Muscle cars are fast, fun ways to go from place to place. Indeed, the best muscle cars are finely tooled machines, says muscle car fan and Gaston County, NC, resident Michael Salvadore Lynch Jr. 

Here are his favorites.

1. 1964 Pontiac GTO 389 Tri-Power

The top of the list for Michael Salvadore Lynch Jr. is the 1964 Pontiac GTO 389 Tri-power, which started the muscle car era and performed amazingly well. It featured triple carburetors giving 348bhp, wide wheels, and a four-speed manual gearbox. Its 389 cubic inch (6.4-liter) V8 engine went from 0 to 60 mph, a full second faster than a regular GTO.

2. 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS

Chevrolet introduced its first muscle car in 1964, but the Pontiac GTO outperformed it. So Chevrolet introduced the SS with a 454 cubic inch (7.5-liter) V8 engine. The engine was capable of up to 500 lb-ft of torque. It went from 0 to 60 mph in less than 5 seconds. It was also edgy, with a low stance, side louvers, and aggressive lines.

3. 1970 Plymouth Cuda 426 Hemi

Plymouth introduced its limited edition 1970 Cuda 426 Hemi to compete with the Mustang and Camaro. The Hemi descended from the Barracuda but had a larger engine, a 425 cubic-inch V8. It had a shorter body, a shaker hood, and a large split-front grille. The car also offered a super track pack, which included a Dana 60 rear end with 4.10 gearing.

4. 1967 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28

Chevrolet launched the sleek, sporty Camaro coupe to compete with the Ford Mustang. Although Chevrolet built the car on the Nova platform, it had muscle car amenities, including the option for a 396 cubic inch V8 engine, producing up to 375bhp. The Z/28 model also featured front disc brakes, a heavy-duty four-speed manual transmission, racing stripes, and upgraded suspension.

5. 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 429

Several Ford Mustang models from the 1960s are among anyone’s list of top muscle cars. However, Michael Salvadore Lynch Jr. chose the 1969 Boss 429 because collectors seek it in large numbers today. Restored versions sell for more than $300,000. Ford built only 1,326 of these models, with a single four-barrel carburetor rated at 735 CFM. The car also features aluminum cylinder heads and a high-performing four-speed transmission.