It's neither Ford nor Chevy that started the muscle car revolution. These hardened, big-engine, fast cars were born by General Motors in 1949 when they unveiled the Oldsmobile Rocket 88. And after its success, Ford took the game a notch higher, before Chevy stepped into the scene to steal the glory from the men under Carroll Shelby.

Why mention Carroll in the first place?

Because he is the man who redefined the muscle car. He took, what was a Ford Falcon, and converted it to what is one of the greatest and longest-running nameplates in the motor industry – the Ford Mustang.

Any muscle car enthusiast, therefore, thirsts to drive a GT350R, a GT500, a Camaro ZL1, or a Camaro ZL1 1LE. But here’s the problem, these cars are kind of out of reach to the average Joe.

So does that mean you can’t enjoy the best of Muscle cars ever produced? Not really, these 10 are among the cheapest you can buy, and for a great value. Dig in and find out whether your favorite muscle ride is one of them.

10 1996 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 SS ($8,000 - $15,000)

Via: Bring a Trailer

The 1996 Z28 SS is an upgraded version of the Z28. A 5.7-liter V-8 engine that generated 305 horsepower and 355 lb-ft of torque, powered this American stallion. This engine was powerful enough to make the Z28 SS run a quarter-mile in 13.9 seconds and hit a top speed of 150mph.

RELATED: 10 Car Nameplates That Managed To Redeem Themselves

Via : MyCarBoard

 

But it wasn’t all glory for this powerful Chevy.

Despite carrying upgrades from its predecessor, the fourth-generation Camaro wasn’t as popular as Chevy might have thought. Slow sales and the decreased demand for muscle and sports cars made Chevrolet discontinue the production of the Z28 SS in 2002.

9 1990 Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z ($7,000 - $9,000)

Via : Barrett Jackson

The 1990 Camaro IROC-Z was a third-generation Camaro that was named after the International race of champions (IROC). Chevy offered it as an optional package to the Z28. The 1990 Camaro IROC-Z was the top-of-the-range model for many years and thus it was included in the list of best cars from its era.

Via : Mecum Auctions

Under the hood was a 5.7-liter V-8 engine that pushed 245 horsepower and 345 lb-ft of torque. The IROC-Z sprinted from 0-60 mph in 6.1 seconds, before hitting a top speed of 145mph.

Yes, it's not as fast as the upgraded Z28 SS, but for a car from this era, you’ll be driving what was a legend of its time.

8 1975 Dodge Dart Sport ($6,000 - $9,000)

Via: Reddit

The Dodge Dart started its life as a full-sized vehicle before it was relegated to a compact car in 1963. The Dart then retained this status until its discontinuation in 1976

Via: Spencer Classics

The Dodge Dart sport is thus the fourth-generation Dart. With this one, Dodge joined the muscle car wars with exciting engine options. Following the 1973 oil crisis, the Sport arrived in 1974 with a 5.9-liter V-8 engine that generated 245 horsepower. It was the most potent engine of its time.

Fast forward, a year later, and the 1975 Dodge Dart Sport featured a toned-down 5.2-liter V-8 engine that pushed 145 ponies and 255 lb-ft of torque. Still, it was a great muscle car buy.

7 2004 Mercury Marauder ($10,000 - $15,000)

Via: Auto Trader

The 2004 Mercury Marauder is one of the few vehicles that fly under the radar of most muscle car fans. This beautiful ride was considered a beefed-up version of the rear-wheel-drive Mercury Grand Marquis. Under the hood was a 32-valve edition of the FoMoCo’s 4.6-liter V-8 engine. Mercury paired this power unit with a four-speed automatic transmission. The final output was 302 ravaging ponies and 318 lb-ft of torque.

Via: Pinterest

This top engine performance saw the Marauder sprint from 0-60 mph in 7.0 seconds. Today, this beauty trades from $10,000 to $15,000.

6 1975 Ford Maverick Grabber ($10,200)

Via: Daily Turismo

The 1975 Ford Maverick Grabber is one of the coolest looking cars from the 70s, with an affordable price tag. Its beauty is coupled with a beastly 5.0L V-8 engine that cranked up 129 horses and 208 lb-ft of torque.

