Over the course of several decades, American auto manufacturers allowed their creativity to run rampant, culminating in the creation of some of the world’s most beautiful cars, each crafted meticulously with an emphasis on both style and raw power. More than 50 years later, these magnificent models have come to epitomize the sense of grandeur sadly lacking from many modern creations.
For those with an interest in American classics, restoring one of these fantastic machines to its former glory presents a range of benefits. For many auto fans, restoring a classic car quickly becomes a passion project, becoming a part of their identity, as well as providing a fascinating hobby.
Restoring an old classic saves a perfectly good machine from the scrap heap, benefiting the environment. When restored well, a classic car can serve a functional role in daily life. Although they generally require more work to operate than standard modern cars, the payoff is well worth it, with many of these machines designed for long-distance road trips, incorporating technically excellent mechanics.
In addition to providing a rewarding hobby and an opportunity to connect with other classic car enthusiasts, restoring American classics often comes with financial incentives. For those who buy and painstakingly restore vintage automobiles, the investment is likely to pay off when the time comes to sell, particularly if they are prepared to have some of the work carried out by seasoned professionals.
From the Dodge Charter Daytona 426 Hemi to the Shelby GT350R, we look at some of the most interesting and sought-after classic American cars on the market today.
1. 1969 Dodge Charger Daytona 426 Hemi
This single-year model had an extremely limited production of just 503 units. Of those, just 70 came with a 426 Hemi, an engine widely credited as a trailblazer of the muscle car era. Just 22 of those 503 units came with the rare four-speed manual transmission. The Dodge Charger Daytona was designed to win NASCAR races, and achieved precisely that, leaving its mark on history. An expertly restored example of this iconic automobile can command a price of up to $1.35 million today.
2. 1974 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am SD455
According to many classic car enthusiasts, the age of the muscle car came to an end in 1971. However, a small but determined group of Pontiac engineers continued undeterred, creating an evolved Ram Air IV engine, which they installed under the hood of the 1974 Firebird. Despite its late vintage, the model is a fully capable muscle car with a current market price tag of circa $75,000.
3. 1970 Buick GSX
Combining the body of the solid-selling midsized Buick Skylark with a roaring 7.5-liter engine capable of 400 hp, the Buick GSX came in just two iconic colors, “Saturn Yellow” and “Apollo White.” Capable of covering a quarter mile in just 13.38 seconds, the Buick GSX quickly established itself as one of America’s fastest cars. The model’s collectability is well established, with carefully restored specimens commanding six-figure price tags all over the world.
4. 1969 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1
Chevrolet produced just 69 units of the Camaro ZL1, which incorporates a 427 cubic inch aluminum block V-8 engine that was assembled by hand, representing a colossal and extremely time-consuming undertaking. The model’s low manufacturing run combined with its labor-intensive design singles out the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 as one of the rarest, most valuable Camaros ever produced. Today, the Camaro ZL1 attracts an average price of some $561,000.
5. 1971 Oldsmobile 442 W30
The Oldsmobile’s 442 configuration stands for four-barrel carburetor, four-speed gearbox, and dual exhaust. Developed in response to the Pontiac GTO, the Oldsmobile 442 was first introduced in 1964, and was continually updated, with the introduction of big-block engines in 1965, when the W30 performance option was launched. In 1971, slight improvements were made to the Oldsmobile 442, including design features that included a black grille with 442 script, and round running lights. Just 110 units of the 1971 Oldsmobile 442 W30 were produced, which all incorporated a turbo 400 transmission, and fiberglass force induction hood. However, GM subsequently pulled the plug on big-block cars due to strict emissions regulations, and the 1971 442 marked the end of Oldsmobile muscle cars. One in good condition today can fetch as much as $113,000.
6. 1965 Shelby GT350R
Built specifically with SCCA racing in mind, Shelby’s GT350R was based on the 1965 Fastback coupe. Just 32 units of the “R” model were built. Non-street-legal, the Shelby GT350R featured a 289 cubic inch small-block V-8 engine capable of a 350 hp output, and 0-60 sprints in 5 seconds, covering a quarter mile run in just 13.6 seconds. Painted Wimbledon White with vivid blue stripes, this purpose-built racecar became a template for GT350 road cars to follow. In 2020, a 1965 Shelby GT350R made history as the most expensive Mustang on the planet, fetching $3.85 million at auction.
6 Classic American Cars That Are Surprisingly Valuable Today
