Greatest Classic Muscle Cars of All Time

In their heyday, they turned every head in the parking lot. They still do.

Greatest Classic Muscle Cars of All Time

There's nothing quite like hammering down the pedal of an American muscle car, sending over 3,000 pounds of steel and fiberglass screaming down the asphalt as the entire world blends into a smear of passing images and deafening engine roar.

Muscle cars are a sheer joy to drive, own and gawk at. And the only thing that's better than a modern muscle car? A classic muscle car, especially the ones that were built before the oil crises of the 1970s, when fuel was cheap and V8 engines were under every other hood on the highway.

These muscle cars are some of the coolest, most-wanted and influential vehicles to ever hit the road. Which one do you wish you had in your garage?

Note: Most current prices are sourced from Haggerty's value guide.

25. 1965 Buick Skylark Gran Sport

Original price: $2,552 (base, non-V8)

Current average value: Around $20,000

Did you know: This was the first Buick muscle car.

Bottom Line: 1965 Buick Skylark Gran Sport

This one is a beloved muscle car, probably because the '65 Skylark is affordable for first-time collectors.

The upgraded 325 horsepower, 401-cubic-inch engine (marketed as a 400-cid engine, due to GM's company policy of 400-cid maximum) made this thing surprisingly quick, while the engine itself was surprisingly durable. The bucket seats and smooth ride made this a favorite among buyers and almost 70,000 of them rolled off the production line.

It's not the best muscle car on this list, but it's one of the most attainable. Just ask the guy who only collects 1966 Buick Skylarks.

24. 1982 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am

Original price: $9,658

Current average value: $4,000

Did you know: Pontiac produced Firebirds from 1967 until 2002.

Bottom Line: 1982 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am

It's the youngest car on this list, but Pontiac deserves some recognition during this era.

Despite skyrocketing gas prices and stricter emissions standards, Pontiac continued making Firebirds. The car manufacturer switched things up in 1982, creating a third-gen Firebird, a sleeker, sexier car that was 400 pounds lighter and 11 inches shorter.

Yet the engines were not good. The base engine was a 2.5-liter four-cylinder which produced a measly 90 horsepower. Even the five-liter "crossfire fuel injection" V8 only pumped out 165 horsepower. But it handled damn well, and MotorWeek loved it.

The 1982 Firebird made its mark in history thanks to the "Knight Rider" TV series, which used a modified 1982 Firebird Trans Am as KITT. Firebirds had previously gained attention and fame because of "Smokey and the Bandit," prompting Pontiac to make a black and gold Bandit edition of the car. Two hundred were made, and each was signed by Burt Reynolds himself.

23. 1967 Ford Mercury Cougar

Original price: $2,851

Current average value: $11,600

Did you know: Mercury was a mid-level luxury car division of Ford that was established by Edsel Ford in 1938. The first car it produced was the 1939 Mercury, which was priced at $916. Mercury went defunct in 2011. Its last car was the Grand Marquis, which sold for $29,935.

Bottom Line: 1967 Ford Mercury Cougar

The Mercury Cougar was Motor Trend's 1967 car of the year and sold extremely well against the competition, which was mainly Buick, Oldsmobile and Pontiac muscle cars. For an extra $326, the GT performance package would buy you an upgraded 390-cid V8 engine that revved up 320 horsepower.

The Cougar proved that people wanted a blend of luxury and muscle. Most people purchased the automatic version with power steering — requirements now but luxuries then. The upgraded XR-7 model included leather bucket seats and wood-trimmed dashboard, adding refinement to the fury it could bring on the road.

But even better, a 1967 Cougar can be purchased today for relatively cheap, probably because 153,893 of them were made, so they're not too hard to find.

22. 1968 Dodge Super Bee

Original price: $3,027

Current average value: Around $40,000

Did you know: Dodge is known for putting way too much muscle under the hood. The 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon has 840 horsepower and is currently the most powerful American production car ever made.

Bottom Line: 1968 Dodge Super Bee

The Super Bee was Dodge's answer to the budget-friendly Plymouth Road Runner. Like the Road Runner, a Hemi option was available but added an additional $700 to the cost — not exactly an alluring option for budget-conscious buyers — and only 125 were ordered.

