Journal: Select a Replica from Detroit's Muscle Heyday

Select a Replica from Detroit’s Muscle Heyday

By Petrolicious
May 1, 2013

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

Click here for the Mustang details.

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John Harvi
John Harvi
11 years ago

It has to be the Camaro every time. Much nicer car for me. I’d prefer a 68 but any would be welcome on my drive!

LilBastard
LilBastard
11 years ago

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.

Andreas Lavesson
Andreas Lavesson
11 years ago

[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.

Rip Curl
Rip Curl
11 years ago

The moment the word ‘replica’ comes up my interest dies to zero in an instant. To my mind replicas are worthless and I would rather drive a real Toyota Corolla than any of these cars. That said ‘if’ the cars were the real deal I would go for the Camaro based purely on looks.

Brett Evans
Brett Evans
11 years ago

Mustang for the money, for sure. I guess if money were no object, I’d consider the Camaro, although I really like the sharknose of the Mustang and the fantastic-ugly wood interior, haha. It’d just be very hard to say no to the performance and sleeper aspect of the Camaro. It’d be fun to dust a new Porsche in a car that looks about as mean as a Chevy Biscayne.

Craig Brooks
Craig Brooks
11 years ago

sadly both handle like cats on freshly waxed floors on anything but a straight line…so based on looks alone I would have the camaro…

Leucea Alexandru
Leucea Alexandru
11 years ago

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.

Sid Widmer
Sid Widmer
11 years ago

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…..

Ryan Lopez
Ryan Lopez
11 years ago

camaro only because that is an ugly mustang and it most likely makes more power
the mustang is like a kardashin and the camaro is a hard beer that will kick you in the ass

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