Still, having a good muscle car does not have to be a burden. Of course, you have to search a bit more and be prepared for a few compromises. What are we talking about? The second-hand market offers high-performance classic cars at a fraction of their regular price.
We have looked around and found five cheap, yet high-quality muscle cars, which can serve you as a starting point. Want to see them?
Which classic muscle car should I buy?
The classic market offers plenty of good deals on muscles, but you have to be strategic about it. The most popular models will always be expensive. Where does that leave you? You have to think outside the box and consider some lesser known, but still great rides. Let’s start!
Mercury Marauder
This car was produced at the Mercury Ford Motor Company division in two major generation models. The first one came out in 1963 and the second in 1969, with its revival production in 2002-2004.
The first-generation was a full-body car with a strong engine. Many still consider it Mercury’s highest performance model. The car came as a 2-door or 4-door hardtop.
The 1965 Marauder took a different turn. Its focus tended toward luxury and classic, and not so much on the performance. Yet, in addition to the Ford touch, the Mercury line insisted in its variety. With an engine range from 390cu to 427cu, it came in three different models: Park Lane, Montclair, and Monterey.
Replaced by S-55 in 1966, Mercury Marauder returned in 1969 as a personal luxury car. The model was also revived in 2003. And a year earlier, Ford introduced a new version of Marauder as a concept car at the Chicago Auto Show, offering a blend between the classic, the sporty, and the futuristic.
For our purposes, we recommend the first generation Mercury Marauder as the least expensive one. Yet, it all depends on your budget!
1965 Ford Mustang
Mustang ranks amongst the most popular Ford car lines, with more than a million cars sold in 1965-1966. Why? Becaues it offers variety, flexibility, and low price. Case in point: The ’65 Ford Mustang has three different bodies, two different engines, and four different transmission types.
On top of that, these features could be easily customized. For example, you could pick the Challenger, a convertible with 289 cubic inches V-8 engine and a 3-speed manual transmission.
Because of its popularity, today you can dig up a Mustang at a price below $10,000 USD. Such a unit may need some restoration, but Mustang’s quality and flexibility are totally worth the investment. By the way this model is also a famous movie car, did you know? Read more about that in our article on famous movie cars you can actually afford!
1995 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 Coupe
This muscle car was manufactured by Chevrolet in the USA and assembled in Canada. It is a rear-wheel-drive with a 3-door coupe body type and a manual 6-speed gearbox.
You can find a Camaro at a modest price of barely $9,000. However, do not think low price means poor performance. It has a gasoline engine that can reach a maximum speed of 158 mph. Its acceleration is also good, reaching 0-60 mph in 6 seconds and up to 100 mph in 14.8 seconds.
Camaro became a favorite sports car for many. It also gets surprisingly good mileage for a performance car. This exact model is an acquired taste, but if it suits you, it makes an awesome muscle buy!
1976 Dodge Dart Sport 360
The dart came in a 2-door coupe body type, with manual 3-speed gear transmission, and could reach a maximum speed of 96 mph.
Back in the ’70s, the model gained a lot of popularity. In the April 1976 issue, Car & Driver magazine reviewed the Dart Sport 360, comparing it to the Chevrolet Corvette and Pontiac Trans Am.
Today, you can find this model in the secondary market for a price between $5,000 and $8,000, depending on its condition. It is quite attractive for car collectors or for those who are into car restoration.
1965-1970 Pontiac Catalina
Pontiac Catalina was one of the most popular muscle cars in the US during the 1960s. The public interest skyrocketed when Pontiac released its mid-mid-size car model type, the GTO. The name was also quite meaningful: the Gran Turismo Omologato. It gave it an Italian flavor, indicating that this type of car was both a sports and street car.
Today, this type of car is valued at a premium, yet affordable average price. It sells at around $25,000, reflecting its still high reputation and a powerful 389 V8 engine. Plus it has a reputation as “a cool car”, so many young people consider it a great classic option to buy.
How to ship a classic muscle car?
Now that you know your options, you may already be looking at a few listings. Do you know how you can get the best price? By looking for deals all over the US. Naturally, you’d have to get the car shipped to you, but that is where we come in.
We recommend you find a shipping company that has adequate experience and can offer you personalized shipping advice. Here at Corsia Logistics we have shipped dozens of classic cars, including muscles. We understand that these cars are unique, and our specialized staff makes sure to offer you not only the appropriate type of carrier but also a customized price.
If you have already chosen your favorite muscle car, do not hesitate to reach out for more information on shipping. Or read our article on tips for shipping a classic car you bought online!
