There’s been an ongoing battle between collector car enthusiasts that’s become fairly famous. For decades, auto lovers have argued about which is America’s ultimate muscle car—the Chevrolet^® Camaro or the Ford^® Mustang. Charlotte AutoFair, a biannual auto show in North Carolina, has put together a guide to highlight the history of these two famous automobiles. 

Camaro 

First introduced in 1966, the Chevrolet Camaro created quite a buzz. The first generation was designed specially to be a contender to Ford’s Mustang. According to the company, the name Camaro was inspired by the French word “camarade,” meaning friends. It quickly became the apple of many auto enthusiasts’ eye; its 375 horsepower V-8 engine made it a worthy competitor to every other muscle car on the market. 

The second generation of Camaros came in 1970. Due to new fuel economy and emissions requirements, its legendary horsepower dropped down to 160. However, this didn’t stop collector car enthusiasts from singing its praises. The sleek and aerodynamic design made it a continuous best-seller. Its engine performance didn’t pick up again until the SS model in 1996, which offered more than 300 horsepower. However, this didn’t prevent it from becoming one of America’s best-selling vehicles of all time. 

Mustang 

When the Ford Mustang hit the consumer market in 1964, it sold a record-breaking 22,000 vehicles on its first day. Its peak engine performance arrived in 1971, when the Mustang 429 Cobra Jet was introduced, which boasted a 375 horsepower engine. Sales remained consistent throughout its history, due to its unique body style, featuring an elongated hood and short trunk. 

It wasn’t until the early 2000s when the Mustang saw a return to the speeds and engine capacity that first made it famous, clocking in at nearly 450 horsepower in 2011. At that time, Ford also decided to bring back its retro design, making it exceptional in both speed and style. 

While collector car enthusiasts are passionate about Mustangs and Camaros, it’s not hard to see why. If you want to see some of these models in person, visit Charlotte AutoFair in the spring or fall. To find out more information, call them today at (704) 841-1990, or visit their website for a complete schedule of events.