Perhaps the most common question people have is "What exactly a muscle car is." The term wasn't even used until the late 1970s, in the 1960s there were often called "Super Cars" if called anything at all. Therefore, the actual definition of a muscle car, or which models were muscle cars, is a topic that is often in conflict. Here is the general interpretation of what a muscle car is and what cars qualify, and which don't.

A Ford Mustang is a Pony Car. GTs, Mach 1 's, and Boss Mustangs are considered Muscle Cars. A muscle car is an intermediate sized, performance oriented model, powered by a large V8 engine, at an affordable price. A number of smaller vehicles started appearing on the automotive performance scene. These new "pony cars" and compact cars are generally considered muscle cars only if they have the top of the line performance engines and options. For instance: Chevrolet Camaro Ford Mustang, Plymouth 'Cudas, AMC Javelin, etc.