The dawn of a new decade brought a bitter pill for muscle car enthusiasts. As the automotive world shifted, the allure of raw power began to fade. Fuel-efficient engines and insurance companies’ aversion to high-performance risks conspired to drive muscle car sales into a nosedive.
The Pontiac GTO, a once-iconic symbol of American muscle, met an untimely demise. Mercury, too, struggled to keep its Cougar afloat. The XR-7, once a prized variant, faced dwindling demand. Despite its premium price tag, the Cougar failed to capture the hearts of many.
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