As the old saying goes, you have to speculate to accumulate. Who would have thought that buying a 1971 Plymouth Hemi 'Cuda all those years ago, and then having held on to it, would eventually make its owner a millionaire? There are no doubt ex-Cuda owners out there who kick themselves for selling theirs off cheap in the late seventies.
That though is the world of muscle cars. What appears like a bargain buy today could net you a fortune way down the line, or just sit and fail to rise. It's an automotive game of roulette. Jumping on affordable special edition vehicles like the 1978 Ford Mustang II King Cobra may seem like a good idea, but it's a gamble over whether it will ever be worth anything.
For those looking to get in on the game, there are modern muscle cars that can be circled as future classics. Cars that cause a stir on release, don't cost the earth to buy, and will undoubtedly be sought-after in years to come. If you're looking for a four-wheeled retirement plan or an automotive pension, then here are 10 modern American muscle cars that'll be worth a fortune.
10 Ford Mustang Bullitt
It's the KIng of Cool amongst all Mustangs, just like the hero that elevated its grandfather to superstar status. An homage to the car used in the Steve McQueen movie epic Bullitt. Sporting a 5.0-liter V8 that snarls out a wonderfully sounding 453hp. Able to hit 60mph in 4.6 seconds, the Bullitt edition is an instant classic.
Wearing Highland Green paint, emblazoned with fitting logos, and fitted with specialized trim, it is a unique Mustang. Buy one, enjoy it, and then make sure there is sufficient space in the garage to keep it mint.
9 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon
Demon in name and demonic by nature. The Challenger SRT Demon is truly possessed by some greater power. A power that is rated at 840hp on race fuel. It's a muscle car that will pass the quarter-mile marker in 9.5 seconds at 140mph. That's ridiculously fast. Out on the street, it'll snap a speedo to 60mph in 2.1 seconds.
All that performance makes the SRT Demon a supercar slayer. A vehicle that is a shining beacon to how far the muscle car scene has evolved. They'll be sought-after collectors cars in no time at all.
8 Cadillac CT6 Blackwing
The mighty Blackwing engine is a 4.2-liter twin-turbo V8 that when fitted to the CT6 generated up to 550hp. A powerhouse, it allows the CT6 to hit 60mph in just 4.1 seconds. Beautifully refined, extremely comfortable, and blending luxury with ballistic performance.
The CT6 Blackwing could equal any super sedan offering that emerged from Germany at the time. Sadly withdrawn from sale before it was given a chance to thrive, the Cadillac CT6 Blackwing is a car to seek out and keep. It's a surefire future hit and an awesome machine.
7 Chevrolet Camaro Yenko S2
An original 1969 Camaro Yenko is a unicorn. Only 201 were built, and each is worth over a quarter of a million dollars today. So it stands to reason that the 2021 limited edition Yenko Camaro will follow suit. With only 50 units being produced, it will be even rarer than the original. It has serious bragging rights too, in the form of 1050hp from its 6.8-liter supercharged V8 engine.
Limited to track use, you'll never see one on the road. This all adds up to the Yenko being a car that will no doubt disappear into collections to only rarely break cover.
6 Shelby GT500 Heritage Edition
An inevitable future big-ticket item, the Shelby GT500 in all forms will be an investment. Those looking to hide away the ultimate prize though should focus on the Heritage Edition. Created to mark the car's 55th anniversary, it comes in eye-catching Brittany Blue.
Pushed along by a 760hp supercharged 5.2-liter V8, it'll monster to 60mph in 3.4 seconds. Special edition Shelby mustangs from yesteryear always accumulate in value, and the Heritage Edition will become an enviable addition to any fast Ford collection.
5 Hennessey Corvette ZR1
It's a 1200hp Corvette. That should be enough to secure its place in the history books. Not enough? Okay, it churns out a stump-pulling 1066lb/ft of torque and disintegrates the 0-60mph run in 2.4 seconds. In 50 years, when the internal combustion engine is but a memory, firing up this beast for old time's sake will probably result in absolute chaos.
The Hennessey Corvette ZR1 is a fantastic ode to the appeal of the muscle car. Get one before the world is taken over by eco-activists and gasoline power is banned forever.
4 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE
Big and brawny, the Camaro ZL1 1LE gets a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 spitting out 650hp and 650 lb/ft of torque. That means this Camaro will hit 100mph in 7.4 seconds. That makes for a very fast Camaro, and fast Camaro's have proven to be a very good investment.
It may have a track bias setup but that just makes it even more fun to slice away at corners. The ZL1 1LE will rocket to 60mph in first gear taking just 3.1 seconds. It's a brilliant performance car that will garner a huge following due to its enormous capabilities.
3 Chevrolet SS
It could be considered to be one of the best sleeper cars to have ever rolled off a production line. Not overly showy in its appearance, the Chevrolet SS could be considered to be quite plain. But only on the surface. As lurking beneath the hood is a 6.2-liter V8 with 415hp.
All that power gets sent to the rear wheels, 60mph is despatched in just 4.5 seconds. Those are seriously impressive numbers. The Chevrolet SS was solely overlooked on release, which sets it out to be a car that will be desperately hard to find in years to come.
2 Pontiac G8 GXP
Truth be told, the Pontiac G8 was made in Australia by Holden, but that's what sets it apart from other American-bred muscle cars. Despite its roots, it's still a Pontiac, and Pontiac is as American as it gets. In GXP trim, it got a 6.2-liter LS3 V8 with over 400hp, tuned racing suspension, and huge Brembo brakes.
Only 1800 examples were sold, making it a rare machine. Rare usually means that future values will raise. Plus, as the G8 was Pontiac's first full-size car since the Bonneville, there is an air of exclusivity attached to the range.
1 Shelby GT350R
If there was one car on the list that could be pegged as a sure thing for future fortunes, it would be the Shelby GT350R. A very special car powered by a gloriously naturally aspirated 5.2-liter V8, giving up 526hp. The GT350R will rocket to 60mph in a thunderous 3.7 seconds.
Hewn from a pure block of aggression, the Shelby GT350R is a precision instrument, it is far better than any Mustang could ever have been imagined to be. Give it 70 years and there will likely be an overexuberant Shelby GT350R barn find experience for someone.