Classic Fastbacks
The sloping roofline that defined muscle car style — and aerodynamics.
The fastback body style — a single continuous slope from roofline to rear bumper, with no separate trunk lid break — had its American heyday in the muscle car era, when the shape doubled as both a styling statement and a genuine (if modest) aerodynamic advantage at speed. The 1965 Mustang Fastback (marketed as the "2+2") is the model most responsible for popularizing the shape in the U.S. market, and it was quickly followed by fastback variants across nearly every muscle car nameplate through the early 1970s, before more angular, notchback styling took over later in the decade.
Notable Models
Ford Mustang Fastback
1965–1973The definitive American fastback, and the body style used on the most famous Mustangs of the era, including the Shelby GT350/GT500 and the "Bullitt" car.
Dodge Charger
1968–1970The second-generation Charger's flowing fastback roofline is one of the most recognizable silhouettes in American car design.
Plymouth Barracuda / 'Cuda
1967–1969The second-generation Barracuda's fastback variant is rarer and more distinctive than the notchback coupe that outsold it.
AMC AMX
1968–1970American Motors' two-seat fastback muscle car — a genuine oddity in the segment, and increasingly recognized as an undervalued collectible.
Buying Tips
- 1.Check the rear window seal and trunk floor for water intrusion — a fastback's long, near-horizontal rear glass is more prone to leaking than a conventional notchback's, and trunk floor rust from it is common.
- 2.Inspect the headliner and rear parcel shelf for sun and heat damage — the greenhouse area over a fastback's sloped roof runs hotter than a notchback's, accelerating interior wear.
- 3.Verify rear quarter window and hinge mechanisms if the car has flip-out or roll-down rear glass — these are often the first things to stop working and can be difficult to source for less common models.
- 4.Confirm the fastback body was original to the car rather than swapped from a donor — cosmetic fastback conversions on notchback cars exist and are difficult to spot without checking the VIN and body tag.
