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These Classic Cars Will Make You Want To Remortgage Your House

Cameron Eittreim September 1, 2022

The classic car market has continued to explode in popularity and value over the past decade. What used to be an affordable project car will now cost much more. Why are classic cars becoming so pricey? First, more people who grew up wanting these cars now have the disposable income to purchase one. So the car that you might have wanted as a kid is going to set you back a pretty penny, and the car that you’ve held onto since high school might be your future retirement fund.

Collecting classic cars is a rewarding hobby and driving them is just as fun. Nothing beats the feeling of tearing down the open road in a powerful muscle car, especially if it’s a car that you built yourself. While the thought of purchasing a muscle car can be quite daunting, there are a few that are priced out of this world. We looked at classic cars that will make you want to remortgage your house. While they are great rides, the prices on these muscle cars are insane. Check them out here.

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1965 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu SS Convertible – $74,000.00

The Malibu was the quintessential mid-range muscle car in the ’60s and ’70s. The Malibu had a powerful V8 engine and a lightweight design that was attractive to enthusiasts. The V8 engine was one of the best that GM had put into a muscle car at the time. The Malibu boasted some of the best 0-60 times in the automotive industry. It was undoubtedly one of the most popular car models with young affluent consumers at the time (via Motor Trend).

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A 1965 Chevelle Malibu SS Convertible fetched a pretty penny at the Barrett Jackson auction. The minimum price of these muscle cars will only rise as time goes on. When it comes to the quintessential Chevy muscle car from the 1960s, the Malibu SS was it. There were quite a few special editions of the Malibu SS built, but the 1965 Chevelle Malibu SS Convertible is by far one of the most desirable options from this era.

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2006 Dodge Viper Voi9 – $148,500

The original Dodge Viper changed the automotive industry. It was the first domestic supercar since the Ford GT40 and like the GT40, it was extremely fast. By 2006, the Viper was an even better car with a modern exterior and engine. The Voi9 was a rare variant of the car, which was only produced in a series of 100 cars. The limited production run has made the Voi9 one of the rarest Vipers drivers can potentially get (via Motor Trend).

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The Viper Voi9 was everything Mopar enthusiasts had hoped for. It was the Hellcat long before the Hellcat was ever a vision at Dodge. The performance of the Viper Voi9 broke records. There are very few cars from the 2006 model year that tangoed with the Viper Voi9. The limited run of 100 cars made the Voi9 a rarity in the automotive world.

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1999 Shelby Series 1 Roadster – $189,750

The 1999 Shelby Series 1 Roadster was one of the rarest sports cars ever built. It was a limited-run vehicle built by the legendary Carroll Shelby. If the car looked familiar, it was because it shared a lot of its underpinnings with the Mustang. The engineering that went into the Series 1 Roadster was some of the best that’s ever come out of Shelby Automotive. The Series 1 immediately broke speed records and amassed a loyal following in the auto community (via Motor Trend).

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Perhaps the most surprising feature of the Shelby Series 1 was the use of Oldsmobile’s 4.0 L L47 Aurora V8 DOHC engine. It’s one of the few cars ever built that utilized GM and Ford parts in the same vehicle. There were only 249 1999 Shelby Series 1 Roadsters built. That was a conservative production number considering the rarity of the car.

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1967 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible – $196,000

The 1967 Corvette was the pinnacle of sports cars in the 1960s. It design was simultaneously modern and beautiful and appealed to a new generation. The 1967 Corvette Convertible was the car drivers wanted to take out on the open road. The convertible top exposed a beautiful interior, and under the hood was just as impressive. The 1967 Corvette did everything right and enthusiasts found the styling to be right in line with the period (via Motor Trend).

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The 1967 Convertible Model always impressed enthusiasts, with great styling and excellent performance. Values for the 1967 Corvette will continue to rise, as it is one of the most expensive classics. There are countless enthusiast groups and national meets connected to the 1967 Corvette. It’s a classic in every sense of the word, which is why the Corvette line has stayed relevant in the sports car world and the automotive industry in general.

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1968 Shelby GT500KR Convertible – $200,000

The Shelby GT500KR was a fiberglass marvel built by the legendary Carroll Shelby. There is no denying Shelby had a unique connection to the Mustang. The 1968 Shelby GT500KR Convertible had a fiberglass hood, fenders, and grill. The roll bar in the back was integral to the design and performance of the car. The GT500KR Convertible added to the capability and performance of the standard Mustang convertible in a way enthusiasts could enjoy (via Motor Trend).

