What are the best classic muscle cars to buy at affordable rates?
Check out our top picks for classic car lovers.
Though not as valuable as major luxury cars from the mid 20th century, Classic Muscle cars are increasingly demanded in recent times.
These cars that boast of engine designs from an era marked the formative years of automobiles’ internal combustion engine development are genuinely golden.
The high demand for these “golden era” cars, which are no longer manufactured, have led their prices to skyrocket.
As indicated earlier, classic muscle car prices do not run into millions; they do cost six figures depending on a buyer’s choice.
MotorsTell presents the top 10 most affordable best classic muscle cars to buy.
Also detailed in this article are trustworthy sites to purchase classic cars and how much it costs to restore a classic car.
The Best Classic Muscle Cars to Buy at Affordable Rates
10. 1971 Ford Ranchero
Price: $13,000–$19,000
You most likely weren’t expecting to see a pick-up truck on this list.
But as far as the word “muscle” encompasses, the 1971 Ford Ranchero can be touted as a muscle car.
A significant rival to General Motors’ Chevrolet El Camino, Ford began producing the Ranchero in 1957, before calling it quits on the vehicle in 1979.
Over the course of the 22 years the Ranchero was produced, Ford produced 508,355 units of various sizes.
The 1971 Ford Ranchero, the fifth generation of the Ranchero brand, is distinguished by the grille on the center section, which divides it.
The vehicle, which boasts of a V-8 engine, costs between $13,000 to $19,000.
For a classic muscle pick-up truck under $20,000, the 1971 Ford Ranchero is relatively cheap.
9. 1979 Pontiac Firebird / Trans Am
Price: $10,000–$19,000
Every car enthusiast has surely been bombarded with the stories of how General Motors’ now-defunct Pontiac brand produced some of its best cars in the 1970s.
Well, the 1979 Pontiac Firebird / Trans Am is evidence of those stories.
The pony car, which rivaled Ford’s Mustang and Mercury Cougar, debuted in the automotive market in 1967.
From 1967 down to 2002, every model of the pony car was well improved.
The 1979 Trans Am was incredibly well designed as it marked the 10th anniversary of the Trans Am brand.
The car boasts of a big block V8 engine with nothing less than 135 hp.
Every classic muscle car enthusiast wants a 1979 Pontiac Trans Am, but its production was limited, so finding one may be tricky.
However, Firebird is a good pick.
Whether you choose the Firebird or Trans Am, both costs between $10,000 to $19,000.
8. 1968 Ford Mustang
Price: $12,500–$17,000
In the realm of classic muscle cars, Ford Mustang stands on a pedestal, separate from others.
When the Ford Mustang was released in 1964, the unique styling, specifically its long hood, made it a popular brand.
That popularity sparked lots of rivalries, which inspired the production of other quality classic muscle cars.
The 1968 first-generation Mustang has been sold for as much as $3 million, though that depends on the car’s relevance and not its features.
The big-block V-8 engine car sells for $12,500 to $17,000.
7. 1970 Mercury Cyclone GT
Price: $14,000–$20,000
Though Ford’s Mercury installment existed for less than ten years, during that short period, lots of top performance-oriented and sporty classic muscle cars were produced.
The fourth-generation 1970 Mercury Cyclone GT is a perfect example of its sporty car.
In the 1970 Mercury Cyclone GT, Ford’s focus shifted from style and design to speed.
Every design in the car, exterior, and interior was designed to fit the car’s prime purpose; speed.
The 1970 Mercury Cyclone GT costs between $14,000 to $20,000.
6. 1971 Ford Torino GT
Price: $12,000–$19,000
Another division of Ford, which existed for less than ten years, the 1971 Ford Torino GT, was one of the first Torino cars to be designed as a muscle car.
The authentic classic car, with its distinctive design, came with a big block V-8 engine.
The 1971 Ford Torino GT costs between $12,000 to $19,000.
5. 1975 Ford Maverick Grabber
Price: $9,000–$20,000
From the late 1960s to the 1970s, Ford tested out many divisions but soon closed them.
The Maverick was just one.
The division, which existed for seven years, 1970 to 1977, produced compact cars.
The 1975 Ford Maverick Grabber was Maverick’s attempt to try its hands in the muscle car market.
The sporty coupe is one of the coolest cars produced in the 1970s.
The car comes with a 5.0-liter V-8 powerhouse capable of producing 175 horsepower and circulated only in the Americas.
An authentic 1975 Ford Maverick Grabber costs between $9,000 to $20,000.
4. 1996 Chevrolet Camaro Z28
Price: $8,000
For those familiar with the exploits of General Motors’ Camaro brand, they’ll surely understand that this muscle model did not perform as much as its predecessors.
The performance of the 1996 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 was the beginning of woes for the Camaro brand, which eventually packed up in 2002.
Though the muscle car did not perform well, it was well designed.
Albeit not exactly spectacular, the muscle car has a V-8 engine, which provides 308 hp.
The dismal sales of the Camaro Z28 are the primary reason why the muscle car can be bought for $8000.
3. 1993 Ford SVT Mustang Cobra
Price: $18,000–$20,000
If your idea of the best classic muscle cars are vehicles manufactured only in the golden age, you may not understand why this car made our list.
One of the most modern classic muscle cars, the Ford SVT Mustang Cobra, is more of a high-performance version of the Ford Mustang.
Manufactured between 1993 and 2004, the car succeeded the third generation of the Ford Mustang.
The car has a V-8 engine with 230 horsepower and can jump from naught to 60 mph in 5.9 seconds.
The 1993 Ford SVT Mustang Cobra is one of the expensive cars on this list and is sold for $18,000 to $20,000.
2. 1975 Dodge Dart Sport
Price: $6,000–$20,000
During the heydays of Dart, the automobile company produced various Dodge cars, which varied from compact vehicles to muscle cars.
While the company was struggling to survive following the 1973 Oil crisis, its engineers produced the 1975 Dodge Dart Sport, which was mildly advanced than previous models.
The well-designed car, which was subjected to roof crash tests, comes with a 5.9-liter V-8 engine with 245 hp.
The powerful V-8 engine Dart Sport costs $20,000, with a less advanced V-2 engine sold for $6,000 to $9,000.
1. 1990 Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z
Price: $7,000–$18,000
One of the best cars of its era, the 1990 Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z, named after the International Race of Champions, was touted as an alternative to the Z28.
Its 5.7-liter V-8 powerhouse was designed to increase its power output to 245 hp.
The popular muscle car ranks as one of the cheapest classic muscle cars available.
It is sold for less than $10,000.
Though specific models in a better state can be found for $18,000, an average IROC costs between $7,000 to $9,000.
People Also Ask
Where can Classic Muscle Cars be bought?
Due to how rare classic muscle cars are, only a few dealerships sell them.
Nonetheless, there are sites devoted to selling these cars.
Listed below are some:
Also, check out your local car dealerships, as they may have more information on classic cars.
How Much Does it Cost to Restore Classic Muscle Cars?
The cost of restoring a classic muscle car depends on the condition of the vehicle.
It’ll take a mechanic to assess the vehicle’s condition to know what parts need to be replaced and repaired.
This could cost as much as $5,000.
So, do well to factor in this cost as you buy your classic muscle cars.
Final Words
In automotive works, antique automobiles come with such prestige that can only be attached to rare, valuable items.
The extent of prestige, which is often well denoted in the automobile’s price, corresponds with how rare it is.
The best classic muscle cars fall right in the category of automobiles with such prestige.
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