable of an unheard-of 808 horsepower.

These days, the legacy of the Challenger and Mopar as a whole lives on with the upcoming release of the 2020 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Widebody, which is capable of 707 horsepower and will debut later this year. While you wait, head to Keller Bros Dodge RAM today to browse our latest inventory!