Photo Credit: Barrett Jackson

The 1968 Shelby GT500KR Convertible was an extremely rare car, and there were very few put into production. But the performance made the car a legend in the Mustang community. There were quite a few high-performance Mustangs that came out during this era, but the 1968 Shelby GT500KR Convertible takes the cake.

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1970 Plymouth Cuda – $205,000

The 1970 Plymouth Cuda should not be underestimated, it was one of the most influential muscle cars. Quality-wise, Chrysler couldn’t build a good car around this time, but in the muscle car department, the company did alright. The 383 CI V-8 engine was one of the best Mopar offered at the time. The Cuda’s performance was legendary and cemented the car in the performance world. The Plymouth Barracuda has maintained dominance in the classic car market (via Motor Trend).

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The main thing that was important about the Cuda besides the engine was the 0-60 times. It boasted some of the best times of the era in off-the-line performance. You won’t find one of these for a cheap price. The Cuda is one of the most desirable muscle cars in the world. With stellar performance and styling, it was an integral part of the muscle car era.

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1963 Chevrolet Corvette Split Window Coupe – $214,000

The Corvette Split Window Coupe was the sports car that took beauty and brawn to the next level. The sheer beauty of the design should not be underestimated, but it was the performance that was impressive. The factory V8 engine gave the Corvette stellar off-the-line times, and the styling of the car was one of the most beautiful of the era. The Corvette Split Window coupe is an unmistakable car. With the iconic styling and well-regarded performance front and center (via Motor Trend).

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The Corvette Split Window has continued to rise in value over the years. As the car becomes harder to come by, the price will only rise. You won’t find one of these cheap. But with the high price also comes the prestige of owning one of the most iconic cars ever with a Corvette badge.

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1969 Chevrolet COPO Camaro – $216,000

Anyone who knows anything about the history of the Camaro knows that there were quite a few special editions. The 1969 Chevrolet COPO Camaro is the quintessential performance version of the car. It had a short throw shifter and a more powerful V8 engine than the regular model. This wasn’t your daddy’s SS, and it didn’t look like the factory Camaro at the time. The COPO is the Camaro for the dedicated performance-minded driver (via Motor Trend).

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The COPO is one of the most expensive variations of the Camaro, it will set you back quite a bit. But the driving experience of the COPO compared to the standard SS model is like night and day. The 1969 Chevrolet COPO Camaro was by far one of the most impressive cars to come out of the early muscle car era.

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1966 RCR Ford GT40 Replica – $220,500

Low-slung and ready for performance – those are the two things that the 1966 RCR Ford GT40 Replica had in common. The legendary car was only built in a limited production run. There weren’t many of these models on the road, and finding one today is even harder. You’ll spend a lot of money to get your hands on an authentic version of this car. Replica cars generally got a lot of flack in the auto community (via Motor Trend).

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So what made the 1966 RCR Ford GT40 Replica such a special car? Well, it was an authentic replica of the car Ford won the LeMans races with. Just that alone makes the car an exceptional historical piece, but get behind the wheel and it’s a whole different experience. The 1966 RCR Ford GT40 Replica was one of the best performers of the era, breaking all kinds of land speed records.

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1957 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz Convertible – $225,000

The 1957 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz Convertible was only an 1800 car production model, which meant that it was quite rare. Back then the Cadillac brand was the pinnacle of luxury. The 1957 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz Convertible was the top-of-the-line model you could get, and it came with all kinds of luxury appointments for the price. The Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz Convertible was the pinnacle of luxury in an era where cars were becoming more advanced and refined (via Motor Trend).

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The 365 CI V8 engine was the top-of-the-line for the Cadillac brand at the time. Although the Eldorado was a heavy car, it moved down the road with authority thanks to this stellar engine. The price of the Eldorado was expensive back then, but it has gone up even more nowadays. The 1957 Eldorado Biarritz Convertible is an expensive investment because it’s one of the most historical Cadillac models.

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2002 BMW Z8 Roadster – $230,000

BMWs from the 2000s are also rising in value. The 2002 BMW Z8 Roadster was a stellar sports car, often underrated when it first hit the market. The short wheelbase and the peppy engine gave the car a great deal of performance for the price. The comfortable interior also included many modern luxury touches. There are few vehicles on the market that were as exciting and rare as the BMW Z8 Roadster. You don’t see these on the road at all anymore, and when you do it is quite the sight (via Motor Trend).

