The Best Muscle Cars That’ll Set You Back In Your Seat
The 1960s and 1970s granted us some of the rarest and most iconic muscle cars around today. Each of these powerful machines packs the largest torque-rich V8s the world has ever seen.
Today, some muscle cars can be found for relatively affordable prices, whereas mint-condition models will have you wishing for a winning lotto ticket. Check out the coolest barn and garage finds that will stir up your inner racing fiend…
1969 Ferrari 365 GTB 4: $2.6 Million
Ferrari has long been associated with status, power, and performance. From the moment it appeared on the market in the late 1940s, people have sought its raw power and superior performance as the perfect addition to their garages.
The owner of this 1969 beauty brought it to a Barrett Jackson auction for a “rough estimate” on value. He was more than surprised to discover that his recent property purchase containing the Ferrari netted him another $2.6 million. What a delightful surprise.
1977 Aston Martin: $38,746-$54,880
The Aston Martin V8 Vantage is a high performance version of earlier models. Hailed as Britain’s first “supercar” for its 170 mph top speed, it competed strongly with Ferrari for top sports car speed and status.
This beast has a huge V8 under the hood, and if not handled correctly, it could quickly spiral out of control in the hands of an inexperienced driver. As impressive as its design and speed were in the day, it is not as valuable as other barn finds on the list.
Chevy Race Car Hauler: N/A
Race cars are not built for side streets or highways. If you found yourself experiencing car racing in any form as you were growing up, you likely saw that these high performance vehicles had escorts too and from the tracks via trailers.
This thirty-year gem had to be dusted off, but once it was, it was truly impressive. The Chevy race car hauler came complete with race car, and while neither one was running at the time of the unveiling, it sure made an interesting conversation piece at the owner’s next party.
1958 Berkeley Racer: $7750
Berkeley was Britain’s gold caravan maker in the 50s. The collaboration between Lawrie Bond and Charles Panter caused a revolution in the automobile industry with its innovative style and modern material incorporation.
This zippy little 1958 racer has several impressive attributes. Only 4000 were made, and engine sizes for each one were varied. Enthusiasts appreciate an 18-50 bhp motor, and while it wasn’t built for speed, it looks beautiful sailing down the road.
1969 Jaguar E-Type Series 2: $39,000-$200,000
Jaguar’s Series 2 introduced the first outward revisions of the iconic sports car since its market introduction in 1961. Along with more power and cosmetic changes, the rear features larger lights below its bumper.
This great garage find was first mistaken for a Porsche 928. Upon further inspection, it was determined that this 1969 Jaguar E Type still had some get-up-and-go. When owners dusted it off and gave it a crank, they were pleasantly surprised to discover that it was worth a few pennies.
1971 Buick Estate Station Wagon: $15,000
Buick Estate is the name proudly associated with the flagship full-size station wagons produced by Buick from 1940-1996. This fifty year span produced all kinds of enhancement packages, colors, and wood grains, appealing to the inner Clark Griswold in all of us.
This classic Buick “boat” was pulled from a garage and compared to a 2018 Chevy Suburban, besting it by over three inches in length. Still considered a classic in many respects, it strikes fear in the hearts of every teen driver on the brink of receiving a driver’s license.
1954 Ford Sunliner: $11,000-$37,400
Ford’s reputation for quality and craftsmanship were long established with the solid design of the 50s Sunliner. Deemed worthy to double as a law enforcement vehicle, this classic could produce explosive power and a smooth ride at the same time.
Power-packed with a 239 Y block V, the Sunliner found here is in great shape, reportedly aging very well. A few tweaks here and there on the interior and some new wires resulted in an iconic vehicle that will stay in the family for years.
1957 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible: $25,000-$35,000
The Chevy Corvette is the first generation of the sports car first produced by Chevrolet. Unveiled in 1953, this cute yet power-packed roadster tore up the road through its last production year, 1962.
This forty year slumber has apparently stopped time. Mike Yager can be credited with the find in 2010, with its value being assessed and estimated between $25,000-$35,000. The car has since been featured in several car enthusiast magazines.
1972 Datsun 240 Z: $11,000-$29,500
The Datsun 1972 240Z was initially introduced to the United States market by Yutaka Katayama, president of Nissan Motors. This rare find has made the list of “Top Sports Cars Of The 1970s”.
This particular Datsun bit the dust 25 years ago after a catastrophic head gasket failure. She sat dormant for years, but was recently sold to a new owner who took on a complete interior and exterior restoration valued at nearly $30,000.
