As the automotive industry takes further steps towards electrification, there is still a consistent interest among gearheads for everything that is gas-powered. Muscle cars still play a dominant role in the market. Over almost 50 years, classic muscle cars are still the protagonist of a stable market trend.Among the most blazoned muscle cars produced during the Golden Era — mid-sixties through mid-seventies — there are some peculiar underdogs that deserve special attention. In fact, according to the increasing valuation they have had over the last 3 years, we can say that these classic muscle cars are highly likely to increase in value soon. We've listed them with the current average price tags for classic cars in good condition.
8 1966 Pontiac Bonneville - $15,600
First up we have the Pontiac Bonneville, which was a really cool car in its 1966 edition. The nose was long and lifted from the ground, and its size was similar to that of the Ford Galaxie. This is a proper land yacht, with chrome profiles along the sides, and that good-looking, simple, yet marked design muscle car buyers were looking for in 1966.
According to Hagerty valuations, by the end of 2018 and the beginning of 2019, the valuation of the car slightly increased, and from that moment on, a good condition Pontiac Bonneville is rated at $15,600. Considering the increasing interest in cars in this category, and also the capability of the car — which packs a 393 cu in V8 with a 333 hp power outlet — we can definitely say that buying this car at this very moment could be a good investment... before people realize how cool it is.
7 1970 Buick GS 455 Convertible - $37,000
By the end of the '60s, people witnessed the arrival of pony cars in the US market. They came with shorter bodies, were lighter, and featured the same engines as America's favorite muscle cars. The result was a fleet of great performance cars, with lot's of appeal.
The Buick GS packed a 455 cu in V8. The power started at 350 hp, making it a decent muscle car. Over the last 3 years, a good condition GS 455 Convertible increased its average valuation by some $8,000. Its price tag is currently stuck at 37 grand, but we believe that it will be more expensive in a few years.
6 1965 Pontiac Tempest Convertible 326 - $16,200
Pontiac is generally acknowledged for making the first real muscle car, the GTO. In reality, at Pontiac, they strongly believed in the "muscle car' philosophy" and they didn't actually limit their creativity to the GTO only. Some other gorgeous units in their mid-sixties fleet presented those characteristics that make a car eligible to enter the ambitious muscle car category.
The 1965 Pontiac Tempest was one of them. Anticipating the pony cars, this mid-sized body car was packing a 326 cu in engine. The small-block could make up to 250 hp, which was fun enough for an everyday car. Since the beginning of the year, the Tempest's valuation has undergone a slight increase, which we believe is only the beginning.
5 1964 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu SS - $43,500
The Chevelle Malibu SS was Chevrolet's entry model into the market for powerful mid-size cars. We know that a few years later, the Chevelle became a real star: with that first move, Chevrolet nailed it. The first generation Malibu was even a good-looking car: this one presents factory colors Goldwood Yellow with black interior, and every detail looks stock.
This Chevy Malibu also presents its period-correct 327 cu in V8, which puts out 300 hp. Also, this car has seen a strong increase in valuation since the beginning of the year. The steep increase leaves no doubt about the promising future of the first generation Malibu's price tag.
4 1972 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454 - $76,200
The Chevelle was a real king among the muscle cars available at that time. The model was highly successful and dressed in many different trims and versions. Since most of the elaborated versions became the best-performing ones, and Americans would rather get one of these, the "standard" SS was kind of tossed aside.
This is the reason why its price isn't as expensive as most of the YENKOs are. Until the beginning of 2021, the car was priced around 60 grand. Someone realized it was a good deal, and possibly talked too much about their latest bargain. Since then, the Chevy Chevelle SS's price has been skyrocketing.
3 1971 Dodge Dart Swinger - $12,700
The second-generation Dodge Dart came in with a wider engine bay, which allowed larger V8s to be installed in the car. That was a much-appreciated move, and this is a reason why the Dart sales kept increasing. It was cheap, good-looking, and rumbling, what more could a gearhead want?
However, it didn't have the same power as most of the higher-end muscle cars. In one of its best versions, the Dodge Dart came with a 318 engine, which produced up to 235 hp. 3 years ago, you could get a good Dart for roughly $7,500. As we can see from its evaluation curve, its price tag is destined to double in a short time.
2 1970 Chrysler 300 Hurst - $26,700
The 1970 Chrysler Hurst introduced itself as an outstanding muscle car. Its details clearly communicated how different this car wanted to be, first of all, in terms of aesthetics. The car featured a large chrome front grille that recalls that of the 1968 Charger, but enriched by golden profiles. Also, along the sides, the two-tone paint made it stand out from the average muscle car.
The car's valuation hasn't changed for years. The return of the classic muscle cars, and the several details of this desirable luxury unit, could make its price skyrocket in a few years.
1 1972 Ford Gran Torino Sport 351 Cobra-Jet - $10,700
After producing the standard "Torino", Ford decided to introduce in the market a better-performing version, and they called it Gran Torino. Although it didn't hit the target as expected, it seems that the sales figure of the car has been re-evaluated after the Clint Eastwood movie with the same name.
The best performing version of the Gran Torino presented a 351 Cobra Jet engine with 250 hp. The Gran Torino was built to respect the strict emission regulations and the gasoline crisis that hit the US automotive sector in the early '70s. 3 years ago, the car cost less than $9,000, but prices are slowly but surely on the rise now.