The 10 Most Desirable Muscle Cars

Muscle cars have always held a particular place in American automotive history, defined by big-displacement V8s, aggressive styling, and a direct connection from the race track to street performance.

But beyond straight-line speed, the most desirable muscle cars are those that tell a story of design, secret knowledge, engineering innovation, and cultural impact.

1970 Plymouth Hemi 'Cuda

The Hemi ‘Cuda is sometimes viewed as the muscle car in its purest form. Its 426 cubic inch HEMI V8 made it a serious street machine, while low production numbers—especially for convertibles—have made it a cornerstone of the high-end collector market.

1969 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

Only 69 units of the ZL1 Camaro were built, each fitted with an all-aluminum 427 big-block developed for racing. Though priced out of reach when new, the ZL1’s rarity and performance have made it one of the most sought-after Camaros ever produced.

1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454 LS6

The LS6-powered Chevelle SS remains one of the most powerful muscle cars of the pre-smog era. Factory-rated at 450 horsepower, it offered brute-force performance in a package that looked as menacing as it drove.

1969 Dodge Charger Daytona

Built to dominate NASCAR’s superspeedways, the Daytona’s wind-cheating nose and towering rear wing were as functional as they were polarizing. Just over 500 were built, making it both rare and visually iconic.

1965 Shelby GT350

Technically a modified Mustang, the GT350 helped legitimize the pony car as more than just a style statement. Built by Carroll Shelby’s team, it brought road-racing DNA to the muscle car era and remains a touchstone of Ford performance.

1971 Buick GSX Stage 1

The GSX offered a quieter, more refined muscle car. Its 455 V8 was among the torquiest of the era, with Stage 1 versions capable of low-13-second quarter-mile times—an impressive feat for a car of its size and comfort.

1970 Oldsmobile 442 W-30

Often overlooked compared to GM siblings, the 442 W-30 was a sleeper in the truest sense. It came with a blueprinted 455 V8, functional ram-air, and a well-balanced chassis. Many owners appreciated its blend of speed and understated styling.

1964 Pontiac GTO

Seen by many as the car that kicked off the muscle car trend, the GTO took a midsize LeMans and stuffed a 389 V8 under the hood. It wasn’t the fastest, but it set the template everyone else followed, right down to the name.

1973 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am SD-455

As the muscle car era wound down, the SD-455 served as a last hurrah. It came with special castings, beefed-up internals, and performance that exceeded its conservative factory rating. Fewer than 300 were built, making it super rare and historically collectible.

1968 Ford Mustang 428 Cobra Jet

Ford's response to GM and Chrysler’s growing street dominance, the 428 Cobra Jet Mustang added real performance credibility. With power under-reported for insurance purposes, it gave buyers serious performance without the over-the-top styling of some competitors.