Argo: $1618
This beauty/beast is equal parts impressive and hideous, with its image conjuring up whispers of World War II. We wonder what kind of gas mileage this hunk of metal would get when cruising down the road at today’s speeds.
Innovator Maxim Melnichenko built this ATV at a Soviet tractor plant in the 1960s. His experience building tanks for the military came in handy as he crafted his own personal vehicle for hunting and fishing.
Buick Hearse: N/A
As long as automobiles have been manufactured, there have been makers in the market to create the perfect hearse. A hearse is a large vehicle designed to carry the deceased encased in coffins, hence the need for large cargo space.
Back when there was a desire to have onlookers view the casket holding area, this vehicle was quite popular. Now that the practice of staring at the dead has been deemed “creepy”, it hasn’t found its “repurpose” in life.
Custom 1942 Cadillac Fleetwood Series 50 Special: N/A
Uncovering a Cadillac is one thing, finding a truly unique customized car in a garage that’s been forgotten for decades is something truly special. Cadillac is a premium brand of automobile that needs to be celebrated, no matter what form it may take.
This vintage 1942 Cadillac Fleetwood Series 60 Special comes to us straight from Argentina. No matter how it is used from this point on, one can’t argue that the hand-carved wood body is one of the most unique things we’ve ever seen.
1974 Ferrari Dino 246 GTS: $258,500-$599,895
The Ferrari Dino 246 was the first automobile that yielded Ferrari high numbers. Heralded for its intuitive driving design and breathtaking presentation, this car placed number six on the list of Top Sports Cars of the 1970s.
As weird as it may seem, this car was wrapped into the last will and testament of a Texas oilman’s widow. She had the car shipped to San Antonio for burial next to their burial plot. We hope that the excavation went smoothly as they uncovered the car only.
1936 Mercedes-Benz 540K Special Roadster: $9,680,000
Mercedes-Benz mastered the 540K Special Roadster from 1936-1940. First revealed at the Paris Motor Show, this car impressed with style and speed, appealing to German government officials as a preferred transport car.
Pre-war German engineering created this rare yet classic Benz. Stretching nearly 17 feet long and sporting a 180 horsepower engine, this “mint condition” car could net up to $15,000,000 at auction or via a collector’s network.
Argo: N/A
While it isn’t an everyday occurrence to open a barn or garage and see an Argo sitting there, this reveal is proof positive that the unique, eclectic car had a loyal following. What would you do with all this extra space?
Looking more like a German tanker than an automobile, this gem was discovered in almost pristine condition. With eight wheels, some serious weight, and an extremely durable shell, this nineteen foot wonder is better parked than on the road.
Skipin Skool: N/A
Have you ever wondered what ends up happening to school buses that are no longer used to transport children? Maybe there’s a bright yellow graveyard where these grand vehicles sit, waiting to be transformed into a camper or RV.
Jeff Roland took advantage of a school bus sale, transforming this iconic 1929 school bus into his “Skipin Skool” vehicle. After retiring from his career in Mustang restoration, he found the treasure sitting on his lot. He has since transformed it into a lovely showpiece.
1970 Dodge Daytona Superbird Pro Mod: $250,000-$300,000
At first glance, the 1970 Dodge Daytona Superbird Pro Modified seems like too much car for anyone to drive. Its original purpose was to fly around the speedways of the stock car circuits, but few made it into the limelight.
When Craig Sullivan revealed this 70s beauty at the 2016 race season at Performance Racing Industry, it was an instant hit. What looks like a corroded variant of Richard Petty’s car doesn’t disappoint in performance or design.
Pontiac GTO Judge: $65,000-$185,000
The first generation of the GTO can be credited as popularizing the muscle car in the early 60s. The Pontiac GTO is considered by many to have started the trend with several domestic automakers offering a variety of competing models.
This Pontiac GTO Judge was a worthy contender, to be sure. With 400 horsepower under the hood and manual air intake, all that’s needed is a worthy and experienced driver to slide behind the wheel and enjoy.
1960 Jaguar XK150: $127,550
The XK150 is one of the crowning achievements of the Jaguar empire. Initially available in fixed head and drophead coupe versions, this two-seater was the epitome of luxury, class, and power all rolled into one.
Someone purchased this busted up version for $127,550 in 2021. While we may take a look at the heap and fail to see the potential, we hope the new owner has the digs to properly restore it. It would then be worth nearly three times as the original purchase price.
Jaguar XJ220: $500,000
A rumor is circulating by Mick Bramley that claims that someone found this Jaguar XJ220 in the Qatari desert. It’s clear that wherever it originated from, years of wear, tear, and neglect have taken their toll on the car.
