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 Exp: The Ford of the Roaring ‘80s
Chuck Smith

There are only quite a small number of automobile companies and manufacturers that has been able to overcome the challenges – different lifestyles and bigger plus better competition – that the changing world offered. And among these counted few, the Ford Motor Company is one of those.

Starting its humble beginnings back to the year 1903, the Ford Motor Company still has been able to continue in the automotive world as one of its major players and manufacturers. Founded by Henry Ford that year during the first coupe of years of that millennium, the company has been able to manufacture and create the classic Ford Model T. Although the coming of the Second World War proved to be a hindrance for the continued manufacturing of vehicles from this company, the end of the said event was considered to be a fresh beginning for Ford. At present, the company has crafted vehicles and has also the hold over other vehicle brands like the Ford, the Lincoln, the Mercury, the Aston Martin, the Jaguar, the Volvo, and the Land Rover.

Also, the Ford Motor Company has been successfully tagged and named as the largest automobile manufacturer the world over. It has continued on delivering dependable and classy automobiles to the different markets in the automobile industry. Their vehicles have become classics due to the fact that the vehicles hold a great appeal to the masses and are generally high quality. Even the name, Ford, exceeds a reputation of performance and power.

One of the vehicles that comprise the Ford vehicle line up is the Ford Exp. Most people presume that the Ford Exp is just another name for the Ford Explorer. However, the fact is that it is not and this vehicle is an entirely different one altogether. It certainly also does not look as if it is a Ford Explorer.

This Ford Exp model has been has been crafted and manufactured by the company during the roaring '80s, specifically from the year 1981. This line has lived for seven whole years up until 1988. It is a subcompact car and has succeeded the Ford Thunderbird upon its end of production. It sports two doors and has a two passenger capacity. It is also considered to be the first car of the modern generation that has used and sported the oval symbol of the Ford brand. It shares most of its parts with the Ford Escort. It came equipped with an 80 horsepower engine that was later on upgraded to have a greater capacity of ten horsepower more. Later on, the Ford Exp line has been cut so as to give way to another Ford vehicle, which later came on to be known as the Ford Probe.

Ford Parts Online offers a great selection of aftermarket auto parts, accessories, tools, and maintenance supplies for Ford vehicles and for the Ford Exp parts.

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