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The 2002 BMW Z8 Roadster had one of the best engines at the time. It’s also one of the most reliable BMW models from this era according to Consumer Reports. But the rarity of the car will cost you. The auction prices for the 2002 BMW Z8 Roadster have continued to rise, and you can expect to pay a lot to get your hands on one of these.

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1956 Chevrolet 210 Custom – $253,000

The 1956 Chevrolet 210 Custom was the quintessential family car of the 1950s. It came with a large interior and powerful engine, and at the time it was affordable. Family cars back then were a lot different than the vehicles we have today. The 1956 Chevrolet 210 Custom had a powerful V8 engine that gave it excellent performance. The Chevrolet 210 Custom did everything right and it was a successful model for the brand (via Motor Trend).

Photo Credit: Edmunds

It was also the era that influenced a lot of the hot rod culture that we have today. The 1956 Chevrolet 210 Custom is one of the most desired cars from the 1950s. With the great performance and beautiful styling, the car has always maintained a great reputation. The price of the 1956 Chevrolet 210 Custom has risen in recent years as it became more of a collector’s item.

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1970 Ford Mustang Boss 429 Fastback – $260,000

The 1970 Ford Mustang Boss 429 Fastback is one of the better-known variants of the Mustang. The Boss 429 had a lot of horsepower and excellent handling. But it was the styling of the 1970 Ford Mustang Boss 429 Fastback that set it apart from the competition. As soon as you laid eyes on the Boss 429, you knew it meant business. If there is one type of car that the Mustang brand has had success with, it has been the Fastback models (via Motor Trend).

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The aggressive stance of the car was also carried over to the rear end. The styling and the wheels became an iconic part of muscle car culture from this era. The 1970 Ford Mustang Boss 429 Fastback commands a high price at auctions. With the factory performance and the notoriety, the 1970 Ford Mustang Boss 429 Fastback was a car that changed the pony car era.

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1968 Ford Mustang GT500CR 900C Fastback – $276,000

The 1968 Ford Mustang GT500CR 900C Fastback is another impressive Mustang model that came out in the 1960s. The performance of the car broke the mold when it came to what Ford could do with the Mustang. The styling of the GT500CR let the world know what it was about. The bright red paint and the white stripes gave the car a unique look. There were so many GR variations of the Mustang that the GT500CR 900c stood out from the pack (via Motor Trend).

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The performance of the engine was a treat. The GT500CR could take on the best of what Detroit had to offer. The low-slung stance and the special edition factory wheels helped improve performance. The acceleration times were among the best of the era. There was no denying that this was a true pony car in every aspect.

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2000 Rolls-Royce Corniche Convertible – $280,000

Unlike most classic cars from the past, the Rolls-Royce Corniche seems to increase in value. The 2000 Rolls-Royce Corniche Convertible was the pinnacle of Rolls-Royce, and it was featured in countless music videos. The car has been fetching a very high price tag at the auctions lately, and the notoriety of the car is only likely to increase as time goes on. The Corniche was the car celebrities drove before the Phantom and before the Ghost (via Motor Trend).

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What made the Corniche great was the powerful motor and the almost unlimited supply of luxury features. From the built-in umbrella to the real wood trim, the Corniche is still a luxurious ride today. The 2000 Rolls-Royce Corniche Convertible has continued to fetch high price tags and the value has continued to rise.

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1967 Ford Mustang Fastback – $290,000

The 1967 Ford Mustang Fastback was the original fastback incarnation of the pony car. What that means is that it changed the game for the pony car segment altogether. The competition did not leave the performance of the Fastback unnoticed. There were comparable cars that hit the market from both Dodge and Chevy in this period. The Fastback was a Mustang with a specific purpose and it executed that purpose on the racetrack (via Motor Trend).

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But it was the 1967 Ford Mustang Fastback that seemed to resonate with consumers in a way that no other car had before. The unique styling and the impressive off-the-line performance made the car a legend. The auction prices for these cars have continued to rise as speed becomes more evident with a new generation of buyers.

