In their stock form, muscle cars aren’t typically very good drift cars. That said, those that enjoy the fun of drifting are often found under the hood or chassis of a car, adding modifications and changes to make their drifters. Most muscle cars can become excellent drift cars with a few small changes. The typically soft and unstable suspension, coupled with the high weight, creates a lot of body roll. These qualities must be altered to turn a muscle car into a capable drifter.
Although most muscle cars aren’t the first choice for drifting, many come with an RWD layout, ideal for drifting around a track. These cars can be pushed into oversteer, which is when the rear wheels break traction and begin to slide. The body roll is stabilized with a few essential mods ideal for drifting, and muscle cars can become great drifters.
We’ve collected data from Road & Track, MotorTrend, and Car and Driver to compile a list of 10 muscle cars that can be great for drifting. Some require a few modifications, while others are pretty good with minimal changes.
10 2004 Ford Mustang (SN95): The Drifter’s Choice
0-60 MPH Acceleration: 8.3 seconds
Among modern muscle cars, many drifters turn to the SN95 version of the Ford Mustang which brought us into the early 2000s. This pony car is easy to slide and requires a few upgrades to make it drift well. If you’re looking for a good car for sliding fun, you should be able to find an SN95 Mustang for a low price.
Performance
| 0-60 MPH | 8.3 seconds |
| Top Speed | 150 mph |
| Curb Weight | 3,665 lbs |
| Horsepower | 390 hp |
| Torque | 390 lb-ft |
| Layout | 4.6-liter V-8 |
The strong, naturally aspirated V-8 engine coupled with the RWD layout enables the 2004 Ford Mustang to perform great on the track. Whether you want to turn some fast laps or see how close you can get to cones during a drift course, this Mustang is an excellent choice.
9 2006 Pontiac GTO: A Classic Name Slides Well On A Wet Track
0-60 MPH Acceleration: 4.8 seconds
The final version of the Pontiac GTO could be the right drift car for some fun. The high rear end and pointed front make for an attractive silhouette while sliding around on a wet track, getting as close to the various obstacles as possible.
Performance
| 0-60 MPH | 4.8 seconds |
| Top Speed | 178 mph |
| Curb Weight | 3,777 lbs |
| Horsepower | 400 hp |
| Torque | 400 lb-ft |
| Layout | 6.0-liter V-8 |
The Pontiac GTO offers a classic name in the muscle car world, but the 2006 version is more of a sleeper car than an in-your-face muscle machine. Still, the final generation GTO offers a strong RWD layout and a six-speed manual transmission making it one of the best drifters in the muscle car world.
8 2023 Chevrolet Camaro SS: Big Power And Modern Drifting Muscle
0-60 MPH Acceleration: 4.0 seconds
You could choose a more powerful Chevy Camaro, but it’s not necessary for drifting fun. The SS model is quick, decisive, and set up to be tossed around on a wet track. Add the 1LE Track Package to the 2023 Chevrolet Camaro SS, and you’ll get a highly capable drifting machine.
Performance
| 0-60 MPH | 4.0 seconds |
| Top Speed | 180 mph |
| Curb Weight | 4,120 lbs |
| Horsepower | 455 hp |
| Torque | 455 lb-ft |
| Layout | 6.2-liter V-8 |
The modern-day Camaro is an excellent option for drifting fun, but it might be heavy when tossing it around. The lack of visibility requires a driver to be more aware of the exact size of the car, but this Chevy muscle car looks amazing when tossing about through a drift course.
7 2022 Dodge Challenger R/T: Save A Little Weight With The Smaller Hemi
0-60 MPH Acceleration: 5.0 seconds
The 2022 Dodge Challenger R/T receives power from the smaller 5.7-liter Hem V-8 engine, making it a little lighter than other Challenger models. This can benefit a drifter looking for a great muscle car to toss around on a tight course.
Performance
| 0-60 MPH | 5.0 seconds |
| Top Speed | 155 mph |
| Curb Weight | 4,157 lbs |
| Horsepower | 375 hp |
| Torque | 410 lb-ft |
| Layout | 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 |
Like the Camaro, the Challenger lacks rear visibility, which means the driver needs to be extremely aware of the size and dimensions of this Dodge muscle car while drifting. The Challenger requires modifications to control the body roll, ensuring a stable and controlled drive on any drift course.
6 1969 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28: Serious Aggression For Drifting Fun
0-60 MPH Acceleration: 5.3 seconds
The 1969 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 is one of the most iconic muscle cars of the 1960s. This incredible machine came out of Detroit ready to take on the world and won over the hearts and minds of a crowd with gasoline in their veins. This Camaro was mean and aggressive, but turning it into a drift car takes some work. After a few modifications, this Camaro can be an amazing car to slide around.
