Muscle Car Owners: 59 Demographic Facts & Numbers [2023]

Demographics behind muscle car ownership reveal fascinating insights about the preferences of these car enthusiasts, such as age, gender, income, and education.

In this blog post, we’ll explore some of the key demographics behind muscle car ownership in the United States.

Let’s dive in!

Please note, for some of the data we have based the numbers on sports car demographics where we couldn’t find data for muscle cars specifically.

Quick Demographic Facts About Muscle Car Owners

80% of muscle car owners are men. The largest age group is 45 and 64 years old, while the majority of owners have an annual income of over $50,000. Additionally, the majority of muscle car owners are White, followed by African American, with smaller percentages of Hispanic and Asian owners.

• The average age of muscle car buyers is over 50 years old
• In the 24-and-under age group, less than 1% of all car buyers purchase muscle cars
• The US muscle car market reached up to $15 billion in 2020
• Experts expect the muscle car market to grow over 25% to $18.77 billion by 2024

These demographic facts show that muscle car ownership tends to lean towards an older age group, and the market for these vehicles continues to grow steadily.

Age Demographics for Muscle Car Owners

Median age for Dodge Challenger buyers: 51 years old

The numbers indicate that muscle car buyers tend to skew towards an older demographic, particularly for car brands such as Buick, while Dodge Challenger buyers have a slightly younger median age.

Gender Demographics for Muscle Car Owners

• In the United States, men are more likely to own cars than women.
• 80% of sports cars, which include muscle cars, are owned by men, leaving 20% for women.
• Men represented over 60% of new car buyers in the United States between September 2020 and August 2021.
• Women represented 40% of new car buyers during the same period.

These statistics indicate that muscle car ownership, like sports car ownership, tends to be male-dominated.

However, it is important to recognize that there is still a significant portion of women who own and enjoy muscle cars, keeping the market diverse and growing.

Ethnicity Demographics for Muscle Car Owners

• White sports car owners comprise the majority of the customer base, making up 58.5% of the market.
• African American or Black individuals represent 20% of sports car buyers.
• Hispanic or Latinx buyers account for 10% of the demographic.
• In terms of ethnicity, Dodge buyers are approximately 55% white, 30% Hispanic or Latinx, 10% African American or Black, and 5% Asian or Pacific Islander.

It is evident that sports car and muscle car ownership is diverse, spread across various ethnic groups, with White individuals representing the largest share of buyers, followed by African American, Hispanic, and Latinx individuals.

Education Level Demographics for Muscle Car Owners

• A significant percentage of muscle car owners have completed post-secondary education, with many holding bachelor’s degrees or higher.
• High school graduates also make up a sizable portion of the muscle car enthusiast demographic, showing a wide range of educational backgrounds within this group.

Due to limited data specifically on muscle car owners’ education level, it’s difficult to provide exact numbers. Nonetheless, the diverse educational backgrounds highlight the widespread appeal of muscle cars, transcending various socio-economic groups and educational achievements.

Average Income Level for Muscle Car Owners

Age distribution also plays a role in muscle car ownership:

• • Buyers within the 25 to 54 age group account for the majority of muscle car purchases, constituting more than 50% in most segments of the automotive industry.

These data points suggest that muscle car owners likely belong to higher income brackets and tend to be middle-aged. Exploring further details on demographic trends could help industry players and enthusiasts better understand target markets and areas for growth.

Other Interesting Facts About Muscle Car Owners

1. The first muscle car was the 1949 Oldsmobile Rocket 88.
2. The Ford Mustang was introduced in 1964 and is considered to be the first true muscle car.
3. The Chevrolet Camaro was introduced in 1966 as a direct competitor to the Ford Mustang.
4. The Plymouth Barracuda was the first pony car, introduced in 1964.
5. The Pontiac GTO was introduced in 1964 and is often credited with starting the muscle car trend.
6. The most powerful muscle car ever made is the 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon, which produces 840 horsepower and 770 lb-ft of torque.
7. Muscle cars are known for their straight-line speed and acceleration, with some models capable of going from 0-60 mph in less than 4 seconds.
8. Muscle cars have a devoted fan base and a thriving collector market, with some models selling for millions of dollars at auction.
9. The average price of a new muscle car in 2021 is around $40,000.
10. Muscle cars are often associated with drag racing, and the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) is the governing body for drag racing in the United States.
11. The popularity of muscle cars waned in the 1970s due to increasing fuel prices and emissions regulations.
12. In recent years, muscle cars have seen a resurgence in popularity, with many modern versions paying homage to classic models.
13. The Ford Mustang has been in continuous production since 1964, making it the longest-running muscle car model.
14. The Chevrolet Camaro has been in production on and off since 1966.
15. The Dodge Charger was first introduced in 1966 and is often associated with the muscle car era.
16. The Pontiac Firebird was introduced in 1967 and was closely related to the Chevrolet Camaro.
17. The AMC Javelin was introduced in 1967 and is considered to be one of the lesser-known muscle cars of the era.
18. The Buick GSX was one of the fastest muscle cars of the era, with a top speed of over 120 mph.
19. The Plymouth Road Runner was a budget muscle car designed to appeal to younger buyers.
20. The Shelby GT500 was introduced in 1967 and is one of the most sought-after muscle cars today.
21. The Hemi engine, introduced by Chrysler in 1964, is one of the most famous muscle car engines of all time.
22. The 1970 Chevelle SS 454 is one of the most iconic muscle cars ever made, with a top speed of 130 mph.
23. The 1970 Pontiac GTO Judge is one of the most collectible muscle cars ever made, with only 168 built.
24. The 1969 Dodge Charger Daytona was one of the first cars designed specifically for NASCAR racing.
25. The 1970 Plymouth Superbird was a high-performance version of the Road Runner designed for NASCAR racing.
26. The Ford Torino was introduced in 1968 and was available in a high-performance version called the Torino Cobra.
27. The AMC Rebel was introduced in 1967 and was one of the few muscle cars to offer a station wagon body style.
28. The Mercury Cougar was introduced in 1967 and was closely related to the Ford Mustang.
29. The Oldsmobile 442 was one of the fastest muscle cars of the era, with a top speed of over 130 mph.
30. The muscle car era came to an end in the early 1970s due to rising fuel prices, emissions regulations, and the introduction of smaller, more efficient cars.

These facts provide a snapshot of the muscle car culture and its impact on automotive enthusiasts throughout the decades.

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