Before diving into which classic muscle cars should and should not be modified, it is important to remind automotive fans that this is a highly subjective topic. Over the years, people have stumbled upon absolutely perfect classics in mint original condition, but they have also bumped into classics that were tastefully customized and gave those oldies some "Je ne sais quoi."
Though a subjective topic, some classics have so few units produced that keeping it in its original form is worth a whole lot more than adding a spoiler as well as some stickers and spinning wheels. Legendary American muscle cars, such as the Mustang, the GTO, the Corvette, or the Camaro, all have their own special editions that are extremely hard to find. Those are the cars that should never be customized.
10 1967 Shelby GT500 Super Snake
Most automotive fans are very familiar with the 1969 Shelby GT500. Thanks to its extremely sporty look and media attention, it has been at the emblem of a generation of muscle cars. However, the Shelby GT500 Super Snake is a very rare gem.
The Super Snake is equipped with a 427 V8 developing 550hp. Being the original Super Snake, modifying this one-of-a-kind Mustang is the biggest insult to classic car fans. It has been said that only 10 1967 Super Snake units were produced. The only known Super Snake in mint condition was sold at auction for a cool $2.2 million.
9 1967 Chevrolet Corvette L88
Classic Corvettes have received their fair amount of modifications. Even if it is okay to admit that some of them are breathtaking, it is very important to look at what is being modified. The 1967 Chevrolet Corvette L88 is one of kind simply because only 20 were manufactured.
The L88 is equipped with a V8 capable of producing 435hp, as claimed by General Motors. It was however said that the highly modified V8 was capable of producing 580hp. For a car built in 1967, it is very impressive. A Corvette L88 was auctioned for a whopping $3,850,000.
8 1970 Plymouth Roadrunner Convertible
Though the Roadrunner is not a rare car per se, one edition is. Only 658 of the 1970 Plymouth Roadrunner convertible was produced. Out of the 658, 34 were the 440-6BBL trim. Even rarer is the 4-speed manual transmission Roadrunner. Only 20 units produced. As a result, finding this trim is like looking for a needle in a haystack.
Needless to say, the 4-speed transmission is not cheap and can go for at least $200,000. The V8, however, is not as powerful as people would expect from a special edition. With 390hp, drivers can still enjoy cruising in this classic on a sunny Sunday afternoon.
7 1970 Dodge Challenger Hemi R/T Convertible
The new Dodge Challenger RT does not come as convertible, sadly. Tuners have nevertheless taken it on themselves to make it happen. The result is mind-blowing. In 1970, Dodge released a convertible version of the Challenger.
Only 149 units were produced which makes it really hard to find. The convertible Challenger is equipped with a 426 Hemi V8 producing a very enjoyable 425hp. One 1970 Challenger RT convertible was sold a few years back for $1.8 million.
6 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454 LS6
The Chevrolet Chevelle is one of those muscle cars that tuners love to modify. With the possibility to turn this amazing muscle car into a drag ready monster, it is understandable that the car was always popular in the industry. The Chevelle SS 454 LS6 is one of those Chevelles that should remain untouched.
Though 4,475 units of the car were produced, finding one in perfect condition with all original parts is quite difficult. The car was in its prime the car to own in order to be the king of night races thanks to its 7.4L V8 developing 450hp. Nowadays, the Chevelle SS 454 LS6 sells for at least $200,000.
5 1987 Buick GNX
The 1980s was a weird decade on so many levels. As far as muscle cars are concerned, it is difficult to understand what exactly car manufacturers were trying to achieve. This 3.8L V6 Buick GNX producing a shy 276hp remains an iconic muscle car of the 1980s.
This Buick still packs a punch but is nowhere as thrilling as what was produced during the previous decades. Only 547 GNX were produced which makes this boosted Grand National a rarity. One GNX was allegedly sold for $127,000 with less than 10,000 miles on the odometer.
4 1992 Pontiac Firehawk
The Pontiac Firehawk is a derivative of the famous Firebird. With only 11 units produced, finding one for sale is quite a daunting task. With features that surely belongs to the 1990s, this Pontiac is one car that should belong in a collector's garage.
The 5.7L V8 producing 350hp is not the most powerful engine out there but still allows the car to reach a top speed of 160mph. This Firehawk is going for $90,000, which might be a hard pill to swallow for muscle car fans.
3 2005 Dodge Ram SRT-10
Does the Dodge Ram SRT-10 qualify as a classic muscle car? Absolutely. Equipped with an 8.3L V10 producing 500hp, the two-door Ram is the most exclusive version available. Only 5,113 units were produced in 2005, with less than half with a regular cab. The muscle truck, equipped with the same engine as the Dodge Viper, is an all-American truck that is very likely to increase in value over time.
The only modification that would be deemed acceptable is a louder exhaust. Even then, someone would have to come up with a logical explanation for why the exhaust needs to be changed. The Ram SRT-10 in good condition can go for $45,000.
2 2019 Chevrolet Camaro COPO
The Chevrolet Camaro COPO is a street-legal version of a drag racing vehicle. The telltale signs are numerous. The 2019 COPO is the 50th-anniversary edition which makes it very special. What's even more special is the fact that a street-legal vehicle equipped with a 6.2L V8 producing 755hp.
Only 69 units were produced and sold for $148,000. That is why the car is hard to find. This supercharged Camaro is perfectly adapted to drag races. It is highly debatable whether it is a good daily driver or not. More likely than not, the value of this COPO Camaro will increase over time if carefully maintained. Though released in 2019, the COPO Camaro is on the right track to becoming a classic.
1 2020 Dodge Charger Daytona Hellcat Widebody
The Dodge Charger was already an iconic vehicle when it was first released decades ago. Redesigned as a sedan, the Charger became America's fastest and meanest homemade sedan. Dodge offered the SRT8 trim for adrenaline junkies. However, the car manufacturer realized that it was just not enough to quench some people's thirst.
For 2020, Dodge released the Charger Daytona Hellcat Widebody. It is the type of cars that become instant classics upon their release. It has the same beastly 6.2L V8 producing 707hp as other Hellcats. This is by far the fastest and most aggressive Dodge Charger currently available at a dealership near you. Maybe. Only 501 units were produced.