The idea of installing a powerful engine in a post WWII mid-size car was introduced in 1957. The American Motors (AMC) Rebel showcased AMC?s new 327 in³ V8 255 hp with a 4 barrel carburetor (fuel injection was to be optional), thus making it the first American factory hot-rod hardtop sedan. The Rambler Rebel came with a manual or automatic transmission, and dual exhaust. The Rebel was promoted as the fastest four-door car in America from 0-60 mph and ran the quarter mile in 17.0 seconds. It was one of the quickest production automobiles at that time.

The popularity of the muscle car grew in the 1960s. Among these was the Pontiac Tempest. For 1964 and 1965, the GTO was an option package that included Pontiac's 389 in³ (6.5 L) V8 engine, floor-shifted transmission with Hurst shift linkage, and special trim. In 1966, the Pontiac GTO was no longer an option, and became its own model. The project, spearheaded by Pontiac division president John De Lorean, was technically a violation of General Motors policy limiting its smaller cars to 330 in³ (5.4 L) displacement, but it proved far more popular than expected, and inspired a host of imitations, both at GM and its competitors.

This marked a general trend towards factory performance, which reflected the importance of the youth market. A key appeal of the muscle cars was that they offered the burgeoning American car culture an array of relatively affordable vehicles with strong street performance that could also be used for racing. The affordability aspect was quickly compromised by increases in size, optional equipment, and plushness, forcing the addition of more and more powerful engines just to keep pace with performance. A backlash against this cost and weight growth led in 1967 and 1968 to a secondary trend of "budget muscle" in the form of the Plymouth Road Runner, Dodge Super Bee, and other stripped, lower-cost variants.

Although the sales of true muscle cars were relatively modest by total Detroit standards, they had considerable value in publicity and bragging rights, serving to bring young buyers into showrooms. Automakers saw these as halo models and some, such as the AMC Rebel Machine, were factory upgraded to be turn-key drag racers. The 1970 Machine even came with flamboyant and patriotic red, white, and blue reflective body graphics for maximum street and racetrack visibility. The fierce competition led to an escalation in power that peaked in 1970, with some models offering as much as 450 hp (and others likely producing as much actual power, whatever their rating).

The Dodge Charger, known for its appearance as the villan's vehicle in the movie BullittAnother related type of car is the car-based pickup. Examples of these are the Ford Ranchero, GMC Sprint, GMC Caballero, and one of the most famous examples, the Chevrolet El Camino.

Ford Ranger: Still the Quality Truck
Terry Brown
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Available in several trim levels that comprise of the XL, the STX, tee XLT, the SPORT, the FX4, and the FX4 Level II, the 2006 Ford Ranger is a compact pick up truck. This vehicle shows off a passenger capacity of three. For eighteen years, and still counting, the Ford Ranger has been dubbed and noted as the best selling compact pickup in the United States. The R.L. Polk and Company has given this vehicle the award for the highest ownership loyalty in five consecutive years. For this year, the 2006 Ford Ranger sports a more aggressive look coupled with a bolder and a more athletic appearance.

Auto enthusiasts loved the Ford Ranger upon its introduction and public debut in 1982. The Ford Motor Company introduced this pickup truck and the enthusiasts came flocking in. They were mostly after quality vehicles and the Ford Ranger was what they wanted. For years, the Ford Ranger has been crafted and sold with sporty and impressive looks that is just like the first Ford Ranger introduced more than a decade ago.

The present Ford Ranger holds design changes that include revised bumper colors, a horizontal grille insert, rugged fender flares, clear-lens parking lamps, new tail lamps, new fog lamps, a 9-inch Ford oval mounted on the grille and tailgate, and a Ranger windshield logo. It comes with a 2.3 liter engine with four cylinders. New color choices for this vehicle include screaming yellow clearcoat, torch red clearcoat, and redfire clearcoat metallic. Additional options for this vehicle include two 15-inch Alcoa forged aluminum wheels, body-color side moldings, as well as new packages. Its exterior motif holds equipment and features like an aggressive valance and power-dome hood structure as well as a nostril grille. These are very much consistent with the rest of the Ford truck lineup. The interior boasts of a sporty feel and functionality. The Ford Ranger has seats with sculpted bolster and seatbacks for comfort and support. There also are optional sport bucket seats, leather-trimmed seating surfaces as well as a steel wheel trimmed and wrapped in leather.

Great changes and upgrades were considered to be milestones for the Ford Ranger. Those that made waves included the 1965 use of the Ranger name as a styling package for the F-Series pickup trucks. For 1981, the plans for this vehicle model were unveiled and presented in an auto show. The following year, the Ford Ranger came rolling off the assembly line and into the streets. A year after driving its way to the market, the Ford Ranger's V6 makes it as Off-Road magazine's 4x4 Truck of the Year. It was also named Ranger 4x4 of the year by the 4-Wheel and Off-Road magazine in the year 1986. It also was selected as Pickup of the Year by the Truckin' magazine in 1993. Come 2003, the Rocky Mountain Automotive Press decides to give to the Ford Ranger the award for the Best Compact Pickup of the Rockies.

Auto Parts Information renews its commitment in delivering superbly crafted Ford Ranger parts and Ford parts with its impressive array of stocks at its online store. This company boasts of impressive and quality parts like A/C condensers, radiators, hubcaps, and floor mats among many others. These parts are the best in the industry.

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