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1966 Pontiac GTO Convertible – $300,000

The Pontiac GTO changed the muscle car segment forever. There has never been another car that captivated the auto world as this GTO did. The performance of the car was the most impressive aspect, but the styling also became iconic. The GTO Convertible took everything the two-door did right and added an open-air feeling. There is no way to downplay just how important the GTO Convertible was to the automotive industry during this era (via Motor Trend).

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The convertible has been fetching higher numbers on the auction block lately. There are very few muscle cars that people want as much as they want the GTO convertible. The fact that the car is so highly sought after is part of the reason that the value continues to rise. You’ll seldom find a car from this era that’s as notable as the GTO convertible.

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1975 Lincoln Continental Mark IV Batmobile Replica – $320,000

If there is a car that every kid from the 1960s and 1970s remembers, it’s the Batmobile. And finding a real-life Batmobile is not as impossible as you might think. Lincoln produced quite a few replicas. One of these replicas just fetched $320,000 at a Barrett Jackson auction. It should be noted that the Batmobile Replica was not a common production car and only a few of them exist (via Motor Trend).

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The 1975 Lincoln Continental Mark IV Batmobile Replica was already a luxurious car. But when you added all the Batmobile aspects to it, you got an even cooler car. The fact that it was a convertible only added to the unique styling of the car. There are very few rides from this era that will catch the attention that this Batmobile replica does.

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1959 Chevrolet Apache Custom Pickup – $330,000

Long before pickup trucks were the luxury items they are today, they were tools on the farm. The 1959 Chevrolet Apache Custom Pickup was the quintessential pickup truck from this era. It provided excellent styling and the functionality that consumers needed to get the job done. The 1959 Chevrolet Apache Custom Pickup has also become a collector’s item in recent years (via Motor Trend).

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The hot rod scene has always favored these trucks, partly due to their unique styling and performance. But there is a lot that you can do with these trucks that makes them stand out. The upgrades that can be done to the 1959 Chevrolet Apache Custom Pickup are almost unlimited, which is why the price tag is so high.

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2006 Ford GT – $340,000

The 2006 Ford GT was one of the most impressive cars to come out that year. It was the rebirth of the legend, and enthusiasts everywhere wanted one. The Fort GT was only available with four options. A recent sale at the Barrett Jackson of a model with all four options shows how much the car is worth nowadays (via Motor Trend).

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The 2006 Ford GT is a supercar that will make you have to remortgage your home. But the driving quality and feel that you’ll get behind the wheel is unlike anything else. There is no other car on the road that’s like the Ford GT. It’s a completely American-made car and it feels like it in every way.

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1969 Oldsmobile 442 Convertible – $350,000

The Oldsmobile 442 Convertible was the paradox of everything Oldsmobile was doing right. It had the styling and the performance that consumers were looking for. The 1969 Oldsmobile 442 Convertible was one of the most influential muscle cars on the market. When the muscle car era is looked back on, the Oldsmobile 442 is by far one of the most notable classics (via Motor Trend).

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The 1969 Oldsmobile 442 Convertible took all the greatness of the coupe and added that open-air feeling that a new generation of drivers wanted. The 442 engine is one of the most notable engines that have come out of Detroit. The 442 Convertible was by far one of the most fun-to-drive cars on the road.

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1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS Convertible – $360,000

Another car that is increasingly expensive to own is the 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS Convertible. This car was the pinnacle of the GM performance lineup back in the day. The Chevelle itself was legendary, but the open-air feeling of a convertible only added to the fun. The unique driving experience and the powerful V8 engine are not to be underestimated (via Motor Trend).

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The 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS Convertible has been fetching more and more money as time has gone on. The car will set you back a pretty penny, and it is one of the rarest models on the road. There are very few cars that could compete with the 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS Convertible on a performance level.

1970 Buick GSX
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1970 Buick GSX – $380,000

Much like the muscle cars that came before it, the Buick GSX was another GM creation. The car had all the performance of its stable mates, but it took things up a notch. This was not a Buick geared toward retirees and people who wanted comfort. The 1970 Buick GSX was a performance-built car, and it left a heavy reputation (via Motor Trend).

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The value of the 1970 Buick GSX has continued to rise because the car is so rare. You’ll seldom see one of these on the road anymore and that’s because the production numbers were lesser. The 1970 Buick GSX is by far one of the most iconic muscle cars in the Buick division. The styling and attitude of the car made it an instant classic.