RELATED: These Unpopular Muscle Cars Are Now Selling For Peanuts

Via: Hemmingway Motor News

 

Yes, today, 129hp would put you way below the performance of a hot hatch, leave alone a standard trim muscle car. However, the Maverick was, well, a maverick of its time, which has seen it maintain a lot of value since ’75. Prices start from $9,000, with a well-maintained one scooping up to $20,000 in the market.

5 1993 Ford SVT Mustang Cobra ($8,450-$12,550)

Via: Hemmings Motor News

The 1993 Ford SVT Mustang Cobra debuted as a third-generation Mustang. It was the first model that was embedded in this special badge.

Via: Mecum Auctions

The STV Mustang Cobra was the most powerful and sportiest version of the Fox-body Mustang. A 5.0-liter V-8 engine that pushed 235 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque powered this beauty. This made the SVT Mustang Cobra a top performer, clocking 5.9 seconds in a 0-60mph sprint.

Sadly, it was in production for only one year. Today, despite the limited production of this muscle car, mint versions are being sold for anywhere between $8,450 and $12,550.

4 1968 Ford Mustang ($13,500)

Via : Automobile Magazine

When it comes to affordable muscle cars, the Mustang is one of the cars that always top the chart. And for this particular ride, you’ll be getting great value for a price that should be a bargain.

Via : Carscoops

1968 was a good year for the Mustang. Carroll Shelby was serving superb Mustangs hot from Ford’s kitchen. This happened to be one of the great masterpieces released over this period. Under the hood was a 4.9L V-8 engine that produced 230hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. Despite not being as track-focused as the GT350R that shook the industry, this ‘68 Mustang still butchered the drag strip, finishing the quarter-mile in 15.7 seconds. It also boasted of a top speed of 120mph.

The greatness of this car is reflected by its price tag today. You can get one for about $13,500, but a well-maintained ’68 Mustang would cost you $20,000 or upwards.

3 1971 Ford Torino GT ($11,950-$15,900)

Via : Wikimedia Commons

Initially, the Ford Torino was not designed as a muscle car. It was offered as either a wagon or a sedan. However, from 1970 to 1971, the Ford Torino GT joined the muscle car Market.

RELATED: Ford Torino Cobra And 9 More Extremely Underrated American Muscle Cars

Via : Mecum Auctions

 

And that was not a bad move by Ford. The Torino became one of the most authentic and classic muscle cars on the market. A massive 5.8-liter V-8 engine that pushed 285 horsepower and 370 lb-ft of torque, powered it. The car could clock a top speed of 129 mph, with a staggering quarter-mile run of 15.9 seconds.

Today, a mint version of the Torino GT ranges from $11,950 to $15,900.

2 1970 Mercury Cyclone GT ($12,350)

Via : Classic Cars

The 1970 Mercury Cyclone GT was the Mercury version of the Torino GT. Despite sharing underpinnings with the Torino, this beauty featured a fancier interior and unique exterior.

Via : Vintage Car Collector

Under its hood sat a naturally aspirated V-8 engine that paired to a three-speed manual transmission. This engine pushed 300 horsepower and 380 lb-ft of torque. The top speed of this Cyclone was rated at the top of category 3 (122mph), with a staggering 0-60mph sprint of 6.7 seconds.

Today, the price of the 1970 Mercury Cyclone stands close to that of the Torino GT, albeit a bit higher thanks to the fancier interior. Prices start at $12,350.

1 1979 Pontiac Firebird ($10,000)

Via : the Electric Garage

In the late ’70s, the Pontiac firebird was living its best life thanks to the popularity it gained after featuring in the movie, Smokey, and the Bandit. This made it one of the top sellers of its time. And if you go under the hood, you’ll understand that this wasn’t entirely because of a Hollywood appearance.

Via : Klipnik

Pontiac fitted a 4.9L engine that pushed 135 horsepower and 240 lb-ft of torque to this Firebird. Apart from the encore V8, “civilized” buyers had the option of a tamer six-cylinder engine.

Today, the Pontiac Firebird pops up on the list of old cars that fetch around $10,000. However, you can get a well-preserved model for around $19,000. Even better, there are plenty of V-8 models to choose from, in case you prefer mechanical rowdiness over the civilization of the six-cylinder models from the late ’70s.

NEXT: Awesome Pontiacs You Can Buy Dirt Cheap Today