Instead, most people opted for the 383-cid V8 engine, which produced 335 horsepower and could zip the Super Bee from 0 to 60 in 7.1 seconds.

The Super Bee was a stripped-down version of the Dodge Coronet, and while it was more exciting, it didn't match up to its Road Runner competition, and only sold around 8,000 cars in 1968 and 29,000 in 1969. The Super Bee was retired in 1971.

Like the 1965 Buick Skylark, the Super Bee is an affordable car for fixer-uppers, with low-grade models going for less than $20,000 while higher-quality models near the $100,000 range.

21. 1970 Chevrolet El Camino 454 SS

Original price: $2,769

Current average value: $18,400

Did you know: Chevy stopped producing the 454 engine in 1976. They cost $5,000 to $6,000.

Bottom Line: 1970 Chevrolet El Camino 454 SS

The 1970 El Camino 454 SS with the big-block LS5 engine and the M22 Munchie "rock crusher" transmission is the most sought-after El Camino ever made, with top-notch examples trading for $30,000 and above.

El Caminos are curious Frankenstein cars, but if you wanted to haul stuff around while still being competitive at the track, this was the most practical muscle car you could get.

20. 1958 Plymouth Fury

Original price: $3,032

Current average value: $35,900

Did you know: Sixteen Plymouths were used in the filming of the 1982 movie "Christine." Most of them were Belvederes and Savoys outfitted to look like real Furys. Director John Carpenter didn't destroy any actual Furys.

Bottom Line: 1958 Plymouth Fury

The Plymouth Fury, before it was its stand-alone model, was a top-of-the-line upgrade for the Plymouth Belvedere. The 1958 Fury featured Chrysler's new 350-cid Golden Commando engine, which produced 315 horsepower. Stephen King took a liking to this car and cast it as the titular "character" in "Christine."

The Fury was only available as a beige two-door hardtop, and this thing was beautiful, from the hooded headlights lights to the angled fins.

Only 5,303 Plymouth Furys were produced, so buying one in pristine condition can set a collector back quite a bit.

19. 1970 Ford Torino Cobra

Original price: $3,270 (base)

Current average value: $55,900

Did you know: Ford is the fifth-largest family-owned company in the world. The second is Volkswagen AG.

Bottom Line: 1970 Ford Torino Cobra

With its 429 Super Cobra Jet-engine and "drag pack" aluminum pistons and 4.3 gears, the 1970 Ford Torino Cobra was rated at an output of 375 horsepower, but in reality, this thing could hit over 400 horses.

A fully upgraded version with the drag pack is something that you don't want to take over long distances, though. As Torino Cobra owner Ed Noawkowski told Hemmings, "With that short rear-end gear, the tach will hover around 3,500-3,800 rpm at highway speeds, so we try to stay off the freeway."

As you can see, it was Motor Trend's 1970 Car of the Year.

18. 1968 Plymouth Road Runner Hemi

Original price: $4,000

Current average value: $29,400

Did you know: Plymouth shelled out $50,000 to Warner Bros. so it could use the Road Runner character, which it used to market the car. The horn also mimicked the "meep meep" noise from the cartoon.

Bottom Line: 1968 Plymouth Road Runner Hemi

Is this the only car in history to have branded itself after a cartoon? Despite its cutesy overtones, the Plymouth Road Runner is a beloved muscle car among collectors — especially if it's one with a 426-cid Hemi engine that produced 425 horsepower and 490 pounds-per-foot of torque at 4,000 RPM.

The Road Runner was a budget-priced muscle car with a base price of $2,945 for the coupe. But the Hemi option wasn't, and cost $813 more for just the engine.

Plymouth sold over 650,000 Road Runners by 1969 and continued producing the car until 1980. Check out this cartoon commercial from 1971.

17. 1970 Plymouth Hemi Superbird

Original price: $4,500

Current average value: $183,000-$389,000

Did you know: Plymouth was the first car company to mass-produce folding-top convertibles with their two-door coupe models in 1939.

Bottom Line: 1970 Plymouth Hemi Superbird

Plymouth produced 1,920 Superbirds but the majority of them were unsold, and some were even converted back into the super popular 1970 Road Runner, which the car was based off of.

Drivers didn't take to the sharp, unusual, slightly futuristic design of the Superbird, whose chassis was modeled to be aerodynamic for NASCAR racing.

