Imagine you're 6 years old and with your dad at the market, he buys you a little '69 Camaro Z/28 matchbox car, then you walk outside and see a real one roaring by, laying 2 patches of rubber on the pavement. In your mind, all you are thinking is that that is the best car in human history and you have to own one in about 40 years.
First of all, you should own one. But secondly, know the pros and cons before you sign up.
Pro: Parts Are Cheap For Old American Cars
This is something that enthusiasts from all corners can agree upon - if you live in America, American parts are cheap and easy to find. Even for the rarest of the bunch (i.e. Hemi Cuda, Boss 429) aftermarket parts, and maybe even some original stuff, will be available to you for an affordable mark.
For prominent models like Mustang and Camaro, you can almost get an entire car just through aftermarket bodies, chassis, wiring, interior, and engines if you have the means to do so. Niche aftermarkets are growing for specific models as well, if you have an AMC AMX, Plymouth Valiant, Mercury Cyclone, or any other unique muscle cars, there will be communities and cheap parts for you too.
Con: They Get Horrible Gas Mileage
Getting gas mileage out of an old V8 is an ever-growing science, however, unless you want an eco tune on your 350, you're out of luck. These engines were produced in a time when gas was 30 cents a gallon and horsepower was the dominant factor among car companies, gas mileage wasn't really a thing.
If you took all the best muscle cars and averaged their mpg it would probably be in the 10-14 city range, and that's just normal driving. Get on it, and watch your gas gauge fall by the minute.
Pro: Everyone Respects Old Cars
Cruise down your road in any cool 1960s muscle car and you'll be shocked at all the head turns - not just because of your deafening exhaust, but because people appreciate the preservation of those pieces of history.
You could fly down the road in the most creaky, rusted, and clapped out 66 Nova and still get a thumbs up from the old lady on the sidewalk. Try that in an old Toyota Pickup and you'll get weird look after weird look.
Con: The Lack Of Luxuries
Even cars from the '90s and early 2000s struggle with their climate controls and comfort, so if you want to own an old muscle car, be prepared. You will have to ditch the ways of heated seats and steering wheels for blankets and jackets, and leave behind the wonders of modern exhaust technology for permanent ear damage and carbon monoxide poisoning.
If a silver lining exists, it is the vast aftermarket. Big heater cores, body-hugging seats, and A/C units will be your savior on the normal drive to the store or car show.
Pro: They Are Simple And Easy To Learn
Going hand in hand with the availability of parts is their simplicity. The valve train, heads, ignition system, and almost everything else on these old American engines work exactly as you would think. V8s have big parts and the engine bays they come in usually have more than enough room to work with.
Some big blocks can have trouble with space but otherwise, you can't find an easier template to work on. If you want a project and want to learn about cars, buy an old dirty muscle car. You can tear apart that engine, break things, and learn it all along the way. Plus, you can just buy a cheap replacement for anything you could ever need.
Con: They Lack Safety Technologies
Possibly the most important con of all is their safety. Ever seen GM's crash tests from the 1960s? I don't blame you if you haven't, they are terrifying. Watching dummy after dummy fly out of the car onto the pavement is concerning and should be a large factor in your purchasing decision.
But we don't mean to scare you off, what is most important is that you take precautions for the type of driving you will be doing. If you are building a daily driver, maybe invest in more door supports or chassis cross-members. If you just take it to cars and coffee every Sunday, take a B-road and drive slowly. If you want to drag race it, get a full roll cage and all the regulation equipment you need.
Pro: They're Just Cool
There is a reason why all cars from the '30s up to the early '70s are collectibles, their designs are so unique. And when you compare them all, it is the 60's examples that bring the most attention. The cartoon-ishly over exaggerated body lines, the fat tires, and the noises they make are all qualified reasons to buy one and love it.
And whether we choose to accept it or not, these cars will slowly disappear into history if we do not preserve them. If you have the means to do so, we strongly encourage you to make a project out of a cool old muscle car and share it with the ones you love. Cars will become a big part of your life if you let them in, so just accept it and buy one.