The Ultimate List of Chevy Muscle Cars (1964-1974)

Chevy Muscle Cars—including the Chevelle, Camaro, and Nova—were not only some of the most iconic muscle cars of the era but were also some of the fastest.

Chevrolet burst onto the muscle car scene in 1964 with its all-new A-body Chevelle shortly after the introduction of the Pontiac GTO.

The car was such a hit that it was the company’s second hottest-selling vehicle just three months into its release, accounting for 18 percent of Chevy’s production schedule.

While the Chevelle would remain at the top of many Chevy owner’s lists, the company certainly didn’t stop there with its contributions to the muscle car scene.

The Chevelle Makes a Splash

When the Chevelle was first introduced in 1964, the critics couldn’t get enough of them.

Time magazine described it being “impressed by its clean and handsome styling.”

Automotive News declared “The only complaint about the Chevelle was that dealers couldn’t get enough of them.”

The public certainly agreed, with the Chevelle ending 1964 at the top of the intermediate sales race for the year.

Of those Chevelle’s sold in 1964, nearly 23 percent were Super Sports. Referred to as simply “SS”, the Chevelle Malibu SS was available in both convertible and hardtop forms.

Standard features included bucket seats, a console with floor shifter, a four-gauge instrument cluster and SS wheel covers.

Both six-cylinders and V-8s were available, with the base model of the V-8 being a 195-horse 283 small-block.

Options included two 327 V-8s, the 250-horsepower L30 and the 300-horsepower L74, as well as the 365-horsepower 327 L76.

The strongest small-block option was the 220-horsepower RPO L77 283.

The SS 396 Takes it Up a Notch

Following the success of the Chevelle in 1964, Chevy unleashed the original SS 396 Chevelle the following year.

With its Z16 package, the car found its way to high-profile celebrities, members of the press, and other VIPs. Only 200 Z16 Malibu hardtops and one convertible were built that year.

For those who could afford it, the Z16 offered both power and the new Chevrolet AM/FM Multiplex stereo with four speakers.

This prompted Mechanix Illustrated to say…

“There’s nothing in this world…like slipping down the turnpike being belted in the back by 375 horsepower and in the ear by 4-speed Bach-power.”

The Camaro Makes its First Appearance

As though the success of the Chevelle was not enough, Chevy released its first Camaro just 3 years later in 1967.

Paired with Chevy’s new small-block, the entire package was listed under RPO L48 and identified as the “Camaro SS w/295hp Turbo-Fire 350 cubic-inch engine”.

Options included new front disc brakes and the Z22 Rally Sport group.

With the 375-horsepower L78 Mk IV V-8 available as an option, the Camaro was the undisputed leader of the pony car pack in 1967.

The Camaro Gets a New Face

Following minor changes in the years following its introduction, the Camaro got a new look in 1970.

Considered by many to be one of the best years for the Camaro, the 1970 version featured a sleek, sexy design coupled with an improved chassis and standard front discs.

Meanwhile, the Z28 now featured the Corvette’s 360-horsepower LT-1 small-block.

At the same time, the Monte Carlo SS made its first appearance in 1970.

With the full stable of cars available, it was clear that Chevy planned to stick around on the muscle car scene for as long as it could.

However, by the time 1974 muscle cars arrived four years later, Chevy Muscle Cars were all but a thing of the past.

Like all auto manufacturers of the time, Chevy’s were bogged down by more emissions, smaller motors, and less horsepower.

Times were changing due to gas shortages and rising insurance costs of performance muscle cars.

The Chevy muscle cars produced in 1974 were nearly unrecognizable compared to their performance-oriented predecessors just a brief decade earlier.

They were much bigger, less powerful, and far slower.

Ultimate List of Chevy Muscle Cars

Here is the full list of muscle cars from Chevrolet during 1964-1974, including pony cars, mid-sized muscle cars, full-sized muscle cars, and sports cars.

Well, there you have the ultimate list of Chevy Muscle Cars from 1964-1974. Be sure to subscribe to see more content like this!

Ryan

Ryan has owned muscle cars since 1986 and currently owns a 1972 Dodge Charger Rallye. He combines passion and experience to create engaging content for fellow muscle car enthusiasts. In 2018, he founded Muscle Cars Illustrated, authoring hundreds of articles on tips, history, and trends in the muscle car industry. He attends national car shows, auctions, and museums to stay current with the latest developments in the muscle car industry.

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