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1962 Ford Thunderbird Sports Roadster – $380,000

The 1962 Ford Thunderbird Sports Roadster only added to the mystique that was the Thunderbird. The car was built for a purpose and that purpose was performance and style. The 1962 models especially have started to increase in value. The reason for this is the beauty of the car and the ability to upgrade the performance fairly easily (via Motor Trend).

Photo Credit: Hot Rod

There are very few cars from this era that could compete with the Thunderbird when it came to beauty. The styling of the car was unlike anything that was on the road at the time. The 1962 Ford Thunderbird Sports Roadster was fast, stylish, and got the job done. The 1962 Ford Thunderbird Sports Roadster is a great collector’s item.

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1996 Lamborghini Diablo VT Roadster – $400,000

Few supercars in the world have been as influential as the Diablo VT Roadster. The Diablo VT Roadster changed the way that we think about supercars and what they bring to the table. The Diablo VT Roadster was iconic, it had a long swooping body and a design that you’d only see in a movie. Lamborghinis from this era are some of the most beautiful cars on the road (via Motor Trend).

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The Lamborghini Diablo VT has increased in value steadily since the 1990s. Part of the appeal of the Diablo VT was the legendary performance, but it was also the one-of-a-kind styling. There aren’t many cars on the road that could pull off the extreme styling that the Diablo VT did, which is why it remains iconic to the day.

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1985 Lamborghini Countach LP5000S – $467,500

The Lamborghini Countach is a famous car, so much so that even Jay Leno owns one. Like Diablo, the Countach had a unique design that has remained iconic throughout many years. The performance of the Countach is one of the reasons that the car was a runaway hit for Lamborghini. But it was the styling of the car that became synonymous with success and wealth in the 1980s (via Motor Trend).

Lamborghini Countach
Photo Credit: Motor Trend

The Countach has continued to fetch higher prices on the auction block. Because of the car’s notoriety and interesting styling, there is a lot to like about it. Fast sports cars were a focal point of the eighties and the Countach was one of the sports cars that lead the charge. Even today, the car still invokes all kinds of emotions when you see one on the road.

Photo Credit: Edmunds

1953 Chevrolet Corvette Roadster – $468,500

The 1953 Chevrolet Corvette Roadster was known for being one of the first roadsters on the market. The 6-cylinder engine moved the car with authority, and the styling was iconic. The car was often referred to for its “toothy” grill on the front. The Corvette varied in styling in the years that followed. The 1953 Chevrolet Corvette Roadster performed great and looked beautiful (via Motor Trend).

Photo Credit: Edmunds

The 1953 Chevrolet Corvette Roadster has increased in value since its inception. The car was one of the first Corvette models on the road, and every model that came after it followed the design. Most cars from the 1950s were large and clunky, but the Corvette was one of the first cars that were nimble and fun to drive.

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1959 Chevrolet Impala Convertible – $470,000

There are certain models of the Impala that come to mind first when you think of classic cars. The 1959 model was special in its own right with a big powerful V8 engine and a nice attractive exterior styling. That was not the only thing that made the 59 Impala great. The car was also available in many body styles, which made it appealing to consumers (via Motor Trend).

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1959 became a surprise hit with the classic car community. The value continued to rise for the car, and it can be expensive to get your hands on one. The aftermarket community for the Impala is great and there are a lot of upgrades that you can do to the car. The 1959 Impala was one of the most attractive cars of its era.

Photo Credit: Barrett Jackson

1955 Chevrolet Nomad Custom – $480,000

The Chevrolet Nomad Custom is a well-known car in the hot rod community. The Nomad had a unique look to it which included an aggressive stance with a low-slung demeanor. To the average family who needed extra cargo space, the Nomad Custom was the way to go. This was in an era long before the minivan and the crossover were even a concept (via Work & Money).

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The Nomad became a hit in the aftermarket community as well. The performance of the car was great, and the room for upgrades was almost endless. Even in the factory configuration, the Nomad was an impressive wagon. Finding one of these for a cheap price is almost impossible nowadays.

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1965 Mercury Comet A/FX Lightweight – $500,000

The 1965 Mercury Comet A/FX Lightweight is one of the most understated muscle cars ever released. But in recent years, the Comet has gained traction in the collectors market. The 1965 Mercury Comet A/FX Lightweight was everything that made the factory Comet great but added to the performance (via Work & Money).

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That’s why the rare 1965 Mercury Comet A/FX Lightweight fetched quite the price at the auction block. The car at its core was built for drag racing, but it could be driven on the street. While the Mercury brand doesn’t come up often in the muscle car market, the 1965 Mercury Comet A/FX Lightweight is worth noting.

