Top 10 Most Desirable Classic Muscle Cars

Restoring, displaying, and experiencing classic cars has long been a beloved American pastime. Muscle cars, with their bold lines, roaring engines, and raw power, have fascinated us since the late 1960s when performance and design from luxury vehicles made their way into more affordable models. Over the years, these early designs and their many modifications have continued to captivate our imaginations.

Today, the scarcity and sentimental value of these vintage beauties have made them increasingly rare, driving up the passion and dedication among true muscle car enthusiasts. In this list, we'll take a deeper dive into 10 of the most popular muscle car models, exploring their histories and the reasons behind their lasting appeal.

10: Plymouth Road Runner (1968-1970)

When Plymouth launched the Road Runner in 1968, it was clear they understood the growing muscle car craze. As one of the first brands to appeal directly to younger buyers, it offered an affordable starting price ($3,000 base) alongside a cartoon tie-in featuring the famous WB character and its signature 'beep-beep' horn.

Of course, that low starting price was just the beginning. The true appeal of muscle cars lies in their raw power, and the Road Runner was no exception. Over the years, performance options soared, even while the car's design remained relatively unchanged. Some of the performance packages, like the 'six-pack' engine, boosted the standard 383 horsepower to 390, or even the legendary 426 Hemi. At its peak, a Road Runner could hit the quarter-mile in 1 seconds and top out over 140 mph.

In 1969, Plymouth sold more than 80,000 Road Runners. The hardtop model, which lacked a central post, remains a favorite among collectors. However, for every meticulously preserved Road Runner still locked away, there are many others that were driven to the limit, as intended. The 1969 ragtop model is the gold standard today, with only about 2,200 ever made.

9: 1971 Plymouth Superbird 440

This hardtop regularly appears on best-of lists, often surpassing other Plymouth models, even though it originated from the Road Runner. Its unique redesign was created to fulfill NASCAR's exacting standards—once the pinnacle of muscle car performance and a symbol of the ultimate achievement in both automotive engineering and racing prowess.

Powered by a Magnum 440 cubic V-8 engine, the base horsepower was 375. The Superbird offered two performance upgrades: the 'six-pack' (three two-barrel carbs replacing the standard 4-barrel) or the 425-horsepower Hemi V-8, which remains the more sought-after and valuable option.

Though many of these Superbirds may not have realized their NASCAR potential, they left a lasting impact on car culture. For those who preferred the car's bold, yet groundbreaking, design over the more practical Road Runner, it became a statement of style. Even today, the Superbird continues to inspire the dream of muscle car glory.

In the past decade alone, the asking price for a well-kept Superbird 440 has skyrocketed by two-thirds. A car that fetched $67,000 at auction in 2001 is now more likely to cost you $107,000 [source: CNNMoney.com].

8: Dodge Charger R/T 440 (1968-1969)

Easily recognizable by even the newest car enthusiast, this hardtop is one of the most iconic and unforgettable vehicles on our list. While the Charger became a household name thanks to 'The Dukes of Hazzard,' it was immortalized in the legendary 1968 muscle car classic 'Bullitt,' where Steve McQueen's foe famously raced a black Charger into cinematic history.

In more recent years, 'The Fast and the Furious' franchise has once again brought the beloved Charger into the spotlight. There's something about its striking design and the formidable power under its hood that not only embodies the muscle car era, but also exudes an aura of danger, rebellion, and the raw energy of a true bad-boy vehicle.

This iconic piece of Hollywood history would have cost you $39,000 in 2001, but today, thanks to increasing demand and rarity, it now commands close to $170,000 for a pristine model. Quite the leap for a car that sold 37,000 units in its debut year, with a base price of just $3,500 [source: CNNMoney.com].

With its iconic "Coke-bottle" shape, bold front grille, and concealed headlights, the Dodge Charger exudes confidence and power. The R/T badge signified its dual purpose, equally at home on the street as it was at the drag strip. The heavy-duty suspension offered superior handling, adding an exciting edge to every turn, but it was the car's undeniable style that captivated drivers then and collectors now.

7: Chevrolet Camaro ZL1/Z-28/SS Coupe (1967-1969)

In 1967, the Z-28 was the most popular version of the Camaro, though there were plenty of option packages to choose from. Featuring a 4.9-liter engine and a four-speed manual transmission, it was designed for racing. With front brakes that were tricky for newcomers but precise for experienced drivers, the base package boasted a small-block V-8 producing 290 horsepower, Muncie four-on-the-floor transmission, positraction, and power steering. The Z-28 was made for road racing, and its sharp handling and timeless design continue to make it a fan favorite.

The 1969 ZL1 stands as one of the rarest and most revered muscle cars, delivering raw power and unforgettable performance. Equipped with a 500-horsepower aluminum V-8 engine, it could reach a top speed of 125 mph (201 km/h), accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in about 5.3 seconds, and complete a quarter-mile in 13.16 seconds. Only 69 units were produced, with most destined for drag racing, and this potent package was never offered again. A car that could fetch $18,000 in 2001 now commands up to $91,000 among elite collectors [source: CNNMoney.com].

6: Buick GSX (1970)

Imagine taking the body of the dependable Buick Skylark, a popular midsize sedan, and stuffing a monster engine inside. Then offer it as both a convertible and a sedan, following the trend of the time. While the Grand Sport debuted in 1965, it didn’t truly grab national attention until years later. The GSX of 1967 was already a powerful machine, but the 1970 model, with its 7.5-liter engine producing 400 horsepower, turned heads and drew serious interest.

