American classic cars are among the best classic cars in the world. From the Cadillac Eldorado to the Chevrolet Nova, American carmakers have come up with some of the greatest cars ever made. As time went by, some of those cars have greatly appreciated in value. However, not all classics are worth as much as a Los Angeles mansion.
Chevrolet has been able to remain relevant for ages. Though many Chevy cars are outrageously expensive, there are some badass classic Chevrolets that you can buy cheap used. They may vary in age and power, but in the end, they are really cool Chevrolet cars that will turn heads wherever they go.
10 1958 Chevrolet Biscayne
Chevrolet was originally established in 1911. The company was then acquired by General Motors in 1917. Similar to other domestic automakers, Chevrolet really blew up following World War 2. With cars such as the Corvette and the Bel Air, Chevrolet was able to really cement its reputation as a legitimate car manufacturer.
The Biscayne is the sort of classic car that is surprisingly cheap to maintain. The very first Biscaynes were a variant of the Bel-Air. They were much cheaper, yet just as attractive as the Bel-Air. The Biscayne is not the most powerful car out there, but it is a great base for a restomod project. The Chevy classic can be purchased for about $13,000 in terrific condition.
9 1967 Chevrolet Corvair Monza
The 1960s are known as the golden era of the muscle car. In fact, the decade saw the apparition of the legendary Mustang and its archenemy the Camaro. Moreover, the Corvette received a much more interesting facelift. The Stingray was a game-changer, especially the L88-powered version.
The Corvair Monza was only in production between 1960 and 1969. During its tenure, the Corvair received some poorly powered engines in comparison to most iconic Chevy cars. Fitted with a 2.7L flat-six producing 180 hp at best, it was nowhere as powerful as the Corvette or Camaro of the same era. A Corvair Monza in great condition can be obtained for about $10,000.
8 1970 Chevrolet Caprice
To most people, the Chevrolet Caprice is a big-body sedan. It is not perceived as a mean muscle sedan or anything. As a matter of fact, the Caprice tends to be overlooked by most people with a need for speed. However, the older versions of the Caprice are great cars that are far more stylish than some of the newer domestic cars.
The Chevy Caprice is one of the most stylish coupes made by General Motors. The elongated coupe is not as powerful and sporty as some other Chevrolet coupes, but it is a perfect cruiser. Equipped with a 7.4L Turbo-Jet V8, the Caprice produces 390 hp at best. In mint condition, the '70 Caprice costs around $13,700.
7 1974 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu
The 1970s started off perfectly. Most American cars were powered with some of the largest and powerful engines out there. However, in the mid-1970s, the US government passed several emission regulations that basically annihilated the entire automotive industry.
The Chevy Chevelle Malibu is unlike the legendary Chevelle. The car dropped its muscle car feel and looks more like a tamer coupe. As 1974 was the very beginning of the Malaise Era, the Chevelle Malibu is equipped with a huge 454ci V8 that only produces 245 hp. Fortunately, the Chevelle Malibu goes for around $8,250.
6 1975 Chevrolet Nova
While the entire automotive industry was in shambles, the last nail in the coffin came about when the oil crisis wreaked havoc. As the oil supply tremendously decreased and gas prices went off the roof, American cars fitted with huge V8s ended up becoming money pits. As a result, domestic carmakers came up with alternatives.
The '75 Chevy Nova SS is unlike its predecessor. Though the coupe is equally mesmerizing as the previous generations, it is powered by a big-block V8 that produces no power whatsoever. Despite this major negative point, the Nova SS will still set you back $16,000, which is not too bad given the fact that this price includes all the bells and whistles one would want to have on a muscle car.
5 1979 Chevrolet El Camino
Back then, Chevrolet and Ford released some very cool half coupe/ half pickup truck cars. The Ranchero was cool, but the El Camino was far better. The El Camino was designed and marketed in a much better way than the Ranchero. The El Camino and Ranchero were huge successes, yet both carmakers decided to put an end to them.
Though the '79 Chevy El Camino is nowhere as mean-looking as the previous generations, it does have a very peculiar style. At best, the El Camino is fitted with a 350ci small-block V8 that produces 170 hp. That is not much for a car that size. Fortunately, tuners out there have mastered swapping old, sluggish engines for something more powerful, like an LS. In mint condition, a '79 El Camino will cost around $14,000.
4 1983 Chevrolet C10
Chevrolet is well-known for its Silverad0 Series. Over the years, The company has perfected its large-sized trucks and is now a serious contender to America's favorite Ford F-Series. However, the Silverado Series was preceded by equally admirable trucks. This C110 is the perfect example of a cool classic Chevy truck.
The C10 is one of those classic pickups people desperately want back. The truck is stylish, and despite its sluggish 250ci inline-six that produces 100 hp and 175 lb-ft of torque, it can be turned into a great machine that both tear up the asphalt and be a great show car. As the C10 is slowly but surely becoming a collectible, its value has increased. However, for $23,000 in terrific condition, the '83 C10 is an absolute steal.
3 1985 Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z
The Camaro is the only car that truly rivals the Mustang. Released one year after, the Camaro came out with a very sporty design, yet was not as popular as the Mustang. As time went by, Ford maintained its pole position, while Chevrolet was trailing not too far behind.
The Camaro IROC-Z is one of the most emblematic cars of the 1980s. Thanks to its 5.0L V8, the top-line IROC-Z cranks out 215 hp, which is a lot for this era. Surprisingly, the IROC-Z did not become as popular as the Fox Body Mustang in the most recent years. It is quite easy to find an IROC-Z in great condition for less than $10,000.
2 1987 Chevrolet Corvette
While Chevrolet was challenging the Ford Mustang with its Camaro, the company was also busy grabbing the monopoly on the high-end muscle car market. Though most automakers released high-end special editions of their highly-mass-produced cars, nothing was as incredible as the Chevrolet Corvette.
The Corvette is by far the only high-end muscle car on the market. Even back in the 1980s, the Corvette was unlike most muscle cars available. On top of looking absolutely gorgeous, the Corvette boasts a 5.7L V8 that develops 240 hp and 345 lb-ft of torque. A 1987 Corvette in prime condition will cost around $13,000.
1 1988 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
The 1980s saw most manufacturers tremendously decrease the attractiveness and power of the previously successful muscle cars. The Dodge Challenger was a re-badged Mitsubishi and the base Camaro was fitted with a 5.0L V8 that only produced 215 hp. Thankfully, the Monte Carlo was re-released and became a great alternative to the most popular muscle cars.
The Monte Carlo shares the same body as the Buick Regal that later turned into the Grand National, and later the GNX. Similar to its twins, the Monte Carlo SS is a decent car powered by a small-block 305ci V8 that produces 180 hp and 225 lb-ft of torque. The average price for a Monte Carlo SS in good condition is $11,500.