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We at Petrolicious HQ aren’t only into classic European cars, we also love a good muscle car from time-to-time—particularly rare, limited-production, and/or ridiculously powerful models. With prices for original, matching-numbers, high-end muscle reaching the outer stratosphere, though, we don’t typically have a problem with well-executed replicas based on lesser models of the same vintage. It’s in that spirit that we present to you this week two such replicas, a Mustang and a Camaro—the greatest of all Detroit cross-town rivals.
First up is a ’68 Shelby GT500 clone Mustang, resplendent in correct trim and sequential Mercury Cougar taillights. Under the vented and pinned-down hood resides a Police Interceptor-sourced 428, as you’d find in an original car before the 500KR supplanted it with the Cobra Jet 428 early in the model year. With more black vinyl than a leather jacket sale at Kmart and more wood paneling than an LTD wagon, the interior couldn’t possibly be more of its time—we dig it, and relish the idea of twirling that big, brown wheel and stirring four big, strong gears with its spindly, chromed stick.
Next up is a COPO Camaro tribute based on a 1969 base model car. COPO stood for “Central Office Production Order”, and provided a way of speccing non-standard equipment for GM executives or dealerships that held a lot of pull with Detroit. Equipped with an all-aluminum 427 ZL-1, its 597 HP is said to propel the shiny orange beast through a sub-11 second, 144 MPH ¼ mile—that’s Bugatti Veyron territory. In contrast to the Mustang’s flash, detail-heavy style, this Camaro offers little in the way of visual distraction, and is fitted with simple body-colored wheels with small hub caps and absolutely no body addenda—it could almost be considered a sleeper if it weren’t for the thundering rumble it no doubt emits.
Which stirs your coffee?
1969 Chevrolet Camaro
Click here for the Camaro details.
1968 Ford Mustang GT
Ok, I was surprised to see so many commenters leaning to the Camaro–until I looked at the “detail” eBay ads–
I had a ’69 Camaro and would have happily traded it for a fastback Shelby–or Boss 302–
On looks alone.
Then I see the interiors and the underside of theses two specific cars—
Yeah– the Camaro hands down.
Looks like the Mustang guy did the easy stuff where the Camaro guy did it all.
Sometimes genes just aren’t enough.
[b]Short answer:[/b] After much consideration, I’d go for the Mustang.
[b]Long answer:[/b] For the first time in a versus, I am just about unable to choose. I know that’s a dull answer, but I’m afraid it’s the truth. My cravings for cars tend to vary greatly and at this moment, I’m yearning more for classic European sports cars, but I’ve had quite a few muscle car periods and I really know what I want. Sadly though, both of these are on the list (albeit preferably the real deal).
I’ve always loved the first gen Camaro since the first time I saw it and while Z/28 is more my thing, you can’t go wrong with a whooping big 427. However, the same goes for Mustangs. I like all versions of the first gen, and I like the Shelbys even more. With that 428 PI, I bet it’s got some serious get-up-and-go. That front fascia is absolutely awesome. However, at this point in time I’d rather go for the mpowerfulfull stripper version, aka. the Camaro. Or so I though, until I looked at picturesrues. There’s just something about the Mustang that grabs my attention more.
Although i am a convinced European car lover, i am also into various Japanese cars and few American cars, and the Mustang stands out above any other muscle car, just because it is astonishingly beautiful. Take a look at the Fastback for example, the Shelby or the Boss, they were all brilliant. In every way. I am aware that American Muscle cars are various and there is a rich automotive culture cultivated in people’s hearts for decades, but the Mustang seems to be the flagship of them all. Sorry Chevy, but i’ll climb into the Mustang not only on this one, but on any American Muscle car versus ’till the end of time.
That is a tough choice. I love Shelby Mustangs in all flavors but think the ’68 Shelby’s facia is a little award looking while the 1st gen Camaro & Firebirds are one of the cleanest designs in the history of muscle cars, Especially the ’67-’68. I like my muscle cars to be scrappy and minimalist so ignoring the orange paint, I would lean toward the Camaro. Although, with a little de-blinging I would be happy to drive the Shelby…..