The Stage 1 GSX performance package came with a base of 360 horsepower, but skilled tuners could push it over 400 with upgrades to the valves, heads, and camshaft. With the ability to complete a quarter-mile in 13.38 seconds, this beast was famously available in just two striking colors: 'Apollo White' and 'Saturn Yellow.'

5: Plymouth Barracuda (1970-1971)

The Barracuda has not only been the top performer in the market over the past decade (its value, which started at a solid $49,000, has skyrocketed to over $2 million for pristine models), but it also has a deep and storied history [source: CNNMoney.com]. While the car debuted in 1964, it wasn’t until 1970 that it really broke into the muscle car scene, thanks to the introduction of a 7.2-liter engine that pushed out 390 horsepower, firmly establishing the Barracuda's place in automotive legend.

One version of the Barracuda came with a 7-liter Hemi engine that produced 425 horsepower. Like its less powerful counterparts, it had a reputation for tough handling, no matter how many times the suspension was adjusted. The 'Hemi-Cuda' could reach 60 mph in just 5.6 seconds and was notorious for effortlessly shredding tires. Due to its high cost and sky-high insurance premiums, only a limited number were produced, and each one was unique in its trim, color, and transmission. It's believed that only about a dozen convertibles were equipped with the Hemi engine.

4: Pontiac GTO (1964-1969)

Although the GTO first hit the streets in 1964, it wasn’t until 1965 that it truly caught the eye of the muscle car enthusiasts. The 1965 'Goat' remained a favorite among muscle car aficionados even as newer models outpaced it in speed and power, thanks to its iconic status. With a 0-60 time of about 6.1 seconds, it played a crucial role in popularizing the muscle car movement across the United States.

Targeted at the youth market — offering speed and affordability — the Goat packed a 6.3-liter V-8 into a midsize Tempest body, featuring the classic split-grill front design that became one of the most recognizable trademarks of muscle cars. The 1967 version boosted the engine size and swapped its six-pack for a single 4-barrel carb, and offered a "Ram Air" induction option that raised the peak rpm to 360 horsepower, though it was included in only 751 of the 82,000 cars sold that year.

The 1969 'Judge' version slightly increased the horsepower, featuring a 6.5-liter engine and offering several luxury interior options. Along with a redesign of the interior, the exterior was also updated, which sparked a revival of the car’s popularity. This car’s rarity, combined with its nostalgic appeal, caused its value to rise from around $36,000 in 2001 to upwards of $200,000 today [source: CNNMoney.com].

3: Chevrolet Chevelle SS/LS (1966-1970)

The Chevelle, a staple in the muscle car world, underwent numerous redesigns during its reign of popularity. Initially introduced in 1966 as the "Super Sport" option for the 1961 Impala, the Chevelle SS as we know it wasn't fully realized until 1966, featuring its instantly recognizable forward-leaning front fenders, special wheel covers, red-line tires, and black-out grille. The 1966 Chevelle SS 396 was limited to around 100 units, making it highly sought after today. In fact, its resale value has skyrocketed from $28,000 to $369,000 in just the last decade [source: CNNMoney.com].

In 1969, a special order from Chevy dealers who couldn't keep up with demand led to the creation of the Central Office Production Order, or 427 COPO. Released in a limited run of approximately 320 cars, the 427 COPO boasted a 450-horsepower capability with an L-72 427-cid V-8 engine, showing that the dealers were serious about power.

The final legendary SS came in 1970, sporting a 7.4-liter engine with 450 horsepower. It could reach 60 mph in just six seconds flat. With its racing stripes and well-appointed interior, it became the car of choice for many muscle car enthusiasts.

2: Shelby GT 500KR (1964-1968)

The "KR" stands for "King of the Road," and that's exactly what the Shelby is. What once cost $64,000 in 2001 has surged to $100,000, and in some cases, special editions have reached up to $5.5 million [source: CNNMoney.com]. The original GT 500KR boasted a V-8 engine with 360 horsepower, making it the only non-American muscle car truly worth talking about among collectors. Its allure and scarcity remained strong throughout its four-year production run, and it continues to be a topic of reverence among enthusiasts to this day.

The 1964 Cobra 289 roadster, once valued at $175,000 in 2000, has since increased in price to between $330,000 and $5.5 million for the rare "Super Snake" edition. This car is highly prized among elite muscle car aficionados [source: CNNMoney.com]. Meanwhile, the 1966 Shelby Cobra 427 S/C possessed so much raw power that its chassis couldn't keep up, though it boasted an impressive 480 horsepower. In a famous incident, a turbocharged version, ordered by Bill Cosby, was abandoned in a lake after he deemed it too powerful. The only other example of this high-performance muscle car remains in Shelby's collection—a cautionary tale of pushing power to its limits, or perhaps an inspiration.

1: Oldsmobile 442 (1971)

The 442 setup, which includes a 4-barrel carb, a 4-speed transmission, and dual exhaust, initially appeared as an options package for the Cutlass until 1968, when it was introduced as its own distinct model. The standout muscle version was the L69, a one-year-only option in 1971, which featured a more aggressive camshaft, delivering 360 horsepower through a tri-power system with three double-barrel carbs. The car could complete a quarter-mile in 14.8 seconds, with enhanced springs improving its handling characteristics.

The 1970s "W-30" hardtop model, which featured a 365-horsepower engine with a six-pack ("tri-power") motor and an air-induction system fed from the front bumper, is no longer available today. Only 54 factory-produced W-30s were released, with an additional 97 made through dealer installations. For most enthusiasts—if you have $85,000 to spare—it’s probably best to seek out the more accessible L-69 option, which remains a popular choice.