But they're super expensive now, especially those models that are equipped with the 426-cid Hemi engine, the most powerful and most expensive of the three engine models sold.

16. 1970 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am Ram Air IV

Original price: $2,875 (base with a V6)

Current average value: $30,000-$250,000

Did you know: The Firebird logo, affectionately known as the "screaming chicken," was first introduced in 1973 as a $55 upgrade decal.

Bottom Line: 1970 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am Ram Air IV

The Pontiac Firebird Trans Am is an iconic muscle car, and perhaps the most sought-after model is the 1970 Firebird equipped with a Ram Air IV.

There were a number of options available for Firebird Trans Am buyers in 1970, with a stock V6 engine all the way up to the 400-cid V8 Ram Air IV, of which only 88 were sold.

A pristine example of one recently listed for $250,000, although that's currently the most expensive one available.

15. 1965 Pontiac Catalina 2+2

Original price: $2,910

Current average value: $5,400

Did you know: The 2+2 means two seats in the front and two in the back.

Bottom Line: Pontiac Catalina 2+2

Marketed as the GTO's "big brother," the 1965 Pontiac 2+2 was a full-sized coupe with a 421-cid V8 engine.

Unfortunately, it sold poorly, with its American lines canceled in 1967. Another Canadian series of 2+2s were produced until 1970.

However, it's certainly a beloved car. There's an entire website, pontiac2plus2registry, which is "devoted to preserving the history and lore of the Pontiac 2+2.

14. 1964 Pontiac GTO

Original price: $2,810

Current average value: $10,300

Trivia: The GTO was an option package for the Pontiac LeMans and cost an extra $295 (about $2,440 today) and came with a slew of game-changing performance and cosmetic upgrades.

Bottom Line: 1964 Pontiac GTO

The Pontiac GTO is credited as being the muscle car that influenced the entire muscle car era — some even credit the GTO as being the first real muscle car. Developed by John DeLorean, the GTO had a 389-cid V8 engine that produced 348 horsepower and 428 pounds of torque that could send this beautiful machine from 0 to 100 mph in just under 12 seconds.

The GTO ushered in the era of muscle cars with its affordable price tag, overpowered engine and aggressive look. It was almost never to be, though. General Motors had an internal policy that mandated 10 pounds of vehicle weight per cid.

But there was nothing in that policy about optional packages, so DeLorean skirted company mandates by offering a package with a massive engine, even though that package felt like an entirely new car.

13. 1968 Oldsmobile 442

Original price: $3,127

Current average value: $24,000

Did you know: The 442 name comes from its four-barrel carburetor, four-speed transmission and dual exhausts.

Bottom Line: 1968 Oldsmobile 442

The 1968 Oldsmobile 442 is one of the prettiest muscle cars ever made during the 1960s. It was pretty quick, too, although not as fast as a Mustang. The 442 could hit 0-60 in 6.5 seconds and reach top speeds of 109 mph.

It was a popular model and sold over 562,000 units, ranking in sixth place in sales in 1968.

CARS magazine picked this beauty for its Performance Car of the year.

12. 1968 AMC AMX

Original price: $3,395

Current average value: $15,700

Did you know: AMC awarded the 1968 Playmate of the Year, Angela Dorian, a pink-colored 1968 AMX. She changed the color to remain anonymous on the road.

Bottom Line: 1968 AMC AMX

AMC debuted their AMX line in 1968, a car that drew an unexpected amount of interest and renewed hope for the car company, which had been struggling to keep up with the Big Three.

The AMX competed with the Corvette, and while it wasn't quite as fast, it still could keep up and was less expensive. It also looked dang good and sold 8,239 cars in 1960. But by 1970, sales slumped to half of that, and later, Chrysler bought AMC.

According to Haggerty, a pristine 1968 AMX with a 390-cid V8 in green, orange or blue "Big Bad" color options will set you back $60,000.

11. 1968 Dodge Charger R/T

Original price: $3,480

Current average value: $22,700

Did you know: An estimated 80 cars were destroyed in "Bullitt."

Bottom Line: 1968 Dodge Charger R/T

Opposite of the Highland Green '68 Mustang GT in the film "Bullitt" was the Dodge Charger, which was bigger and more intimidating than the Mustang.

