The classic definition is a smaller, powerful, RWD, coupe, like....

Camaro
Firebird
Mustang
Cougar
Challenger
Barracuda/'Cuda
Javelin

But I wonder how appropriate it would be to call new cars like RX8, G35 or M3....Ponycars?

Any thoughts?

 

I'd say the definition probally hasn't changed very much.

But ponty cars were sporty compact coupes in their day, so using the term today would probally cover just about every small non-sedan based coupe on the street from the Eclipse to the Mustang.

 

The pony car to me will always be defined as a RWD sporty four seater. Only the F-body and the Mustang IMO should have this title, all that other crap out there needs to have it's own distenction (sp).

 

Umm, AMX?

 

Wonder if a 2 seater....like AMX.... can be considered a Ponycar?

 

Has to be the exception that proves the rule-the AMX was more a ponycar than it was anything else. It certainly wasn't in the true sportscar category with the Vette.

 

Wasn't it just a chopped up Javelin? The '65 GT350 Mustaing had two seats.

 

We will allow it.....both of them.

 

Any car built to fight the Ford Mustang.

That's where "pony" came from...

EDIT: Gotta include Mustang in that definition as well, so change that to "Any car built to fight the Ford Mustang... or the Mustang istelf."

 

Wasn't the word "affordable" also associated with the early pony cars?

TS

 

AMX became a 4 seater in 1971 when it became the "Z28" of the AMC Javelin. Most certainly is a "pony" car

It died in 1974, outlasting the Cuda/Challenger by a few months. Camaro was also supposed to be killed during that year. Mustang was "re-sized" that year.