A gearhead is someone who is interested in mechanics and machinery, particularly cars, and especially in finding ways to improve their performance or appearance. Fixing up cars has been a popular hobby in the US for decades, although most drivers are happy just to learn a few basic car repairs to save them some money.
Learning how to change the oil or how to fix a flat tire is not enough for a real gearhead, however. They love nothing more than taking on a real automotive project, fixing up an old, used car that has seen better days, but which only needs a little TLC and elbow grease to restore the vehicle to its former glory.
10 First Generation Chevy Pickup
Some vehicles are top of every gearhead's car shopping list thanks to their iconic status in the America's automotive history. Pickup trucks are a quintessentially American vehicle, and while it is unlikely that amateur gearheads would be willing or able to fix up one of the first-ever pickup models from the 1920s.
However, the first-generation Chevrolet AK Series pickup is a stylish and popular project car from the 1940s. Some owners have even transformed their vintage pickups into sleek 21st century hotrods.
9 Pontiac Firebird
Muscle cars, another typical American vehicle, are high-performance coupes often with V8 engines and aggressive styling. They enjoyed their heyday in the 60s and 70s, which is when the production of the Pontiac Firebird started. The iconic vehicle was eventually canceled in 2002, by then, it was only a shadow of the original models.
The earliest Firebird models are most popular with gearheads, and the Trans Am version, which boasted a more powerful engine, is one of the most famous American cars of all time.
8 Mercury Cougar
Mercury was a division of Ford which was closed down in 2011, over 70 years after it was first founded by Edsel Ford, son of the famous Henry Ford. One of Mercury’s best-selling vehicles was the Mercury Cougar pony car.
Production on the Cougar first started in 1967, when it was introduced as an upscale version of the Ford Mustang muscle car, but after selling over 2 million models the vehicle was eventually canceled in 2002.
7 Willys Jeep
One of the most ground-breaking American cars of all time was the Willys Jeep, a rough and ready off-roading vehicle that was developed for the US Army during the Second World War. The Jeep proved to be such a success with GIs that after the war came to an end, the Jeep was soon being made and sold commercially.
Even Japanese companies started to make their own models, based on a Willys Jeep that US troops had left behind in the Philippines. For a gearhead, however, an original Willys Jeep is always going to be better than a modern copy.
6 Chevy Corvette C4
The Chevy Corvette is one of the most iconic American vehicles. The very first Corvette, a two-seater convertible sports car, rolled off the production line in 1953, and while these vintage models look great, price-wise, they're out of reach for most gearheads. Another, more under-appreciated alternative is the C4 Corvette model that saw production between 1984 and 1996.
Seeing as one can pick up a second-hand Chevy Corvette from this era relatively cheaply these days, it allows amateur mechanics to spend all their remaining money fixing them up or even improving upon the original.
5 Pontiac GTO
There has been some debate about the first American muscle car, but one of the contenders is the Pontiac GTO, a powerful muscle car that was first made in 1964 and which was certainly the inspiration for rival manufacturers to come up with their muscle car models in the 60s.
The car was the brainchild of John DeLorean, who would go on to create his own iconic sports car under his name 20 years later. It was DeLorean’s idea to take the GTO name was taken from the iconic Ferrari GTO sports cars of the late 50s.
4 Plymouth Duster
The Plymouth Duster was a sporty version of the Valiant compact car, created in 1969 to cash in the muscle car craze which was started by the Pontiac GTO. The Duster retained the compact size of the Valiant, which gave it a broader appeal, both back in the 70s and among modern gearheads today.
The Duster had a quirky logo; the car was initially going to be named after the Tasmanian Devil cartoon character, and while the naming deal fell through, the logo remained.
3 Chevy El Camino
Combining muscle car styling with the practicalities of a pickup truck, the Chevy El Camino was truly one of the most original American cars ever made. Built on the same platform as a Chevy station wagon, the El Camino was one of the earliest utility trucks, though the cargo bed wasn’t great for drivers who wanted to transport heavy loads!
The iconic look of Chevy El Camino has made it hugely popular with gearheads, including celebrities like Lady Gaga who is often seen driving her modified Camino around LA.
2 Fox Body Ford Mustang
Unlike many 60s muscle cars, which have faded into obscurity after half a century, the Ford Mustang is still going strong. The stylish car has been in production since 1964, and while gearheads would be happy to get their hands on a Mustang from any year, the third generation is generally thought to be one of the most under-appreciated models.
Launched in 1979, this Mustang was built on Ford’s larger Fox platform which gave it a different look while being an improvement on the previous Mustang II in every way possible.
1 Oldsmobile Rocket 88
Some don’t agree that the Pontiac GTO was the first American muscle car; instead, they argue that the Oldsmobile Rocket 88, first made in 1949, was actually the first muscle car built by an American company.
The Oldsmobile 88 looked like a fairly standard full-size car, but under the hood it was powered by an impressive Rocket V8 engine, which technically made it a high-performance coupe, thereby meeting muscle car standards. This is a vehicle that will be top of the list for any gearheads who know their automotive history!