We're not saying it's better. Driving UK said it handles "like a motor home" with "oil tanker steering" although it was significantly faster, with 50 more horses.

Even so, the car is even more desirable among collectors when comparing prices of the '68 Charger R/T and the '68 Mustang GT, with the Charger commanding $4,900 more on average.

10. 1968 Ford Mustang GT

Original price: $2,602

Current average value: $17,600

Did you know: The Mustang was originally going to be called the Cougar. Instead, that name went to the Mercury manufacturing branch of Ford for its mid-level luxury sports cars.

Bottom Line: 1968 Ford Mustang GT

Everyone wanted a 1968 Mustang GT in Highland Green thanks to "Bullitt," which hit theaters that same year.

In the action flick, Steve McQueen hammered that car through the streets of San Francisco in one of the most epic movie car chases ever filmed. And man, did that car look awesome as it caught air over the hilly streets and flew down suburban roads.

That particular car from the film which survived (two were used), sold for $3.74 million at auction in 2020. By 1974, Robert Kiernan of New Jersey owned the vehicle. He kept it for 46 years, even denying McQueen's attempts to buy the classic pony car.

9. 1970 545 LS6 Chevy Chevelle

Original price: $3,312

Current average value: $49,000

Did you know: The first car Chevy ever produced was the Chevrolet Series 490, which was created in June 1915. It was called the 490 because it retailed for $490.

Bottom Line: 1970 545 LS6 Chevy Chevelle

The LS6 Chevelle is often cited as the best Chevy muscle car, and for good reason. The carmaker improved upon the already popular 1966 by adding a bigger engine under the hood: a 454-cid 7.4-liter big-block V8 engine with a Holley four-barrel carburetor that pushed 450 horsepower and 5,000 pounds per foot of torque.

While only 3,733 cars of the LS6 option were made, prices for these cars can vary. Haggerty puts the average price at only $49,000 while Hemmings places their worth at $100,000 or more for those in good condition.

Some sell for double that.

8. 1968 Dodge Dart GTS

Original price: $3,189

Current average value: $10,100

Did you know: Dodge produced the first all-steel car in the world, in 1914.

Bottom Line: 1968 Dodge Dart GTS

The Dodge Dart was a compact muscle car that benefited from the Dodge Charger's surging popularity, although it was much less popular.

Still, the Dodge Dart was incredibly fun to drive, and fast. The limited-edition 1968 GTS two-door hardtops included 426-cid V8 Hemi engines that produced 425 horsepower. Also awesome was the GTS racing stripes, hood scoops and side vents.

A regular Dart might set you back $10,000, but a GTS with a Hemi power plant can fetch around $200,000.

7. 1969 Boss 429 Mustang

Original price: $4,798

Current average value: $180,000

Did you know: The Boss 429s were equipped with such a large engine that the Mustang chassis needed to be specially altered by Kar Kraft, which developed the GT40 MKII — the car that won the 1966 Le Mans featured in the 2019 movie "Ford v Ferrari."

Bottom Line: 1969 Boss 429 Mustang

The 1969 Boss 429 Mustang is one of the rarest Mustangs and most sought-after muscle cars ever made. Despite being loaded with features, including a custom-designed 429-cid engine made to compete with Chrysler's 426 Hemi.

The hood scoop was wider than other Mustangs of that era and looked like flaring nostrils. This Mustang looked mean, and sounded like a beast, too, with 375 horsepower and 5,200 rpm. The interiors provided a bit of luxury with bucket seats and dashboard wood trim.

But sales were quite poor, and only 1,358 1969 Boss 429s rolled off the line.

6. 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air

Original price: $2,290 (base)

Current average value: $28,400

Did you know: 1957 Chevys had a host of options available, including a tissue dispenser and an "Autotronic Eye," which dimmed the headlights when it sensed oncoming cars.

Bottom Line: 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air

The 1957 Chevy is one of the most popular cars in the world. There were four different trim models, with the Bel Air being top-of-the-line.

There's something so remarkable about the 1957 Chevy. It became a collector's car within 20 years of its initial debut. The fins, the angles, the ridiculously large trunk, the decorative bodywork — it was perfectly styled and fitted with a small block V8 engine. Those who shelled out an extra $500 could upgrade to a fuel-injected Ramjet V8, which pumped out 250 horsepower.

