After dominating for much of the last century, the fabled V8 engine is slowly losing its standing with automakers and motorists. Smaller, more efficient four and six-cylinder engines have already overtaken the V8, with manufacturers using turbochargers and electric motors when they need a power boost.
Whether the V8 engine finally becomes extinct or not, it will always hold a special place in automotive history books. The V8 has been used in some of the most iconic classic cars in history, particularly in the '60s. The '60s was when manufacturers finally cracked the code of how to make incredibly fast V8-powered cars. For those looking to own a V8-powered classic from the '60s, there are plenty of good-condition vehicles available. While some of them may even cost millions—such as the 1962 Shelby Cobra—these ten are still relatively affordable.
10 1969 Chevrolet Corvette - $20,600
The '60s is considered to be the period when the Corvette went from a lovely sport cruiser to a fully-fledged performance car that could take on the best '60s European sports cars. Although it is overshadowed by the 1963 Sting Ray and the 1967 L88, the 1969 Corvette was still an excellent car that looked as good as it drove.
The base engine was a 350 cid small-block Chevrolet V8 cranking out 300 horsepower, but buyers could upgrade to a larger L71 V8 with 435 horsepower on tap. A long-selling season in 1969 allowed Chevrolet to sell 38,762 Corvettes—a 30 percent jump compared to the previous year. Many of these cars survive today, which explains the friendly price.
9 1967 Pontiac LeMans - $ 12,200
Every gearhead knows about the legendary Pontiac GTO, but not many know that before it became a separate model in 1966, the GTO was merely a performance package for the Pontiac LeMans. The Pontiac LeMans is a mid-sized sedan manufactured from 1962 to 1981 in the US offering two- and four-door configurations.
The 1967 version of the LeMans maintained a similar design to the original but ditched the Chevrolet-based six-cylinder engine for Pontiac's new, exclusive inline-sixes. Buyers could also opt for a 250-horsepower two-barrel 3.9-liter V8 or a 285-horsepower four-barrel V8.
8 1968 Dodge Charger - $22,700
The 1968 Dodge Charger is one of those cars that almost every gearhead seems to know about. There's a good reason for this—the 1968 Charger is one of the most iconic movie cars, having been featured in The Dukes of Hazzard, The Fast and the Furious, and Steve McQueen's Bullitt.
The 1968 Charger had several V8 engine options, ranging from a 230-horsepower two-barrel V8 to a mighty 426 cid HEMI V8 producing 425 horsepower. However, HEMI-powered 1968 Chargers may not be classified as 'affordable' as they are incredibly rare—only 475 out of 96,100 1968 Charger buyers opted for the HEMI engine.
7 1968 Ford Mustang - $17,600
The 1968 Mustang was almost the same car as the 1967 Mustang, except that it was slightly bigger and had federally-mandated side reflectors. It was still offered in two-door fastback, coupe, and convertible body styles and was powered by a variety of six- and eight-cylinder engines.
Most of the engine options for the 1968 Mustang—including the 115-horsepower 200 cid six-cylinder and the 325-horsepower 390 cid V8—had been used in previous Mustang versions. However, Ford introduced a new 302 cid V8 with the 1968 Mustang to meet new federal emission regulations.
6 1968 Ford Torino - $10,200
The Torino is a mid-size range of coupes, hardtops, and sedans Ford produced from 1968. The Torino started as an upscale version of the Ford Fairlane, but due to popular demand, Ford made it a separate model in 1968. By 1970, the tables had turned, and the Fairlane was now a subseries of the Torino.
Most Torinos were ordinary cars, and the most popular models were the two-door hardtops and four-door sedans. However, Ford produced other high-performance Torino versions by equipping them with potent engines—including a 7.0-liter Cobra Jet V8 engine with 335 horsepower.
5 1964 Pontiac Grand Prix - $14,300
The 1963 Pontiac Grand Prix came with a major restyle compared to the 1962 model, resulting in more than twice the number of sales. The 1963 Grand Prix was such an upgrade that most people still consider it the most desirable Grand Prix. Pontiac wanted to ride the 1963 Grand Prix wave until the end, so it didn't make any significant changes for the 1964 model.
The 1964 Grand Prix was still a handsome car and, according to Pontiac, it had a smoother and quieter ride than the '63. The base engine was a 306-horsepower 389 cid V8, but buyers could upgrade to the ultimate 421 cid V8 cranking out a tire-shredding 370 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque.
4 1966 Buick Riviera - $12,800
The second-generation Riviera had major design changes compared to the first-generation. Although it retained the cruciform X-frame, brakes, and powertrain, its new body was longer, wider, and more than 200 pounds heavier. Vent windows were also absent for the first time since the 1930s.
The base engine was a 340-horsepower 425 cid V8, but also on offer was a dealer-installed 425 cid Super Wildcat V8 producing 360 horsepower. Standard 1966 Riviera equipment included power steering, two-speed electric wipers, a three-speed Super Turbine transmission, and power brakes.
3 1969 Chevrolet Camaro - $22,700
The Camaro is one of the most popular muscle cars in history, and the 1969 version is one reason why so many people love it. The '69 was the first Camaro to have the coveted muscular pony car look, thanks to major design changes. Chevrolet made updates to the nose, fenders, and quarter panels to give the '69 Camaro a more aggressive appearance.
However, the mechanical underpinnings of the 1969 Camaro remained the same, and just like in the '67 or '68 versions, buyers could choose between several I6 and V8 engine options.
2 1968 AMC Javelin - $13,700
American Motors Corporation was nearly four years late to the pony car market, but when it finally joined with the 1968 Javelin, it did so in style. The 1968 Javelin had a smooth semi-fastback roofline that set it apart from other pony cars and appealed to a more youthful market. The 1968 Javelin was so good that leading automotive magazines like Road & Track and Motor Trend compared it favorably to its competitors.
On the performance side, AMC provided all manner of engines, ranging from an economical 232 cid six-cylinder with 145 horsepower to a 390 cid V8 pumping out 315 horsepower.
1 1969 Oldsmobile Cutlass - $12,100
Introduced in 1968, the third-generation Cutlass underwent a major body restyle compared to the second generation. Oldsmobile shortened the Cutlass wheelbase, adopted a semi-fastback roofline for the two-door variants, and gave it a "V" front end that looked more aggressive. The 1969 Cutlass largely maintained the '68's design but had a redesigned grille.
Engine offerings were the same as the 1968 Cutlass and ranged from a 250 cid six-cylinder to a 455cid V8. However, a new three-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic 350 transmission was available in the 1969 Cutlass.