1968 Plymouth Road Runner
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1969 Plymouth Hemi Road Runner Coupe – $510,000

The Plymouth Hemi Road Runner Coupe is often referred to as the king of the hot rod era. The styling of the car was unlike the other muscle cars of the time, and the performance was exceptional. The Hemi V8 engine was referred to as one of the best to come out of Chrysler Corp. The values for the Road Runner continue to rise (via Work & Money).

1968 Plymouth Road Runner
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The Road Runner kept the reputation of the Plymouth brand in the limelight. The styling and the performance of the car influenced a whole new generation of drivers. It also helped cement the Hemi V8 as one of the greatest performance motors of all time, and that is important in the muscle car era.

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1965 Chevrolet Chevelle Z16 – $525,000

The 1965 Chevrolet Chevelle Z16 was a car that took the Chevelle name to the next level in terms of performance. The car had all the styling cues of an aggressive sports car and took them to the next level. The factory engine that came with the car was one of the best that GM had designed in a long time (via Work & Money).

1965 Chevrolet Chevelle Z16
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The 1965 Chevrolet Chevelle Z16 showed the world that the brand could be more than just a family car. It brought the performance that consumers had hoped for in a large sports car. The notoriety of the 1965 Chevrolet Chevelle Z16 has continued to make the car popular on the auction block to this day.

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Pontiac GTO Judge Convertible – $560,000

In a few short years, the Pontiac GTO Judge dramatically increased in value. The reason behind it is that the Pontiac brand was discontinued in 2010. Now there is a much larger consumer appetite for the classic Pontiac cars from the past. The Pontiac GTO Judge Convertible had a powerful V8 engine that broke records (via Work & Money).

Photo Credit: Mecum

The car also had the signature GTO styling that made the brand a hit. The Judge came with all kinds of modifications from the factory that made it perform like nothing else on the road. When it came to an interesting sports car that took things to the next level, the Pontiac GTO Judge Convertible was it.

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Equus Bass 770 – $600,000

A few years ago, the Equus Bass was getting quite a bit of media attention. A completely new automaker built the car, but the styling and the design were all classic Mustang. In fact, the car was basically the first generation Mustang with a completely modern interior and exterior. The Equus Bass had impressive off-the-line performance and track times from the factory (via Work & Money).

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The price for one was expensive, but if you wanted a completely modern muscle car, this was the way to go. The Equus was not just a carbon copy of the Mustang either. It had its own unique twist on the styling and when you saw one up close, you knew it was different. The way that Equus captivated the muscle car world is something that not many automakers have accomplished.

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16: Pontiac Trans Am ‘Smokey And The Bandit’ – $550,000

It should be of no surprise why the Smokey and the Bandit Trans Ams are worth a ton. The notoriety of the car alone makes for a high price tag in the automotive world. The car was not only expensive but it was also one of the most legendary cars to ever be on a TV show. Not to mention that it was a GM F-Body (via Work & Money).

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In a lot of ways, the Smokey And The Bandit Trans Am put Pontiac on the map in more ways than the GTO did. The car was easier to attain and it offered some serious performance for the price. The Trans Am was a popular pony car, and it offered a decent competitor for the Mustang and even the Camaro, which was essentially the same vehicle.

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Shelby GT – $600,000

Carroll Shelby always maintained a great relationship with the Ford Motor Company and the Mustang was usually the subject of his new projects. The Shelby GT was a limited-run sports car that put out some of the best performance that the Mustang has ever seen. The styling was dark and sinister, and one look at the car made other drivers know that it meant business (via Work & Money).

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The Shelby GT was a very limited production vehicle which meant that finding one costs a pretty penny. Every once in a while the Shelby GT will come up at the auction block and when it does it’s expensive. What made the car great other than the groundbreaking performance, was the styling and notoriety.

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Chevrolet Corvette L88 – $825,000

Every generation of the Corvette gets a model that defines that specific generation of the car. In the 1960s, it was the L88 model, which was a high-performance variant of the Corvette. Now the Corvette itself was no slouch on the track, but the L88 took things even further with a car designed to break performance records. The L88 was not a weekend cruiser, but rather a track bruiser that introduced a whole new world of performance to the Corvette (via Work & Money).

