Muscle cars have always been about power and brute presence, hulking machines with smoking tires and massive engines. At least, that is the image that they are meant to conjure in our minds when we encounter them. It is the reason why these images of abandoned cars are almost unbearable to watch. There is no excuse for cars to be treated in this manner when there are several other options available. Thankfully, some of the muscle cars featured here did have an happy ending as they were purchased by enthusiasts bent on restoring them to their former glory. However, for others, it’s the end of the line and the eventual destination is most likely a scrap heap or recycling plant.
10 1971 Plymouth Barracuda
This ranked among some of the most prominent muscle cars in its prime before the brand was discontinued by the Chrysler Corporation. In fact a variant of this car, the Hemi Cuda Convertible, is one of the rarest and most valuable muscle cars today.
This one was discovered still with most of its original parts including a 383 cubic-inch V8 engine, rubber bumpers and black billboards. It is clear that the car had been parked up for a while and as at the time it was found, the owner had refused several offers to sell.
9 1968 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28
The 1968 Camaro Z/28 remains one of the best Camaro models ever made. The car boasted many upgrades over other Camaro models in Chevy’s lineup at the time and was touted as a race-ready Camaro for the SCCA Trans-Am racing series. It is quite rare too as less than 7,200 units were made out of a total Camaro production run of 235,000 units for the 1968 model year.
This one was found abandoned in a field where it had been exposed to the elements of nature for several years before it was discovered again. Thankfully, plans are underway to restore this gem to its former glory.
8 1969 Dodge Charger R/T SE
The hulking muscle car was definitely one of the carmaker’s highlights during the ‘60s. It was a proper muscle car with a four-barrel 440 Magnum engine under the hood that cranked out 375hp. However, the car also came with several luxury features that made for an enjoyable driving experience.
This once sterling example had been transformed to bucket of rust after being abandoned for several decades. It was eventually auctioned off on eBay and the new owner faces a monumental battle to get it back to a working condition.
7 1967 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500
Carroll Shelby is well known for transforming stock Mustangs into something with quite a bit more punch and the ’67 Shelby GT500 was no exception. The car was powered by a 428 cubic-inch engine that put out 355hp at 5,400rpm and 420 pound-feet of torque at 3,200rpm. It could gallop to 60mph in a mere 6.5 seconds and had an estimated 128mph top speed.
This forlorn example was discovered on a front yard out in Georgia, looking completely rundown. The hood was gone and an active green ecosystem had sprouted in place of its engine.
6 2011 Dodge Challenger SRT
A car spotter spotted this unfortunate Challenger SRT languishing in a side street somewhere in Brooklyn. The first time he happened upon it, only the side window had been bashed in but a few days later, the car was missing all its wheels and also spotted several scratches from vandals.
It’s such a shame really to see this kind of fate befall a modern muscle car. The Challenger debuted this signature boxy style in 2008 and has remained relatively unchanged since then.
5 1970 Ford Mustang Boss 302
Ford did make too many of these cars and they were only offered for the 1969 and 1970 model years. Less than 10,000 units rolled off the production line during that period. The Mustang Boss 302 was specifically developed as part of homologation requirements which enabled Ford compete in the SCCA Trans-Am racing series.
This Mustang Boss 302 was just left in the open where it had been for well over 20 years. It was discovered by an elderly man who has now embarked on a project to get the car running once more. Well, he's got quite a task on his hands.
4 1964 Pontiac GTO Convertible
The first generation Pontiac GTO muscle cars started out as an options package for the existing Pontiac LeMans. It was available in both coupe and convertible body styles. The Options package at the time included a 6.4-litre V8 engine that generated 325hp at 4,800rpm.
You also got a Hurst shifter 3-speed manual transmission, hood scoops and GTO badges. The Pontiac GTO is widely regarded as the car that kicked off the muscle car craze which swept through much of the ‘60s and it is quite unfortunate to find one in this condition.
3 1979 Pontiac Trans Am
Strict emission controls and the fuel crisis had all but wiped out all the powerful muscle cars in the ‘70s but that did not diminish their popularity. Cars like this 1979 Pontiac Trans Am were still very prominent with over 100,000 units sold in 1979 alone.
This one was dubbed the ‘10th anniversary edition’ and was offered with special paint treatment, decals and wheels. Very little of that special aura is present now and all its glory days are well past.
2 1987 Buick Grand National
Buick ditched the almost obligatory V8 powerplant and instead opted for a V6 engine in their Grand National muscle car. It was a decision that worked in their favour because the Grand National, with its 245hp and 355 pound-feet of torque, ended up being one of the fastest muscle cars around at the time.
These twin examples, with consecutive VINs, were found in a garage where they had been stowed for three decades. They were in pretty shoddy condition when they were discovered but according to reports, the fully restored cars are now headed for auction where it is expected they will fetch a tidy sum.
1 Dodge Charger Daytona
Only 503 units of the iconic Dodge Daytona were ever built and seeing one in this condition will definitely tug at the heart strings of any car enthusiast. It was a limited-edition vehicle that was created with the singular purpose of winning races and it did just that, winning several NASCAR races in 1969 and 1970.
In 1970, the Daytona became the first car in NASCAR history to break the 200mph barrier. This run-down example was found in a Wisconsin barn where it had lain for over 30 years.