The most beloved and badass of all American cars, muscle cars are some of the coolest performance machines out there. With brutally aggressive looks, and monstrous V8 power, and simple construction unrestrained by any normal sensibilities, muscle cars are the wildest straight-line performers the car industry has ever spawned, with legends like the Ford Mustang and Dodge Challenger remaining popular machines to this day.
Furthermore, when thinking of awesome classic muscle, the '60s are the decade that immediately comes to mind, and that's for good reason too, as this was the "Golden Age" of muscle with insanely powerful monsters running wild. Because of this, the coolest classic muscle from the '60s tends to go for quite a bit of money, and prices are only rising. That being said, it's not too late to get yourself a piece of '60s muscle for an affordable price, with some of the most produced, or most ignored models still being able to be found for around $15,000 - and these eight are some of the coolest you can get at that price.
8 Ford Mustang
When it comes to classic muscle, few if any cars are as cool and iconic as the original Mustang. A car that took America by storm, the Mustang was a massive success that sold by the millions, leaving a large pool of them still around today.
Created halfway through 1964 as a sporty variant of the Falcon, the Mustang was an immediate hit, capturing the youthful spirit of the time perfectly. Selling over 550,000 in 1965 alone, the Mustang remains as popular as ever, with looks that have aged as well, if not better than any other '60s American classic—especially in fastback form. Available with up to a 289 cu-in HiPo V8 making 271 hp, the small and light Mustang was an affordable thrill ride that created the pony car class and is still going strong today. While the fastback version (pictured above) typically sells for much higher, a Mustang from its first couple years isn't hard to find selling for around $15,000 in decent shape.
7 Plymouth Barracuda (1st Generation)
A similar origin story to the Mustang, the Plymouth Barracuda was a sportier version of an affordable but rather boring compact within their lineup. While its later forms stand out as legendarily cool, an early Barracuda is still a great little muscle car.
Born just two weeks before the Mustang, the Barracuda was released in 1964 as a revamped, sporty version of Plymouth's Valiant compact commuter. Initially just using Chrysler's Slant Six, the Barracuda gained V8 options in '65, and only got better from there. One thing to note, the Barracuda and 'Cuda is technically not the same, with 'Cuda referring to the top-of-the-line performance trim versions - often selling for way over $15,000. Still a uniquely cool and fun pony car, a decent condition 1st gen Barracuda can be yours for around $15,000.
6 AMC Javelin
From the pony car class of smaller muscle cars, the AMC Javelin was the underdog brand's competitor to icons like the Mustang. While not as legendary, the Javelin remains a sweet little V8 beast that can be found for relatively cheap compared to its contemporaries.
Introduced in 1968, the Javelin burst onto the scene with traditional muscle car body lines and an aggressive front end that meant business. Selling 55,000 Javelins that year, 1968 would be the record high in sales for the car. Offered with a series of engines up to a 390 V8 with 325 hp, the Javelin could perform as good as it looked too, though was overhauled into a brand new European-inspired design starting in 1970. Still, as the dark horse of the pony car scene it never quite caught on as the Mustang or Camaro did, and while it's fairly rare to see, decent Javelins can be occasionally found selling for around $15,000.
5 AMC Rebel Machine
While the Javelin is an AMC icon, the Rebel is arguably even more iconic, especially in red, white, and blue "Machine" form. A name rooted with the earlier Rambler line of cars, this beast was brought back in full aggressive force for the late '60s.
To be clear, the car you see pictured here is the special Rebel "Machine", the coolest form of the Rebel, but not one you can find at this price point. Regardless, the Rebel name was introduced in 1957 as a Rambler model, hopping a commuter sedan up with V8 power, turning it into one of the fastest sedans on sale at the time. Returning in '67, and lasting until '71, the Rebel was now attached to a mid-size car. Offered in several body styles, the Rebel also used engines like a 390 cu-in V8 spitting out 340 hp. Like the rest of this list, it will need some work done, but a classic Rebel can be yours for around $15,000.
4 Ford Thunderbird (4th Generation)
One of Ford's most luxurious and powerful cars of the '50s and '60s, the Thunderbird set the formula for a sporty and luxurious V8 beast that would see great popularity in coming decades. Seeing 11 generations, some from the '60s can be had for surprisingly low prices.
Debuting on sale for 1955 hot on the tail of the original Corvette, the Thunderbird was arguably the first personal luxury coupe, with a smaller sporty body compared to the typical luxury offerings, and a 215 hp V8 under the hood for the first years. Evolving through to the '60s, the 4th gen came out in 1964 with a gorgeously aggressive body, and engines up to a 345 hp 428 cu-in big-block V8. Often ignored in favor of prior generations, the still awesome 4th gen Thunderbird can be had for around $15,000 in good shape.
3 Pontiac Grand Prix (2nd Generation)
A nameplate dragged as far down as possible, the Grand Prix's final generations were frankly terrible plastic-filled commuters, but the early ones stood out as fantastic blends of big V8 power, and great luxury.
Introduced in 1962, the Grand Prix was re-designed in 1969 for its 2nd generation, breaking from the previous elegant styling, and combining tougher muscle car looks into the mix. Those muscular looks weren't just for show either, as the 2nd gen Grand Prix was powered by a choice of big V8s up to a 428 cu-in-unit pumping out 390 hp in '69. A similar mix of muscle car and luxury cruiser on the inside, the 2nd gen Grand Prix's styling may not be to everyone's taste, but at under $15,000 for a decent running and driving example offers a great deal for a classic muscle car.
2 Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser
With wagons gaining popularity today, the Olds Vista Cruiser is a perfect classic muscle car. Essentially a muscle wagon with panoramic views for your passengers, this beast is among the most badass classic station wagons out there
Introduced in 1964 as part of the F-85 Cutlass lineup, the Vista Cruiser took the Cutlass and transformed it into a station wagon. With a wheelbase extended several inches, the Vista Cruiser got its "Vista" name from its unique roof comprised of several windows and raised up in height – offering a great view from the interior. Even cooler though, being based on the Cutlass, the Vista Cruiser received several great V8s as well, including up to the 455 cu-in Rocket V8. A unique muscle wagon, late '60s Vista Cruisers occasionally pop up for around $15,000 with some patience, and in need of some work.
1 Oldsmobile Toronado
An under-appreciated beast from an extinct class of car, the Toronado, similar to the previous Pontiac Grand Prix was a personal luxury car, built with a focus on both great luxury, and awesome V8 muscle to boot.
Introduced in 1966, the Toronado replaced the Starfire as Oldsmobile's stylish personal luxury coupe, blending muscle and comfort in one distinct package. Getting its power from an Olds 425 cu-in V8, the Toronado made 385 hp and was the first FWD American car since the 1930s. The nameplate lasted until the '90s, but generations following the first became less spectacular and were choked down significantly by new regulations, dying in the '90s as an unremarkable machine. Shockingly cheap for how innovative and luxurious of a muscle car it really is, a decent '66-'70 Toronado can be found for around $15,000.