5 Golden Age Muscle Cars You Can Bid On Right Now
If you’re itching for some classic American muscle and you have enough scratch to satisfy the urge, this is a great weekend for collectors. Bring a Trailer has some fairly spectacular rides up for auction that close in the next week or so, that could rock the cyber block when the virtual gavel drops. Sorry, this isn’t a budget list or “hidden gems” kind of thing, as all of these cars are Golden Age A-listers with desirable big-blocks. Also, several are highly documented, low-mileage, all-original beauties that definitely won’t go cheap. We ranked them by their Hagerty excellent condition value, which all seems to fit, but there’s a good chance some or all will outpace that price.
5
1966 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 396
Estimated Value: $84,000
This 1966 Chevy Chevelle SS 396 is particularly interesting in that it’s not necessarily all original, but the way it has been altered makes it a better set of wheels and shouldn’t affect its value negatively. It was repainted from beige to Sunburst Orange Metallic, which is a huge step up, and the Cragar S/S wheels are a welcome addition. The engine appears to be a numbers-matching 396 V8, but it has an Edelbrock aluminum intake manifold, chrome Moroso valve covers, plus an upgraded ignition and performance headers, which make it more formidable. The odometer shows only 1,700 miles, but the listing notes that “total mileage is unknown,” so probably at some point when it was restored, the odometer was replaced, and it’s not actually a super-low-mileage car. Even so, this is a compelling ride that’s original enough to challenge its $84,000 Hagerty excellent condition value.
4
1969 Plymouth Road Runner Convertible
Estimated Value: $86,067
When it comes to classic Mopar muscle, it’s generally the 426 Hemi and 440 Six Pack cars that bring in the big paydays, but 383 Magnum cars are really starting to take off. This ’69 Plymouth Road Runner 383 convertible has tremendous potential because it’s both rare and exceptional. It’s a numbers-matching four-speed, which is a price multiplier and, as far as we can tell, a survivor car. There is nothing in the listing that mentions a restoration or refurbishment, so that’s another thing that could send bids into the stratosphere. With 77,000 original miles, it’s a lightly used Mopar masterpiece and, as the seller points out, one of just 2,128 Road Runner drop-tops built in ’69. Similar 383 Road Runner convertibles have topped the $100k mark at auction and this car could as well. The current bid is sitting at $19,690, which is a fantasy for whoever placed it, but there’s still almost a week to go, which should see some fireworks in the final moments.
3
1967 Ford Mustang Fastback GT
Estimated Value: $92,833
Mustang collectors are famously passionate, and this 1967 Fastback GT is sure to generate serious excitement. The listing states that the car underwent a $100,000 restoration, which is just the kind of commitment that Mustang fans admire, and because of that, it’s probably a Concours-level condition vehicle. It’s an all-original vehicle with the numbers-matching 390 V8 and four-speed transmission, but it did receive a repaint. It left the factory as a Nightmist Blue car and is now an Acapulco Blue Mustang, which is something only the most devoted Blue Oval enthusiasts could tell the difference between. With invoices, a window sticker, and a deluxe Marti report, this car is well documented, plus it only has 30,000 miles on it, but that may not be accurate. With an excellent condition value slightly under the six-figure mark, the big question is, will this Mustang cross the threshold at auction and justify its steep restoration cost? We expect it to make a strong showing when it closes in seven days.
2
1969 Chevrolet Camaro SS/RS 396
Estimated value: $97,667
There are few things more desirable than a 1969 Chevy Camaro RS/SS 396, but this entry on our list comes with an asterisk because it might not actually be one. The listing calls the car an “RS/SS-Style 1969 Chevrolet Camaro 396 4-Speed” which makes us think it’s a replica or tribute, but the body tag identifies it as an SS 396 with RS style group trim. It’s curious that the seller didn’t just list it as a Camaro SS 396, because we’re pretty sure that’s what it is, but now there are seeds of doubt that could affect the sale price. The car appears to be a numbers-matching gem that has been completely restored, though it was repainted from one shade of black to another shade of black, which is something only the most detail-oriented enthusiasts would notice. It comes with a window sticker that was difficult to read, so we couldn’t verify anything, but we do think this is a legitimate vehicle. Commenters on the listing, however, are fairly certain this is a replica, and some even think it’s actually a ’68. Either way, it’s a Camaro with a 396, and that’s impressive no matter how you look at it.
1
1970 Dodge Challenger R/T 440 Six Pack
Estimated Value: $110,600
There is no disputing the legitimacy of this 1970 Dodge Challenger Six Pack R/T, as it is real and spectacular. Receiving a rotisserie restoration in 2009, this classic Mopar muscle car was put back together exactly as the fender tag dictated. With a numbers-matching 390 horsepower 440 Six Pack V8, featuring a trio of two-barrel carbs and a four-speed transmission with Hurst pistol grip shifter, this is one of 847 Challengers that left the factory with that powertrain. But wait, it gets even better because this car only has 15,000 miles on the odometer and there’s no note of that being inaccurate, so this is indeed a special set of wheels. We’re fairly confident the seller has at least a $100k reserve on this, but just as convinced that bidding will blow that number away. The current bid is $81,000 with four days to go, so clearly this one is going to explode. If you’re looking at this exceptional Challenger, get your bids in before Halloween and be prepared to spend a considerable amount of money.
Sources: Bring a Trailer, Hagerty
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