One of the oddest recession statistics involves lipstick: In a twist of economic psychology, lipstick sales invariably rise in recessions. Now it seems the same may apply to Detroit-based V8 muscle cars.

For the month of October, sales of muscle cars were up almost 50 percent compared with last year, according to data from Automotive News. Sales of all sports cars were up almost 24 percent.

Some of that may be because the Chevrolet Camaro came on the market this spring, so it has added to the total. General Motors, which makes the Camaro, says that it has sold 47,000 Camaros so far in 2009.

Counting all types of cars, overall sales were about the same as last October.

Is it possible that these muscle cars reflect glimmers of economic hope among car buyers? While consumers have bought 25 percent fewer cars overall so far in 2009 compared with 2008, muscle-car sales increased by a similar percentage. And a greater proportion of buyers are choosing sports cars overall. Sales of all sports cars declined barely half as much as overall car sales.

We think that most muscle and sports cars are fun to drive, which might account for why they often rank at the top of our owner satisfaction ratings where CR subscribers are asked if they would buy the same car again. This year the top-scoring model was the Dodge Challenger. (Many of us didn’t find the Challenger particularly engaging to drive, but it can be fun in its own way.)

So like lipstick, consumers facing a recession may just want to buy something affordable that makes them stand out and feel a little better about themselves. 

 —Eric Evarts