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The L88 was one of the rarest Corvette models that you could get your hands on. Sometimes it was hard to find, but nowadays more examples have been showing up at the auctions. This Corvette was the model that broke the mold when it came to performance. There was nothing slow or mild-mannered about the L88 Corvette.

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Shelby GT 500 – $742,500

The original Shelby GT 500 was also an impressive car that got the Mustang labeled a supercar. The performance of the Shelby GT 500 was among the fastest in the Mustang during the second generation. Carroll Shelby was instrumental in the design of the car and every aspect of what made it perform as it did. The Shelby GT 500 did everything right and challenged the status quo of the muscle car segment (via Work & Money).

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The Shelby GT 500 is also among the most expensive and most highly sought-after Mustang models on the road. There weren’t a lot of them made at all and the few that are on the market have been restored. The Shelby GT 500 is one of the few Mustang models that continues to increase in value every year.

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Dodge Charger Daytona Hemi – $900,000

There was a time when automotive manufacturers sent stock cars to the NASCAR racing circuit. Hence the reason why they were called stock cars in the first place. Dodge needed a way to start winning more races, and thus the Charger Daytona Hemi was introduced. The car had many similarities to the Plymouth Super Bird, which also had similar styling (via Work & Money).

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The Charger Daytona Hemi went on to win many races in NASCAR. The design of the car was legendary and cemented Dodge as a serious contender in the muscle car world. Unlike the other Charger models of the time, this one had a distinct nose that made it much more aerodynamic than the other models.

1970 Plymouth Superbird
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Plymouth Superbird Hemi – $1 million

Perhaps more notable than the Charger Daytona was the Superbird Hemi which fetched a cool million on the auction block. The Superbird Hemi was the car that Plymouth won many NASCAR races with. Richard Petty made the Superbird famous in what was dubbed the “aero wars” of the 1960s and 1970s. Cars were becoming more aerodynamic to win the races (via Work & Money).

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The Plymouth Superbird was among one of the most famous cars in the muscle car era. Its styling and performance of it were unlike anything else that was on the market. There were competitors, but never anything that came close to the quality of the Superbird when it came to performance.

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Shelby GT 500 Eleanor From “Gone In 60 Seconds” – $1 million

Movie cars also fetch a pretty penny on the auction block and the Shelby GT 500 from Gone in 60 Seconds was a popular ride. The car which was driven by Nicholas Cage in the movie was a real car. It was sold to various owners over the past 20 years after the hit movie faded into the limelight (via Work & Money).

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The Shelby GT 500 itself was one of the most notable muscle cars that ever hit the market. The styling and the excellent performance made it stand out from the standard run-of-the-mill Mustang models. The fact that the car was featured in such a popular movie made it even more famous in the collectors market.

Chevrolet Camaro - Chevrolet Chevelle
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Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 – $1 million

The Camaro ZL1 was another highly anticipated sports car built by COPO. If that company sounds familiar it’s because they also built the special edition COPO Camaro. The COPO Camaro was fast off the line and had one of the most custom engines that GM had put into the car. The COPO Camaro ZL1 is different from many other Camaro models that hit the market (via Work & Money).

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The COPO Zl1 offered the type of performance that was not seen on a Camaro model before. The styling and the complete package were popular, with a select few customers. The first generation of the Camaro was an iconic model for many reasons, and the ZL1 COPO made it an even better car.

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Pontiac Catalina 421 “Swiss Cheese” – $1 Million

The GTO often overshadows the Pontiac Catalina and other muscle cars from that era, but it was pretty fast in its own right. The styling of the Catalina 421 made it stand out from the crowd, and the special Swiss Cheese edition was a rare car. Infused with the kind of performance that you only found on the top performance cars in the world (via Work & Money).

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The car has been fetching even higher prices on the auction block which is one of the reasons that it is so rare. To find a Pontiac Catalina 421 “Swiss Cheese” that has all of the original markings is a pretty difficult thing to do. You’ll seldom see one of these on the auction block anymore, but when you do they are rare.

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Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454 LS6 – $1.2 million

The Chevrolet Chevelle was a popular muscle car, but in addition to the SS being popular, there was also a special LS6 model. The Chevelle SS LS6 is among one of the most sought-after examples on the market. What made it special was the 454 performance motor that was under the hood. Even by today’s standards, the Chevelle SS 454 was a powerful muscle car that offered a lot of bang for the buck (via Work & Money).

