So what IS a muscle car?

I would just boil it down to the basics: A car built to exceed normal production performance standards, especially in a straight line...

I think that pretty much nails it.

Anything built with the intention of more performance than is necessary. Think of the body builder that doesn’t need huge biceps to lift his protein drink to his mouth, but he wants bigger ones anyway.

And just because it can stop and turn better and is comfortable to drive, doesn’t mean it stops being a muscle car.