Total Car Score Names the Top 10 Best Muscle Cars
Published: 09/25/2012 |
These 10 classic muscle cars represent the best of the best
Los Angeles, CA – September 25, 2012 – Total Car Score, the most comprehensive automotive ranking and comparison website, has identified the Top 10 Best Classic Muscle Cars. The site has also identified the Top 10 Best Modern Muscle Car Deals that offer excellent performance at a much lower cost.
"We’re seeing a general rise in the transaction prices of classic muscle cars as market interest in these models picks up,” said Karl Brauer, Editor in Chief of Total Car Score. “Rare older models, in original or properly restored condition, are increasing in value even as the general economy continues to struggle. At the same time, the capability of modern muscle cars has skyrocketed over the past 12 years. For value seekers, several models produced between 2000 and 2010 offer excellent performance at a relatively low purchase price.”
As the 2012 automotive auction season winds down Total Car Score has identified the following top 10 classic American muscle cars that provided not only stunning performance when new but strong market value today. Vintage car collectors consider these must-have muscle cars, which is undoubtedly driving up the prices.
1) 1969 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1
In 1969 Chevrolet extended the Camaro’s performance pedigree by building 69 models with a 427 cubic inch aluminum block V8 engine. Technically a Camaro engine option available through the Central Office Production Order (COPO) system, the 1969 Camaro ZL1 is the rarest, most valuable Camaro ever produced.Current Market Value: $425,000
2) 1971 Plymouth Hemi ‘Cuda
The muscle car era was on the ropes by 1971, but Plymouth would still sell you a 425 horsepower, 426 Hemi engine in a ‘Cuda. Only 108 coupes were built, along with 11 Hemi ‘Cuda convertibles, in 1971. All of them had a shaker hood scoop, wide stance, and some of the best exterior proportions you’ll ever see in a vehicle design.Current Market Value: $425,000
3) 1969 Dodge Charger Daytona Hemi
NASCAR was a bigger deal in 1969, at least in terms of influencing car sales, than it is today. Winning on Sunday really would sell cars on Monday, and Dodge wanted to win with an ultra aerodynamic version of the Charger. Called the Charger Daytona, only 503 were built and only 70 of those had Hemi engines.Current Market Value: $400,000
4) 1969 Ford Boss 429 Mustang
Speaking of NASCAR, Ford wanted to win too. And because they didn’t have to put their race engine into their race car (the Torino) they decided to put it in their highest-profile car, the Mustang. Only 859 were built in 1969, all by an outside contractor who had to move the shock towers to fit the massive Boss 429 engine.Current Market Value: $220,000
5) 1968 Ford Mustang GT500KR
Carroll Shelby has a history of hot-rodding Mustangs that started in 1965. And while production of Shelby Mustangs switched from Carroll’s shop to Ford’s in-house facilities in 1968, the GT500KR is one of the most attractive and capable Shelby Mustangs ever created. Only 933 coupes were built, along with 318 convertibles.Current Market Value: $130,000
6) 1970 Pontiac GTO Judge Ram Air IV
Pontiac’s GTO started the official muscle car era in 1964. By 1970 the competition on the street, and in the showrooms, required every automaker to step up their efforts. Pontiac responded with the GTO Judge powered by the Ram Air IV engine, a 400 cubic inch V8 with special high-flow heads and unique exhaust manifolds.
Current Market Value: $80,000
7) 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454 LS6
What’s the highest power rating ever given to a car from the original muscle car era? The 450 horsepower assigned to the 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS equipped with an LS6 454 cubic inch V8 engine. Even this rating was below the engine’s actual horsepower, which was likely somewhere between 470 and 500 horsepower.Current Market Value $75,000
8) 1970 Buick GSX Stage 1
Buick was a performance player back in the muscle car days, with 455 cubic inch V8s offered in the company’s Gran Sport (GS) models. The top dog was the 1970 Buick GSX with the 455 Stage 1 engine rated at 370 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque. Only 400 GSXs were produced with the Stage 1 455 in 1970.
Current Market Value: $75,000
9) 1973 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am SD455
The muscle car era officially ended in 1971, but a small group of Pontiac engineers refused to give up. They created an evolution of the Ram Air IV engine and offered it in 1973 and 1974 Firebirds. Underrated at 310 horsepower, the 1973 Super Duty was a fully capable muscle car available years after all others had evaporated.Current Market Value: $75,000
10) 1970 Oldsmobile 442 W-30
At the peak of the muscle car era Oldsmobile offered a 455 cubic inch V8 engine in the brand’s 442 muscle car. When equipped with the W-30 option the 1970 Oldsmobile 442 was rated at 370 horsepower and 500 pound-feet of torque, often while sporting such luxuries as air conditioning and power windows.
Current Market Value: $35,000
Also check out Total Car Score's list:
rogerd
04/16/2013
04/16/2013
Nice picks for the top 10 old school muscle cars!
The '69 COPO's like my old Chevelle . . . http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvmXdw8dpQg . . .
fall into a category of their own and yes, it's exactly what the documents say it is . . .
Current market value of my COPO HPC Chevelle, priceless . . .
The '69 COPO's like my old Chevelle . . . http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvmXdw8dpQg . . .
fall into a category of their own and yes, it's exactly what the documents say it is . . .
Current market value of my COPO HPC Chevelle, priceless . . .
rosenb37
04/14/2013
04/14/2013
1. The 455 Stage 1 was rated at 360 hp, not 370.
2. Where are you finding these W-30s for $35k? Power windows are rare with less than 12% ordered for 442s according to info from the GM Heritage Center.
3. The production figures for the GT-500KR are incorrect as 1,053 and 518 were built. (http://428cobrajet.com/production)
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