Car enthusiasts the world over clamor for this particular make and model. While we don’t know where this car’s final resting place will be, we sincerely hope that someone takes the time to restore it to its full and former glory.
1922 Rolls Royce Goshawk Prototype: $33,344
During the First World War, Rolls Royce car production had been restricted to military vehicles such as staff cars, armored cars, and medical vehicles. The Goshawk served as a transport vehicle for military staff and foreign dignitaries across Europe.
Mechanics named this beast “Cinderella” after finding it in a Welsh barn under broken farm equipment. While the owner had no idea of its historical significance, an eventual valuation netted $33,344 in dilapidated condition. Restored, it would be worth six times its purchase price.
Lamborghini Miura: $483,210
The Lamborghini Miura is a sports car produced by Italian automaker Lamborghini. This was the first super “muscle” car with a rear engine layout, since becoming the gold standard for many high performance sports and supercars.
This beauty was given to pop star Stamatis Kokotas by Aristotle Onassis as a gift. After the engine caved in the early 70s, Kokotas lost interest in repairing and restoring it. He left it inside a Hilton parking garage, where it slept for nearly 30 years before being resurrected.
1968 Ford Mustang GT: $3,400,000
First generation Mustangs are highly sought after vehicles. Its style and performance proved to be highly popular, inspiring a host of competing vehicles from various automobile manufacturers across the globe.
According to CNN, this particular Mustang is from the Steve McQueen movie Bullitt (1968). This car was discovered in a backyard in Los Cabos, Mexico, and through tracing its origins, it was verified as connected to the film. Hugo Sanchez and Ralph Garcia are currently restoring it to filmworthy status once more.
1956 Ford Thunderbird: $15,000
Called “a personal car of distinction” by Ford, this car is built upon American values of passion, performance, and personal style. The Ford Thunderbird is an iconic classic that deserves a place in muscle car history.
This lovely edition was owned by a Ford executive who sold it off in 1965. It remained buried until 1971, when it was unearthed and found to be largely original except for two missing hubcaps. It yielded $15,000 on a recent Ebay auction.
Ferrari Enzo: $1,100,000
The Ferrari Enzo was developed in 2002 using Formula One technology, giving drivers the feel and ambience associated with high performance racing cars. An F140 B V12 under the hood is a first of its kind, with disclaimers that come with running this kind of power.
Police impounded this treasure in Dubai in 2012. It was believed to have belonged to a British owner who abandoned it in a parking lot. It’s thought that the car was either stolen for a joy ride or purchased with fraudulent funds.
Pontiac Firebird: $650,000
Pontiac’s Firebird is an American classic built and produced by Pontiac from 1967-2002. Designed first as a competitor to the Ford Mustang, the first generation’s trademark Coke bottle style is highly sought after by car collectors.
Richard Rawlings of Fast N’Loud fame found a pair of Firebirds in 2014 after unearthing them in an obscure Connecticut barn. It was discovered that the pair were hand built by John DeLorean and his design team, worth $650,000 when fully restored.
1972 Aston Marton: $69,000
Aston Marton’s claim to fame is that these muscle cars are entirely hand-built, with each care requiring more than 1200 hours of manual labor to finish. It became the company’s mainstream car for nearly two decades after its release.
This hand-built beauty remained untouched in a barn for nearly 30 years. Upon tracing its origin, it was found that the original owner bought it from a dealer in Thames Ditton, Surrey in 1975. The car recently sold for $69,000 at a London auction.
Shelby Daytona: $4,000,000
The Shelby Daytona Coupe is one of the highest-priced collectible muscle cars on the road today. Originally engineered for auto racing, the first six made it to the track before the car was redesigned with the average driver in mind.
The original model Shelby Daytona, due to its extremely limited release, has become something of an elusive dream for car enthusiasts. Someone unearthed this Daytona in a private storage unit belonging to Donna O’Hara, netting $4,000,000 in the process.
1966 Ferrari 275 GTB: $2,300,000
The Ferrari 275 is a V12-powered grand touring automobile designed as a sporty, two-seater coupe. Motor Trend Classic has named the 275 GTB Coupe as number three in their list of “Ten Greatest Ferraris Of All Time”.
Barn Find Hunter host Tom Cotter uncovered this gem that had been sitting dormant for decades. At the time of discovery, the odometer boasted a modest 13,500 miles. Along with superior mileage, this car contained all of its original parts.
1966 Ford Mustang Shelby GT: $159,500
The Shelby Mustang is a high-octane variation of the Ford Mustang built from 1965-1967. While production went dormant for a number of years, the model was revived in 2005 as a tribute to the golden muscle car era of the 60s and 70s.
