Dodge Charger
110,000 buyers can’t be wrong.
Led by the General Lee from the Dukes of Hazard, the 1969 Dodge Charger embodied the muscle car aesthetic. Backed by the legendary 426 Hemi, the Charger blazed to 60 mph in 6.5 seconds and dashed to the top of the bestsellers list and to near the top of the muscle car list as well.
Plymouth Barracuda
Plymouth focused on reviving their drowning mascot, boosting horsepower and adding power steering. Unfortunately, as the weight was lopsided, the Barracuda could only swim well in straight lines. The Hemi Cuda with it's 425 bhp 426 hemi engine is still a popular choice on a muscle car list even though in 1969 only 115 Hemi 'Cudas were sold.
Plymouth Road Runner
Named Motor Trend’s™ “Car of the Year,” the Roadrunner was straightforward, fast and feisty. The immense 426 Hemi led the fleet to an astounding 83,000 sales.
Plymouth GTX
In 1969, the Plymouth GTX was surpassed by its younger sibling, the Road Runner. Still, 15,000 buyers opted for the GTX’s no-nonsense interior and rugged attitude. Of those only 701 GTX convertibles were made in 1969. Eleven of those 701 GTX were equipped with the 426 Hemi.
Pontiac Firebird & Trans Am
Two years old in 1969, the Firebird jolted its followers with a radically restyled front fascia and interior – changes that disturbed devotees. However, the signature white-and-blue Firebird Trans Am counterbalanced the odd styling of the regular Firebird. 697 Firebird Trans Ams were built in 1969.
Pontiac GTO & GTO “The Judge”
Available as a convertible and coupe, the GTO disdained interior luxury and focused on burly power and performance. In 1969, “The Judge” trim – a premium exhibition of Pontiac’s performance talent – was added to the lineup. Another car that is at the top of many muscle car lists.
Chevrolet Camaro
The 1969 Camaro was all about choices: fourteen different engines, two body styles and twelve regular different trim plus the COPO ZL1. The Camaro was also about speed. The Camaro SS dashed to 60 mph in 6.8 seconds and topped out at 126 mph. 20,302 Chevrolet Camaros were built in 1969 and this car is often found in the number one spot on a muscle car list.
Chevrolet Chevelle SS
Big news for the 1969 Chevelle: the 375-hp SS 396 package became an option package for all Chevelles. Bigger news: Chevy’s COPO Chevelles – sleeper cars – attained 103 mph. Biggest news: they’re still out there. You can find the Super Sport on the top of a muscle car list. How many of these Chevelle COPO 427's were built? Only 323 in 1969.
AMC AMX
Available in three models – base, “Big Bad,” and SS – the 1969 AMX was ascetic and burly: 420 horses, no A/C and a fearsome attitude.
Ford Mustang
For 1969, Ford unleashed a potent batch of mustangs: a 428 Super Cobra Jet, Boss 302 and a NASCAR-ready Boss 429, capable of 429-hp. Ponies no more, there were full-grown ‘Stangs.
My muscle car list did not stop when I got to ten, so I added two more of the most popular 1969 muscle cars for good measure. These classic cars are still a treat to see on the road.
Ford Fairlane Torino Talladega
The upscale Fairlane Torino Talladegas were a departure from traditional drag-strip performance. Aerodynamics, sporty suspensions and a 328-hp 428 V8 prepared these cars for the challenging curvy road.
Oldsmobile Hurst/Olds
500 lb-feet of axle-snapping torque says it all. It was locked beneath a white hood, accented with Firefrost Gold stripes, which sported a dual-snout scoop.
Really, who wants a Toyota Prius when you can have one of these beauties that are at the top of the list of 1969 muscle cars?
