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What's more American than a muscle car? (concept car Friday)

This week's oddball concept car is a modern take on American muscle. So, did we pick a Ford, a Chevy, or a Dodge?

Antuan Goodwin Reviews Editor / Cars
Antuan Goodwin gained his automotive knowledge the old fashioned way, by turning wrenches in a driveway and picking up speeding tickets. From drivetrain tech and electrification to car audio installs and cabin tech, if it's on wheels, Antuan is knowledgeable.
Expertise Reviewing cars and car technology since 2008 focusing on electrification, driver assistance and infotainment Credentials
  • North American Car, Truck and SUV of the Year (NACTOY) Awards Juror
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Antuan Goodwin
2 min read
Robert D.

More than trucks, more than minivans and SUVs, I believe that there's no better vehicular representation of America than the muscle car. However, with muscle cars come deep seeded loyalties to and rivalries among the three manufacturers and their respective vehicles. Specifically, we're talking about Ford's Mustang, Dodge's Challenger, and Chevrolet's Camaro. In a recent episode of Car Tech Live, we three hosts were asked which modern muscle car we'd each have and came up with three very different answers. Rather than spend our Independence Day weekend arguing over which is best, we've decided to feature... well, we're not sure what to call it.

Over the course of four months, modeler Robert D. hacked up at least three model kits, taking what he considered to be the best parts of the three most modern American muscle cars, and combined them to form the Flashback, a sort of Frankenstein tribute to Detroit muscle. With the front fascia and hood of a Challenger mounted onto the body of of Chevrolet's Camaro, Robert then grafted the tail end of the Ford Mustang onto the beast. After skillfully sanding and painting, the Flashback was completed. The result is either a unique melding of three very different automotive worlds or a testament to how similar these three vehicles' aesthetics actually are.

Personally, I'd like to see a Ford nose on a Dodge body with a Chevy tail, but beggars ought not be choosers.
Personally, I'd like to see a Ford nose on a Dodge body with a Chevy tail, but beggars ought not be choosers. Robert D./Model Cars Magazine Forum

As a modified scale model kit, the Flashback doesn't actually have an engine or power train. We're not even going to speculate as to what we think should live under its hood (ahem, Ford 5.0L Coyote V8, ahem) for fear of reigniting the muscle car flame war. Let's just enjoy this rare moment of automotive unity. Happy Fourth of July!

(Source: Model Cars Magazine Forum via Autoblog)