Back to the future

PITSTOP

The American automobile industry might be down and out today, but there was a time when it wasn't like this. Way back in the sixties, Motown was in its heyday. Muscle cars ruled the streets and back then if you didn't have a rumbling V8 you would be charged with indecency.

However, if the recently concluded Detroit motorshow is anything to go by, then America is headed for better days, because two of the big three manufacturers are bringing back cars that were way too good to be left in motoring history books. So while GM is bringing back the Camaro, Chrysler is doing the same with the Challenger.

Borrowing the look of the 1969 original, plus a few bits of the Corvette and other styling icons, the Camaro looks production-ready. It has the classic proportions "" a long hood, short rear deck and wide stance "" to make sure you don't mistake it for anything else but the Camaro when it hits the road. Power from a 400 hp aluminium small-block V8 is sent to the rear wheels via a six-speed manual transmission.

The classic comeback from Chrysler is the Dodge Challenger. The bad boy's muscle car of the 1970s, the 21st century Challenger is based on the same platform as the Chrysler 300C, but it's aggression personified. It features the classic crossbar Dodge grille and deeply recessed quad headlamps.

Muscle power comes from a 425 hp 6100cc Hemi V8 monster that goes to the rear wheels. Though it's longer and wider than the original, the overall proportions have been retained. And while we absolutely love these cars, we just can't imagine how they could stop making them in the first place.