Somehow, the 1957 Chevy embodies the 1950s, with the Bel Air being king of the cars you'd find in a diner parking lot.

5. 1965 Ford Shelby Mustang GT350

Original price: $4,311 (base) $6,000 (with racing upgrades)

Current average value: Around $287,000

Did you know: The first GT350s only came in a Wimbledon White color with Guardsman Blue rocker panel stripes. A quarter of them had Le Mans stripes, which ran from the hood to the trunk.

Bottom Line: 1965 Ford Shelby Mustang GT350

The 1965 Shelby GT350 stock came with a 289-cid V8 and 271 horsepower, but the GT350R, which came equipped with Kobra Kustom upgrades, raised its horses to 306.

But no matter which one you bought in 1965 (or today), the GT350 was a head-turner. The fiberglass scooped hood, the blaring glasspack mufflers and especially the racing stripes made a Car and Driver reviewer worry that this car would be a prime target for police.

4. 1968 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500KR

Original price: $4,500

Current value: $120,000

Did you know: The KR stands for King of the Road. It received the name before the car was even built. Only around 1,200 were made.

Bottom Line: 1968 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500KR

Ford swapped out the 289-cid engine of the GT350 for a big block 428-cid V8 Police Interceptor engine for the 1967 GT500.

It was enormously popular and an awesome car, but Ford stepped it up again with its special edition KR edition, which used a 428-cid Cobra Jet engine that produced 335 horsepower. The hardtops had nice-looking roof scoops, side scoops, and a double hood scoop. This thing looked like a monster, and it drove like one, too.

These are highly sought-after Shelbys. Even a "fair" graded model set you back $94,000, according to Haggerty.

3. 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray

Original price: $4,252

Current average value: $100,000+

Did you know: The split window design may have come from the German 1938 Adler Trumpf. One man told Super Chevy that his Adler was photographed at GM Tech Center in 1959, and the design was used while developing the Sting Ray.

Bottom Line: 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray

The 1963 Sting Ray is one of the most famous cars in the world, mainly due to the split rear window in its hardtop models. The design, while completely impractical, transformed this Corvette into something wholly unusually and exotic. Sure, the machine was fast, handled like a dream, and reviewers raved about it. But it was the rear window that turned so many heads. It really did look like a manta ray.

It's also why the 1963 Sting Ray is so rare. Of the C2 production years, the split window was only available in 1963, as Chevrolet caved to practicality and replaced the iconic window with a single pane of glass.

Top-notch examples are known to sell beyond $200,000.

2. 1971 Plymouth Hemi 'Cuda

Original price: $4,348

Current average value: $200,000+

Did you know: Only 11 convertible Hemi 'Cudas were ever made.

Bottom Line: 1971 Plymouth Hemi 'Cuda

What a name. Hemi 'Cuda. It sounds like a juiced-up sea monster ready to run through a boat like a lawnmower through grass. While the official name is simply the Plymouth Barracuda, the 1970 model offered a 440-cid Hemi engine as its highest upgrade.

The 1970 Barracuda is a classic, but the 1971 version added a new, toothier grill and included four circular headlights. The '71 Hemi 'Cuda is one of the rarest muscle cars in the world and is extremely pricey to get a hold of. In 2014, a convertible sold for $3.78 million.

Haggerty puts the price of a Hemi 'Cuda at $205,000 for a vehicle in Condition Four, or fair, condition.

1. 1969 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

Original price: $7,200

Current average value: $500,000

Did you know: Chevy popularized the cowl-induction hood by outfitting some 10,000 1969 Camaros with it.

Bottom Line: 1969 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

The ZL1 is a legendary Camaro — perhaps the best Camaro ever built. And few of them were. GM only produced 69 of these cars, and only 13 were sold. Which isn't surprising. The $7,200 sticker price for a muscle car back then ($50,300 today) was practically unheard of.

The ZL1 came with an aluminum-cased 427-cid big block that weighed as much as a small block 327-cid and was rated at 435 horsepower. However, the engine was actually more powerful than GM claimed and, in reality, could push over 500 horsepower.

The thing was an absolute demon on the strip and is much sought-after today. Those in top-notch condition can sell for over $1 million.