Muscle cars were the sports cars of yesteryear, and to think that despite all their dangerous emission levels, their complete lack of modern safety features, and the lack of techy instrumentation that they weren’t loved, is a big mistake that only the uninitiated car enthusiast would make.
A whole world of classic muscle cars exists, and it's filled with legends and stories of these high performing ancestors of the modern sports car. Truth be told, there are a whole lot of people who are muscle car collectors who wouldn’t mind spending a fortune to get the rare pleasure of owning these fragments of automotive history.
Collectors wouldn’t just buy any muscle car that’s thrown at them, however, as any muscle they choose has to be special, rare, and have an outstanding performance compared to its fellow muscle brethren. So here are 15 special muscle cars that are very valuable and five ones where buyers were like, "Meh, what’ve I got to lose anyway?"
19 Worth A Fortune: 1962 Shelby Cobra CSX2000 – $13,750,000
The CSX2000 was the first car Carroll Shelby built after quitting his racing career. This car was the mother of all American sports cars and could do 60 MPH in 4.2 seconds with a lightweight OHV V8 engine that churned 260 HP. Irrespective of what you think, some classic Shelby modified Fords are selling for ridiculous prices and with the ton of history each one carries, they deserve to.
18 Worth A Fortune: 1964 Ford GT40 Prototype – $7,000,000
This Ford GT40 Prototype sold sometime in 2014 to an if-I-can’t-get-it-then-no-one-can, Ford enthusiast for a lifesaving $7,000,000. Although, the price seems right when we take into consideration that this was the car designed to trash Ferrari on the tracks with a specially tuned Shelby V8 engine, and four years and four-time winner of the Le Mans race.
17 Worth A Fortune: 1954 Pontiac Bonneville Special Motorama Concept Car – $3,080,000
Styled by Harley Earl, GM’s famous car design specialist, this car rides with a 230 HP generating engine and its grand interior was shined to reflect the taste and class of the time. This vehicle sold for a little over $3 million, a living testament of the value of Earl's talent.
16 Worth A Fortune: 1970 Plymouth Hemi Cuda Convertible – $2,250,000
Back in 1970, only 14 of these Cudas were built and this particular one was leased to one of the original designers, John Herlitz. Now, this convertible belongs to a buyer who was able and willing to pay $2,250,000 to own his happily ever after. We’re curious to know if the new owner really drives it or if he just parked a significant piece of muscle car history in his garage.
15 Worth A Fortune: 1967 Shelby Mustang GT500 Super Snake – $2,200,000
This is another time Ford lovers have pushed the bar while proving their love for the brand. This ’67 GT500 was powered by a 427 racing engine that had powered the Ford GT40 to win a 24 hours LeMans. The sweet poison of the ’67 GT500 must’ve been so strong on the Ford lover that he didn’t mind doubling the worth of this Mustang to a record-breaking $2,200,000.
14 Worth A Fortune: 1965 Shelby Cobra 427 Roadster CSX – $1,595,000
Concept cars aren’t cheap, and this car is the epitome of beauty and a brain – or in this case – high performance. This Cobra 427 Roadster CSX comes with an eight-cylinder 427 cubic inch engine. It underwent a serious restoration that saw every inch of it restored to their past glory, making it good enough to sell for $1,595,000
13 Worth A Fortune: 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454 LS6 – $1,150,000
The Chevelle SS 454 LS6 is no slouch. The vehicle comes with a great engine that spouts 450 HP and was a powerful muscle car for its time, reaching great speeds. This true SS 454 LS6 sold for an astonishing price that many supercar manufacturers of today only dream their car will sell for.
12 Worth A Fortune: 1969 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 – $1,094,500
This Camaro ZL1 was built to race. Its big-block V8 engine was powerful enough to control the track effortlessly, flawlessly defeating other cars in racing competitions. Plus, the engine of this particular ZL1 was admirable and the body paint was a case of perfection. However, despite all of this, we’re quite surprised to see it get sold for $1,094,500. It’s now the only recognized Camaro to have sold for millions.
