What classifies a car as a sports car, and is a Ford Mustang considered a sports car or a muscle car?
A Ford Mustang is an American sports car that has been in continuous production since 1964 and is the current longest-running Ford model in production. The Mustang is credited with kicking off the muscle car era from 1965 to 1973.
For insurance purposes, the Ford Mustang is considered a sports car which will usually mean you’ll pay more for insurance for a Mustang than a similarly sized family car.
There are quite a few questions concerning Mustangs, sports cars, and what differentiates between a sports car and a muscle car.
Below we will look over some different models of the Ford Mustang, insurance on a Mustang, and some FAQs, and hopefully answer any questions you have.
1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1 Muscle Car
Is The Ford Mustang A Sports Or A Muscle Car?
The Ford Mustang is generally considered both a sports car and a muscle car.
According to Merriam-Webster the term "Muscle Car" was first brought into common parlance in 1966 and is defined as "any of a group of American-made 2-door sports coupes with powerful engines designed for high-performance driving."
What is a Muscle Car?
To put simply, muscle cars are a form of a sports car.
The term sports car is broader while the term muscle car is more specific, so even though all muscle cars are sports cars, not all sports cars are muscle cars.
The first thing to pop into the mind of a car enthusiast when the term "muscle car" is used is a large American sports car with a high-displacement high-horsepower V8 engine from the late sixties and early seventies.
The first muscle car era ended in the mid-seventies due to a few different factors:
Clean Air Act: lead was removed from gasoline, and the octane rating of gasoline was lowered from 100 to 91, which led to required lower compression engines
Fuel Crisis: The OPEC oil cartel proclaimed an oil embargo on the United States, among other western countries, causing gas prices to climb and reducing demand for high-horsepower low gas mileage engines.
To be considered a muscle car, the car should have a V8 engine, so a Ford Mustang with a V6 is not considered a muscle car.
Two Ford Mustangs and a Chevrolet Camaro Muscle Cars
Is A Mustang Gt A Sports Car? Is A V6 Mustang A Sports Car?
All Ford Mustangs are considered sports cars, even the V6 models.
For example, in 2021, Ford Mustang held the title of best-selling sports car for the second year in a row.
Is A Ford Mustang Considered A Sports Car For Insurance Purposes?
Is a Ford Mustang a sports car on insurance? Unfortunately for your wallet, the answer is yes.
One of the most important consequences of being labeled a sports car are the higher insurance premiums.
Most, if not all, insurers consider the Mustang to be a sports car regardless of trim or engine size.
Modern 2011 Ford Mustang Muscle Car
Factors That Determine Between A Sports Car And A Muscle Car (And How They Relate To The Ford Mustang)
While there are few differences between muscle and sports cars, one thing they both share is speed.
American manufacturers always produce muscle cars while foreign and American companies produce sports cars.
The main difference between these two vehicle types is their engine: muscle cars have a V8 engine, or better, while a sports car engine can have a 4-cylinder or 6-cylinder engine and an 8-cylinder engine.
A muscle car is often considered a straight-ahead drag strip car, while a sports car may not be as fast on a straight line but can brake and handle better, making it better suited for a race track.
Plus, sports cars don't use up as much gas as muscle cars with smaller engines and lighter bodies.
A Porsche 911 is considered a sports car but not a muscle car
Another important difference between sports and muscle cars is their design: muscle cars are made to be bold and stocky, whereas sports cars are often designed to be sleek and lightweight.
Conclusion
Well, there you have it!
If you've ever wondered about Mustangs and whether or not they are sports cars or muscle cars, you should now have your answer.
While they are mostly considered muscle cars due to their engine size and build, they are also sports cars, and insurers will always list them as sports cars when listed on monthly insurance and any claims made.
Regardless, a Mustang is a great car to have.
Not only does it perform well, but it is also an affordable option for those in the market for a new car.
However, insurance prices can be pretty high.
FAQ
Is A Chevrolet Camaro A Sports Car Or Luxury Car?
Much like the Ford Mustang, the Chevrolet Camaro is considered a sports and muscle car, not a luxury car.
This is because it comes equipped with two powerful V8 engines, which deliver an outstandingly high performance that matches most muscle cars.
While the Chevrolet Camaro is a muscle car, it is quite expensive to insure with the cost to insure a 2021 model at around $2,612 per year.
References
https://media.ford.com
https://www.steverogersford.com
https://www.carinsurancecomparison.com