Once again, Nissan North America graciously hosted the media dinner for all us humble scribes happy to report upon the succulent stirrings from within the automotive world and the Chicago Auto Show. This year, the bar was raised as each member of the press was treated to a 9 course meal at a local Japanese sushi and steakhouse.

Wine and liquor flowed rampantly, much to the author’s delight. Perhaps it was because they’d run out of press kits for the 2013 Nissan 370-Z, or because we were all American, but as the whiskey (18 yr scotch!) flowed, the conversation quickly turned to muscle cars.

Fittingly for Brohammers, most of these guys had some luxo-muscle in their stable at one time or another, so I was able to regale them with a story of my first Broham, a ’75 LTD with a 460 V-8 that whipped the snot out of an 80s GMC short bed pickup with what I assumed had to be a 350 variant. The truck’s powerplant should not have been any larger, because light to light I beat it from Johnny Cash’s hometown all the way to Barbara Mandrell’s hometown, with 3 people in the car.

I didn’t get to tell them about the fastest car in town back then, the little known performance edition LTD II. It had a blueprinted 460 with the coveted Boss heads and got into the tall 9s on spray.

I owe it all to Nissan for reconnecting me with my fellow car brethren, including Stretch, a friend I made last year who is the videographer for drivingthenation.com. And, as we all know, Japan has produced it’s own muscle for over 20 years.

Poised on its more muscular haunches and looking like a bulldog set to attack, the all new Nissan 2013 370Z cut a dashing figure against the Chicago skyline. Bringing more seductive sheet metal was but one of many upgrades for this storied marque. Borrowing refinement and luxury from her Infiniti twin and better handling and more grunt overall, Z fans will not be disappointed, but Skyline owners might get a little more nervous rolling up to one of these at the next red light.

944 owners rejoice! Despite the many appearances in 80s films, most notably Weird Science and 16 Candles, the Porsche 944 has also been known as the ‘Poor Man’s Porsche’ due to its relative affordability compared to a 911. Well, someone at Volkswagen must’ve remembered those sales figures, because as an added bitch-slap to buying out Porsche, engineers over there put some yeast in a 911 and are calling it the NEW, New Beetle. Think we’re full of it? Take a look at these spy photos on the streets of Chicago vs some snaps we found online. That rear-end screams Porsche, and now a mid-level job will finally get you one.

Contemporary Mustang fans and those of us who prefer the classic designs of ’64 1/2—’70 and ’05—’09 rejoice! According to a tiny news mention in Mustang Monthly, we can kiss the friggin’ ugly tail lights of the ’10—’12 5.0 goodbye. Changes should come as early as the 2013 model.

Puttin’ our pony in park for a second, Ford has done wonders with the newest iteration of the Mustang, from the almighty 5.0, to the fuel-sipping V6, to the Boss 302. The latest Stang is a rolling testament to performance, fuel economy and engineering. However, the styling reverted back to the New Edge Celica look leftover from the ’90s, and really sort of bastardized the awesome retro look introduced in ’05.

Think we’re speaking out of turn? Camaro sales have outshone Mustang sales the past two years, and every auto journalist agrees the Dodge Challenger is the coolest-looking pony car of all. Here’s hoping Ford goes back to the drawing board to bring us the stylistic lines we’ve become so accustomed to seeing. We’d suggest using the ’69 or ’70 models as their newest inspiration.

Old School.

New School.

Back to School.

Sure, there are car shows. And, most of you Brohammers have been to a couple. But this year’s World of Wheels show in Chicago had more cars than you’d car to shake a stick at. We literally grew tired after four hours of wandering around and even groaned aloud when there was yet ANOTHER room full of cars. But between the cars and the ladies, it was worth the extra effort to meander about. Behold, the BEST of the 2011 World of Wheels Chicago Car Show…

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The Camaro has returned to us! The long-awaited legacy has been restored, and this year bringing with it the convertible and the ZL1, just in time to take on Mustang’s 5.0. We can’t wait for a test drive!

The Chicago Auto Show is the world’s largest car show, and tickets are on sale now, from February 11-20.

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Don’t forget about the Definitive Camaro Babe Slideshow.

Not since the return of the Star Wars saga has anticipation for something so uniquely American been this great. But, George Lucas couldn’t have predicted this… the Pony Car Wars are BACK!! Camaro vs. Mustang: The two marques have been duking it out ever since the 60s, with the occasional offering by Dodge for good measure. When Chevy stupidly denied their own heritage and fan base by doing away with the storied marque, they pretty much signaled their own death-knell. This slideshow is for the Camaro faithful, who are now SO overjoyed Bob Lutz and his boys finally got something right again over at GM.

Buckle-up boys!! With more than 200 slides, this is the definitive Camaro cuties slideshow!!

Bitchin' Camaro Babes Slideshow!!!

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Guess what? We have MORE galleries of chicks and cars! … and, check out these Hot Tub Hotties!

Wanna know about the next awesome slideshow? Become a fan on Facebook!

It was the world’s first pony car, Ford’s most innovative and legendary marque since the Model T. Thanks to Mustang’s reinvention in 2005, we once again have the pony car wars—the celebrated skirmish of the 60s reborn to include all of the big three and even some Japanese and Korean contenders. This gallery celebrates the one muscle car to remain in business for all of 40 years, and ultimately bring back all its competitors to make each model hereafter that much better.

Two lovelies adorn a Mustang pool table, available from the Ford Racing catalog.

The Chicago Auto Show is the world’s largest car show, and tickets are on sale now, from February 11-20.

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Want more? Be sure to check out this mess of Mustang Mamas!

The Chicago Auto Show is the world’s largest car show, and tickets are on sale now, from February 11-20.

[View with PicLens]