Performance
| 0-60 MPH | 5.3 seconds |
| Top Speed | 135 mph |
| Curb Weight | 3,135 lbs |
| Horsepower | 290 hp |
| Torque | 302 lb-ft |
| Layout | 302 cu-in V-8 |
Anyone standing near this Z/28 would be blown away by the sounds and roaring energy of this muscle car. The top speed and sprint time only add to the fun you'll have on a wet track during your next drift competition.
5 1992 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am: A Muscular Drifter Coming Out Of The Flames
0-60 MPH Acceleration: 6.6 seconds
The 1992 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am was the final model in the third generation. This Trans Am brings a powerful engine and is lauded as one of the best muscle cars of its time. The burning phoenix shows strength when tossing the Firebird through a drift course.
Performance
| 0-60 MPH | 6.6 seconds |
| Top Speed | 154 mph |
| Curb Weight | 3,343 lbs |
| Horsepower | 240 hp |
| Torque | 340 lb-ft |
| Layout | 5.7-liter V-8 |
In addition to being one of the fastest muscle cars of the decade, the 1992 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am is also one of the most affordable. Today, you can get your hands on this car for a relatively low price, especially if you find one to rebuild back to its original glory.
4 1965 Ford Mustang GT 289: A Classic Muscle Cars For Drifting Fun
0-60 MPH Acceleration: 5.2 seconds
The 1965 Ford Mustang is an iconic muscle car from the 1960s, that's instantly recognizable everywhere it goes. This speedy pony car can be altered to be fun and tossable on a drift track. Like many other cars from its era, this Mustang has a lot of body roll, which drifters and tuners need to stabilize before heading to the track.
Performance
| 0-60 MPH | 5.2 seconds |
| Top Speed | 128 mph |
| Curb Weight | 2,974 lbs |
| Horsepower | 225 hp |
| Torque | 305 lb-ft |
| Layout | 289 cu-in V-8 |
The 1965 Mustang brings an aggressive nature and classic lines that make it one of the most sought-after cars in the entire world. Some might think it's a mistake to take a classic 1965 Ford Mustang and turn it into a drifting car, but can you imagine how cool this car will look when racing through the obstacles?
3 1992 Chevrolet Camaro Z28: The Forgotten Camaro Looks Great Tossing Up Water
0-60 MPH Acceleration: 6.3 seconds
As much as the Chevy Camaro has been one of the most impressive muscle cars in history, the 1992 model was mostly forgotten. Taking this iconic car to the track could remind onlookers of its amazing performance. Imagine the IROC-Z decal flashing past while the rear comes within inches of obstacles around the drift track.
Performance
| 0-60 MPH | 6.3 seconds |
| Top Speed | 152 mph |
| Curb Weight | 3,377 lbs |
| Horsepower | 245 hp |
| Torque | 345 lb-ft |
| Layout | 5.7-liter V-8 |
The 1992 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 was one of the fastest 90s muscle cars, but it requires some stabilizing features to turn it into a competent drifter. That said, this car should be a relative bargain, making it one of the most affordable muscle cars for drifting.
2 1968 Dodge Charger 426 Hemi: Tossing This Dodge Is Fun
0-60 MPH Acceleration: 4.8 seconds
When you picture an American muscle car the 1968 Dodge Charger is likely what comes to mind. Whether out on a wet drift track with obstacles or racing around on a dirt road with lots of twists and turns, this Charger can be fun to drive. Let the rear get loose and see how it becomes one of the best muscle cars for drifting.
Performance
| 0-60 MPH | 4.8 seconds |
| Top Speed | 150 mph |
| Curb Weight | 3,979 lbs |
| Horsepower | 425 hp |
| Torque | 490 lb-ft |
| Layout | 426 cu-in Hemi V-8 |
The Hemi V-8 engine became one of the most iconic engines found in Dodge muscle cars. Although Dodge is moving on from massive muscle, this 1960s Charger could be fun to push through a drift course.
1 1997 Dodge Viper GTS: Extreme Speed And Track Fun
0-60 MPH Acceleration: 4.2 seconds
Do you have the courage to take the 1997 Dodge Viper GTS through a drift course? This muscle car is known for being hardcore and difficult to control, which makes turning it into a drifter even more enticing. If you're looking for a white-knuckle, harrowing experience behind the wheel, try drifting the Viper.
Performance
| 0-60 MPH | 4.2 seconds |
| Top Speed | 193 mph |
| Curb Weight | 3,483 lbs |
| Horsepower | 450 hp |
| Torque | 490 lb-ft |
| Layout | 8.0-liter V-10 |
Ten cylinders of pure adrenaline churn from under the long hood of the Viper, making it one of the most amazing cars you could drive. If aggressive sporty fun is what you’re after, the 1997 Dodge Viper GTS delivers and can be one of the best muscle cars for drifting if you can learn to harness its power.