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Of course, the Chevelle LS6 was not a common car, and finding one is not an easy task. You won’t find this example of the Chevelle for sale very often. When they are for sale, they fetch a high price because of the rarity of the car. The unique styling of the car and the fact that it was a Chevelle SS have all contributed to the unique qualities it had.

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Shelby Cobra 289 – $1.6 million

The Shelby Cobra 289 was one of the rarest versions of the popular Shelby Cobra Roadster. The most recent sale of a Shelby Cobra 289 was for over $1.6 Million at the auction. Part of the reason that the car was so rare was that it had a limited production run. Carroll Shelby had a hand in every Cobra 289 built and put into production (via Work & Money).

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The Shelby Cobra 289 was by far one of the rarest and most highly sought-after Cobra examples. There are many on the market, but the 289 is unlike anything else. The attention to detail that went into the car, and the sheer performance that the roadster has, will leave a smile on your face every time.

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Shelby EXP500 Green Hornet – $1.8 million

The Shelby EXP500 was by far one of the rarest muscle cars ever produced in a Carroll Shelby factory. The unique look of the car is only magnified by the stellar performance under the hood. The Shelby EXP500 Green Hornet broke many records when it came to being a notoriously fast and rare muscle car. The Shelby Green Hornet was not well marketed, and thus there are very few still on the road (via Work & Money).

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The Shelby EXP500 Green Hornet was a powerful muscle car that made it a hit with the muscle car community. Carroll Shelby was instrumental in creating a version of the Mustang that could perform the best that the world had to offer. There aren’t many muscle cars like the Shelby EXP500 Green Hornet.

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Plymouth Hemi Cuda Convertible – $2 to 4 million

The Plymouth Hemi Cuda Convertible is also one of the rarest muscle cars that have come out of Chrysler. The Hemi Cuda itself was a massively popular muscle car at a time when Chrysler was growing. The look and feel of the car made it a monstrous success for the company, but it was also the fast performance that made it fly off of dealership lots. The Plymouth Barracuda proved to be one of the most successful muscle cars ever produced in a Chrysler factory (via Work & Money).

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The Plymouth Hemi Cuda Convertible maintained dominance in the muscle car market. Generally speaking, a convertible was not considered to be a real contender but that all changed with the Hemi Cuda. The timeless styling and iconic performance of the car made it stand out from the crowd.

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Shelby GT500 Super Snake – $2.2 million

The Shelby GT500 Super Snake was another great muscle car that came out of the partnership Carroll Shelby had with Ford. The styling of the car and the one-of-a-kind performance made it stand out from the crowd. The engine that came under the hood performed better than any other muscle car competing at the time. The GT500 Super Snake was an impressive addition to an already impressive lineup of Mustang models (via Work & Money).

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The Super Snake kept the reputation that Carroll Shelby had for quality and performance. The product that hit the market was well above the competition’s expectations. The car was not only fast but it was also one of the fastest production vehicles on the road. There weren’t a lot of examples of the Super Snake put into production.

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Ford Mustang GT390 Bullitt $3 Million

The Ford Mustang GT390 Bullitt was the car that made the Mustang name famous in the movies. You probably heard about the Bullitt, but seeing one in person is not as easy. The car was a limited production run, and the only thing that makes it noticeable is the forest green paint job and the unique pinstripe up the side. The Bullitt remained an integral part of the Mustang heritage and a car that Ford has revived over various generations of the car (via Work & Money).

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The Ford Mustang GT390 Bullitt will go down as one of the most notable Mustang models of all time. The amount of design and engineering that went into the car further cemented it as a classic. When it comes to Ford and the Mustang, there are few cars as noticeable as the Bullitt.

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Shelby GT 350 R – $3.85 Million

The Shelby GT 350 R is another muscle car that has come a long way in its development. The notable design of the car and the one-of-a-kind performance separated it from the pack. The Mustang was not considered a high-performance muscle car, but when the GT 350 R hit the market, that attitude towards the Mustang changed. The Shelby GT 350 R was considered a groundbreaking performance car for both Shelby and Ford (via Work & Money).

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The Mustang GT 350 R was unlike anything else on the market at the time. Take one look at the paint job, and it’s evident that this was not a run-of-the-mill muscle car. There was a lot to like about the Mustang, and the main thing was the excellent performance and the almost never-ending line of special edition models like the GT 350 R.

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