11 Worth A Fortune: 1965 Shelby Mustang GT350R – $990,000
The ’65 Shelby Mustang is a car that would remain throughout time to be one of the greatest Shelby Mustangs. It won and held lots of racing championships, helping Ford cement the 350 GTR as a racing car in the minds of drivers. Remarkably, they were produced in Wimbledon White and Guardsman Blue. Presented in original racing conditions, this racer sold for $990,000. An extra $10,000 would’ve been better for the books.
10 Worth A Fortune: 1969 Dodge Charger Hemi Daytona – $900,000
Everyone knows only 503 Dodge Daytonas were produced in 1969. But what makes this Daytona really expensive was the fact that it was among the select few units that came with a four-speed transmission and a V8 Hemi engine that supplied 425 HP. In January 2015, this best example Daytona was sold for $900,000, maybe because it had only traveled 6,500 miles.
9 Worth A Fortune: 1968 Chevrolet Corvette L88 – $880,000
This Chevy Corvette L88 wasn’t just special because it came with the original tires and manuals, but because it was one of only eighty units built in its production year of 1968. No serious Corvette enthusiasts with deep pockets would pass an opportunity to own a rare muscle, even if it was for $800,000.
8 Worth A Fortune: 1971 Dodge Hemi Challenger R/T – $550,000
This rare Dodge Hemi Challenger is one of only thirty-six units existing today. So, what are the chances of getting a ’71 Challenger in good condition with its function engine and a very short mileage of just 1,800 miles? Slim, right? Now you know why this Dodge sold for the sum of $550,000.
7 Worth A Fortune: 1970 Ford Mustang Boss 429 Fastback – $550,000
The Boss 429 is another car from the stables of Ford’s Mustang that reached collector status because it was able to satisfy its driver's need for speed. Pulled out from the Wellborn Musclecar Museum of Alabama, this totally unrestored Mustang has only traveled less than five thousand miles and was the delight of the collectors who grabbed it at an auction. It was all too obvious that he had some plans of customizing the muscle 429 Fastback.
6 Worth A Fortune: 1969 Chevrolet Yenko Nova - $500,000
This Chevy Yenko Nova is a remarkable car that reminds us of its marvelous creator, Don Yenko. He personally modified Chevy’s vehicles and brought them up to speed. For the Nova, he fitted it with an engine that generates a top speed of 120 MPH and made 60 MPH within five seconds. This classic ride sells for $500,000.
5 Worth A Fortune: 1964 Chevrolet Corvette Tanker Coupe – $400,000
Chevy’s Corvettes, since their inception, have been known to be high performing cars, and the very shape and build of this Tanker coupe testifies to what this Corvette enjoys. It bears close similarities to a ’63 Z06 and it had been completely restored to its previous glory. Plus, it comes with the original warranty documents.
4 Costs Nothing: 1970 Dodge Dart – $14,900
The Dodge Dart enjoyed a relatively long production run and it was loved by drivers for a few years until Dodge decided to make changes to the exterior, causing most prospective drivers to abandon the ‘70s Dodge Dart. There’s no doubt that that dislike still hangs on with the Dart and has affected its sales numbers negatively.
3 Costs Nothing: 1968 Ford Falcon – $6,800
Unimpressive and dull, the exterior and interior design of the 1968 Ford Falcon did nothing to improve its market value, and today, this classic Ford sells for a disappointing $6,800. If you ask us, the low value of the classic Falcon continues to haunt the modern Ford Falcon currently in production.
2 Costs Nothing: 1970 Buick Skylark – $6,750
Buick’s Skylark holds close to the bottom of the barrel. This muscle car has an interesting name but disappoints when it comes to its performance. This Skylark at least came with air conditioning, power windows, and power steering on a V8 engine. Otherwise, it’s a muscle car that’s best avoided.
1 Costs Nothing: Pontiac Grand Ville Convertible - $3,500
If you expected the Pontiac Grand Ville to gather a lot of cash at an auction, then we're sorry to disappoint you because the Grand Ville Convertible only managed to raise a $3,500 at auction. Maybe it can now pay for all the gas it’d consumed in its mileage. Shockingly, it was in this very auction that a Dodge Daytona sold for $900,000. We guess it's time to pack your feelings out the door, Grand Ville. No one loves you anymore.