The World of Speed is a motorsports museum located in Wilsonville, Oregon. The museum features about 100 vehicles as well as educational exhibits on motorsports. The Museum’s exhibits change regularly, and they recently had an exhibit featuring muscle cars.
While the 1950s had been the era of the rocket-styled automobiles, the 1960s introduced the concept of muscle cars in which big engines in smaller cars appealed to younger, speed-oriented buyers.
Ford’s iconic muscle car—the Mustang—didn’t start out as a muscle car. It was affordable and stylish, but it started out with a small engine. According to the Museum display:
“Ford benefited tremendously from the work of legendary auto designer Carroll Shelby, whose Shelby Mustangs were some of the most desired cars on the market. To this day, Ford uses the Shelby name for the highest-performance Mustangs it sells.”
1969 Boss 429 Mustang
This car is powered by the 429 cubic-inch semi-hemi “crescent head” which is commonly known as the “shotgun engine.” According to the Museum display:
“While the Boss 429 proved itself to be a very able competitor on the NASCAR track, and hot-rodders could tune the engine to make it fearsome on the drag strip, it wasn’t a great car for normal everyday driving.”
1968 Mercury Cougar GT-E
According to the Museum display:
“The Cougar GT-E was the Mustang’s wealthier older brother; it was a muscle car for buyers who wanted to not just ride fast, but ride comfortably.”
1968 Shelby Mustang GT500
According to the Museum display:
“The Mustang was already a car that would go down in the annals of history, but the ones built by race driver and legendary car designer Carroll Shelby are especially renowned.”
1969 Ford Torino Talladega
According to the Museum display:
“Named for the famed Alabama race track, the limited-edition Talladega reflects Ford’s storied NASCAR heritage. Ford engineers started with the popular Torino was a base, and built a car designed to leave the competition in its dust.”
1970 Ford Torino SCJ
According to the Museum display:
“One look at the 1970 Torino, with its low-angle windshield and nearly seamless fastback roofline and rear window, tells you all you needed to know: This car was built to go fast.”