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At the 2016 Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals, amidst a sea of automotive legends, one car managed to pop eyes like a cartoon character seeing a pie in a windowsill: the “Paint Chip Cuda.” This unique Plymouth Barracuda stood out not just for its vibrant, multi-hued exterior reminiscent of a color-blind painter’s palette, but also for the curious story behind its creation. It’s a car that’s more than just metal and paint; it’s a rolling testament to the art of standing out.
The 1967 Pontiac GTO Ram Air, affectionately called “the Goat,” roared onto the scene with more muscle than a gym full of bodybuilders. Despite Pontiac’s failed attempt to brand it with a Tiger, fans were enamored. With only 56 convertibles sporting the rare Ram Air option, these beauties are rarer than a unicorn at a petting zoo. Sporting upgrades like a Rochester Quadrajet carb and a sassy chrome mesh grille, this GTO was the ultimate highway king, making car enthusiasts swoon like it was automotive rock ‘n’ roll.
The 1970 Plymouth 426 Hemi ‘Cuda wasn’t just a muscle car; it was the automotive equivalent of a peacock, strutting its stuff with bright colors and a shaker hood that screamed “look at me!” Under the hood, a 426-cubic-inch Hemi engine made this ‘Cuda a beast, admired even by die-hard Chevy and Ford fans. At $3,164 MSRP, it was a steal—until you added the Hemi for an extra $871.45. Throw in an AM radio with an eight-track for $196.25, and you’d be cruising in style, albeit 1970s style.
If you’ve ever dreamed of owning a classic muscle car but thought your wallet couldn’t handle the horsepower, think again! We’ve compiled a list of ten iconic American beasts that won’t have you mortgaging your house or selling a kidney. These beauties can be yours for less than the cost of a five-year-old Honda Civic. Imagine cruising down the highway in a Pontiac GTO or kicking up dust in a Dodge Charger, without breaking the bank. Buckle up, it’s time to ride in style!
When Norman Sargent, a spirited 8-year-old, moved in with his mechanic stepfather, he was whisked away in a 1967 Ford Mustang Fastback, igniting a lifelong love affair with classic cars. As he recalls, “From then on, I was hooked!” Fast forward to today, and Sargent is the mastermind behind Grave Robbers Restoration, a place where vintage vehicles rise from the ashes. With a laugh, he says, “Our motto? We bring cars back from the dead because the afterlife is too boring for Mustangs!”
In the wild world of the 1970s, the Ford Gran Torino 1973 strutted its stuff as the only intermediate-sized Ford, with the Fairlane playing second fiddle. The EPA’s pollution police cracked down, squeezing engine compression to 8.5:1, but no fear—the horsepower numbers just got a makeover to the more honest SAE net BHP. The base 250 cu in inline six was like that dependable buddy, while the 429 Cobra-Jet was your wild friend who now ran on regular unleaded. Thanks to Gateway Classic Cars for the groovy pics!
There’s nothing like driving a muscle car, and sometimes, they wear a sedan disguise. These six sedans pack a punch, turning grocery runs into heart-racing adventures. Take the Dodge Durango, for instance—it’s part SUV, part muscle car, like a Clark Kent of vehicles. Or the Dodge Charger R/T Scat Pack, offering cheap thrills with its 485 hp V-8. It’s secretly a muscle car in a business suit, ready to unleash a caramel-thick rumble at any moment. Who says practicality can’t have a rebellious streak?
