1970s–1980s
Muscle & Malaise Era
Raw Power Meets Changing Times
The 1970s opened with the most powerful production cars ever built — then the oil crisis and emissions regulations changed everything. This era captures both extremes: the last of the true muscle cars and the survivors that adapted. Nine carefully chosen vehicles tell the full story of American performance through one of its most turbulent decades.
Grand Rapids Classics Auto Museum · Mon–Sat 9AM–5PM
Muscle & Malaise Era Collection
9 Click any car to see full details, history, and photos
1970
Chevrolet Chevelle SS LS6
Numbers-matching, factory SS LS6 454/450-HP V-8 example
1970
Ford Mustang Boss 302
1 of 7,014 Boss 302s produced — documented by an Elite Marti Report
1970
Mercury Cougar Eliminator Coupe
Formerly displayed in the Lingenfelter Collection
1970
Plymouth 440-4 Superbird
As seen on Richard Rawlings's Gas Monkey Garage YouTube Channel
1971
Chevrolet Camaro Z28
1 of just 4,862 Z28s built in 1971
1975
Chevrolet Corvette StingRay
Classic American sports car
1975
Volkswagen 23 Window Bus
One of the most recognizable vehicles ever made
1980
Duesenberg II Speedster
1 of just 71 Duesenberg IIs built — formerly owned by Tom Monahan, founder of Domino's Pizza
1983
Chevrolet C20 Brown Sugar
Featured at the 2019 SEMA show
See These Cars in Person
Grand Rapids Classics Auto Museum is open Monday through Saturday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM in Cutlerville, Grand Rapids, Michigan.