The USPS Muscle Cars Forever stamps are a 2013 pane of 20 featuring five American performance cars, with four copies of each design. USPS issued the set on February 22, 2013, in Daytona Beach, Florida. Tom Fritz created the painted car art, and Carl T. Herrman designed the stamps.
Issue Facts
| Official name | Muscle Cars |
|---|---|
| Issue date and city | February 22, 2013; Daytona Beach, Florida |
| Postage category | First-Class Mail Forever |
| Original format | Pane of 20; five designs repeated four times |
| Series | America on the Move; third issue |
| USPS item number | 470500 |
| Artist | Tom Fritz |
| Designer | Carl T. Herrman |
The Five Muscle Cars
| Vehicle | Identification cue |
|---|---|
| 1966 Pontiac GTO | The early-era GTO representing the model closely associated with the rise of the muscle-car market. |
| 1967 Shelby GT-500 | A high-performance Shelby with the purposeful appearance of a road-going race car. |
| 1969 Dodge Charger Daytona | The aerodynamic model recognized by its pointed nose and tall rear wing. |
| 1970 Plymouth Hemi ’Cuda | A compact Plymouth performance model from the peak of the classic muscle era. |
| 1970 Chevelle SS | Chevrolet’s large-displacement performance coupe in Super Sport form. |
Muscle Cars vs. Pony Cars Stamps
Do not merge this issue with the separate 2022 Pony Cars pane. Muscle Cars is a 2013 America on the Move release with the five vehicles above. The 2022 set features a Mustang Boss 302, Dodge Challenger R/T, Camaro Z/28, Mercury Cougar XR-7 GT and AMC Javelin SST. The years, car list, designers and pane graphics are different.
Artwork and Complete-Pane Context
Fritz’s paintings emphasize reflections, color and the mass of each car rather than presenting technical diagrams. The pane header reads MUSCLE CARS and AMERICA ON THE MOVE; short vehicle descriptions appear on the back. A loose stamp retains its postage value, but an intact pane preserves the five-car sequence, series title and descriptive context.
Postal Use and Collector Value
Unused genuine Muscle Cars stamps remain valid Forever postage for the current one-ounce First-Class Mail letter rate. Extra weight, nonstandard shape, rigidity, international destination or an added service can require more postage. Collector pricing for a pane, first-day cover or cancellation is separate from its usable postal value.
For another automotive issue, see the Lowriders Forever stamps guide or browse the Pony Cars product page.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Muscle Cars stamp designs are there?
Five designs, each repeated four times in the original 20-stamp pane.
Are Muscle Cars stamps still valid?
Yes. Unused genuine examples remain valid Forever postage for an eligible one-ounce First-Class Mail letter.
Is the 1969 Ford Mustang on the Muscle Cars pane?
No. The 2013 set includes a 1967 Shelby GT-500. A 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 302 appears on the separate 2022 Pony Cars issue.
Who painted the cars?
Tom Fritz created the artwork. Carl T. Herrman designed the stamps.
Official sources checked September 1, 2026: USPS Stamp Announcement 13-13 and the USPS Muscle Cars publicity kit.