The difference between US and UK muscle cars is big, but only one country makes them properly

When it comes to muscle cars, both the US and the UK have produced some icons of the genre.

America is responsible for legendary models with aggressive styling and raw power.

Meanwhile, the UK’s offerings are quintessentially British – refined, compact, with a focus on precision.

Both have left their mark on automotive history, but only one country truly owns this sector of classic cars.

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The difference between UK and US muscle cars

The classic muscle car has a charm that has captured every generation, from Boomers to Gen Z’s.

The style is most commonly associated with the US, where the holy trinity of muscle carmakers hail from.

That said, the UK has produced its fair share of classic muscle, including the Jensen Interceptor and the ultra-rare Ford Capri.

Both UK and US-made cars have aggressive lines and powerful engines, but there are a few key features that set each country apart.

The roads in the UK are significantly smaller than in America, which is reflected in the size of their cars.

UK classic cars are more refined and compact, while American builds are typically bigger, able to take advantage of the wider US roads.

British carmakers were concerned with quality, from the tuning to the style of the side mirrors.

This led to their cars being more expensive than American builds.

That’s not to say the US wasn’t about quality, of course, but American makers placed more importance on performance and the technical side of things.

This resulted in ultra-durable cars, like the Plymouth Fury driven by a taxi driver for 1,621,591 miles.

Americans prioritized impressive horsepower for drag racing, and UK manufacturers placed equal value on responsiveness and comfort in all conditions.

Additionally, UK performance cars had smaller engines, while their American counterparts had big displacement engines, usually large V8s.

Who makes the ultimate muscle car?

When it comes to a muscle car, there’s no room for politeness.

This is why the brute force of the US trumps the refinement of the UK, every time.

When thinking of cars that define the genre, they’re all American classics.

From a Dodge Challenger to a Shelby GT500 to the Buick Grand National, no one does it quite like the US.

And these cars aren’t just modes of transport; they’re a cultural phenomenon.

Muscle cars represent rebellion, freedom and racing on the open road, and what could be more American than that?

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