This 1966 version of the Shelby GT 350 was used as a dealer demonstration car. After netting about 55,000 miles, the Shelby was parked in a garage for 40 years. After discovery, it went up for auction in 2016, selling for almost $160,000.
1925 Bugatti Brescia: $934,000
Bugatti Brescia was a comeback car for the Bugatti enterprise, brought back after World War I to bring in some much-needed cash. Designed as a Gran Prix car, this model competed and won many races, gaining a reputation as “unbeatable”.
The 1925 Bugatti Brescia seen here was discovered in a barn in France. The owner stored it there in 1975, where it was untouched until recently. One of only twelve of its type, the Bugatti yielded an impressive $934,000 at the Arcurial Motorcars Auction House.
1964 Jaguar E-Type: $58,752
The Jaguar E-Type set the standard for sports cars between 1964 and 1974. Jaguar’s combination of beauty, high performance, and value pricing helped to establish the model as a necessity for car enthusiasts around the world.
The owner of this particular model purchased it for his wife in 1970. Once they had their first child, they parked it in their garage in Cheshire, North West England. While the owner never parted with it, it was nearly 40 years later that they decided to sell.
Ferrari F40: $450,000
The Ferrari F40 is a rear-wheel drive sports car engineered by Nicola Materazzi and Pininfarina. Built from 1987-1992, the model was designed to commemorate Ferrari’s 40th anniversary and bring attention to the brand once more.
Ferrari’s twin-turbo V8 has top speeds of over 200 mph, which could quickly become a disaster if placed in the wrong hands. This model originally belonged to Uday Hussein, Sadam’s son, who abandoned the vehicle shortly after the U.S. invasion of Iraq.
Mercedes-Benz 540K Special Roadster: $12,845,000
German firm Mercedes-Benz introduced the Roadster model in 1936, and it quickly gained popularity among the upper echelon across Europe and beyond. First introduced at the Paris Motor Show, the car features two and four seat options, retailing for $28,000.
My, how things have changed. This car, originally owned by a German baroness, was shipped from Germany to New York in 1949 when the family moved from war-torn Europe. Found lying in a garage in 1989, it yielded nearly $12,845,000 at an auction.
1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider: $19,554,000
The Ferrari 488 Spider boasts an impressive 0-62 mph in only 3 seconds, guaranteeing that it will throw you back in your seat if you choose to open wide up. A stylish body, top-notch mechanical performance, and superior Italian craftsmanship make it a coveted piece for any car enthusiast.
The 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider featured here was a joyful and unexpected find at a Baillon, France property in 2015. Sitting virtually untouched for over fifty years, the car was unearthed and sold at a Paris auction for a whopping $19,554,000.
1967 Ford GT40: $7,000,000
The iconic Ford GT40 is one of the highest performing endurance racing cars commissioned by Ford Motor Company. A natural evolution of the Grand Touring project, this car arose out of a need to compete with European sports cars like Ferrari and Mercedes-Benz.
This million dollar find was resurrected from a garage, where it was buried in junk. Sitting idle since the 70s, the original owner tried to restore it but later opted out after an injury. Collector Thomas Shaughnessy eventually got his hands on it and is in the process of restoration.
Mercedes-Benz Von Krieger: $540,000
Mercedes-Benz proudly claims the Von Krieger as one of its most prestigious cars to date. This ultra rare roadster has not only remarkable lineage, but a back story worthy of the Hollywood silver screen as we behold every pristine detail.
An aristocratic Prussian family purchased this car in 1936. Baroness Von Krieger loved to drive it so much that it was eventually shipped to the United States. Once she returned to Switzerland, she left her Mercedes in Greenwich Connecticut to be found by a very lucky property owner.
Rolls-Royce Phantom: $450,000
Rolls Royce has a reputation for producing luxury cars that are difficult to match in terms of style, comfort, and performance. The Phantom, originally unveiled in July 2017, took the auto collector world by storm with its unique style and promise of power.
This rare find was sold via eBay motors under the false label, “Centurion”. Whoever bid and won this auction has more ecommerce confidence than we do, for it would take more than a clever description to inspire us to drop half a million online.
Mercedes-Benz 300 SL: N/A
The Mercedes-Benz 300 SL was first based on the company’s 1952 W194 racer. Capable of reaching top speeds of 163 mph, it was branded “sports car racing champion and the fastest production car of its time”.
Photographer Piotr Degler was creating a 2015 calendar called “Carros de Cuba”, and he came across this gem under a banana tree. At the time, it was in complete disarray, so it’s difficult to tell what it may have yielded if fully restored.