Under-Rated Muscle Cars to Focus on
From the iconic Ford Mustang to the speedy Dodge Challenger to the beautiful Chevrolet Camaro, there's plenty of high-performance muscle cars that everybody knows. But what about the ones nobody talks about? Keep reading to discover some amazing yet ignored muscle cars.
Dodge Dart Demon
Dodge is famous for its muscle cars, but the Dart Demon is one of the brand’s most underrated models. This car was only manufactured for one year, but it made a huge impact with an upgraded Hemi V8 engine, agile handling, and a 3-liter supercharger.
AMC AMX
The AMC AMX was an excellent addition to the muscle car market in 1968 because, unlike many other options, it was surprisingly affordable. But it still provided plenty of aggressive power, with a performance-ready V8 engine, Borg-Warner four-speed transmission, and power-assisted brakes.
Plymouth Satellite
Out of all of Plymouth's amazing pony cars, the Satellite is the most underrated. It was the first car to have the now-iconic Road Runner bodywork, as well as a high-performance engine that was ideal for cruising. Its rarity should have collectors clamoring.
Mercury Cougar XR
Have you ever heard of the Mercury Cougar XR? Probably not, but we want that to change. This muscle car was the epitome of luxury and was considered to be even more upscale and stylish than the Ford Mustang! Its driving experience was as dreamy as its design.
Ford Galaxie 500
Ford may have made a name with the Mustang, but the Galaxie 500 came first! Its vintage muscular shape is timeless, and the styling prioritizes both comfort and adventure. Both the coupe and sedan versions performed excellently, thanks to their 7-liter V8 engines.
Oldsmobile Rallye 350
As its name suggests, the Oldsmobile Rallye 350 is a rally-level performance car that owned its small niche when it was released in 1970. It was a limited-edition version of the Cutlass, with a new, sporty look and cool features, such as an “anti-spin” differential.
Buick GSX
While many collectors are eager to get their hands on a classic Buick GSX, it’s never quite part of mainstream conversation. And that's a shame because it has a top speed of 135 mph, and was once named the “quickest American production car”. Its beauty is a bonus.
Studebaker Lark
Studebaker may no longer exist, but the ‘59 Lark certainly deserves to be remembered. It has some of the best and longest-lasting muscle car parts around, all wrapped up in gorgeous, sleek bodywork. Despite its smaller size, it easily kept up with larger muscle cars.
Thunderbird Supercoupe
The Thunderbird Supercoupe was a little late to the muscle car race, only launching in 1989, but it certainly lived up to expectations! It was performance-focused, with a supercharged engine that engaged the driver and Traction-Lok differential. Sadly, it's quite underrated nowadays.
AMC Rambler Rebel
We all love a rebel! And this stunning Rambler was actually the first intermediate-sized performance car. Drivers enjoyed a thrilling ride with a rev-happy V8 engine, dual exhausts, and long-set wheelbase. The design was also innovative, with a wraparound glass area.
Dodge Coronet 440
The brand that brought you the Challenger and Charger also created the underappreciated Coronet 440. It was one of the earliest muscle cars, launched in 1949, and helped establish the future of torquey engines and aggressive bodywork. It only improved with age.
Triumph Spitfire
Lots of muscle car enthusiasts will know of the Triumph Spitfire, yet we rarely hear anyone talking about it. It was a British muscle car with a sophisticated Italian design, so it's one of the best-looking pony cars ever built! It's also lightweight and perfect for cruising.
Pontiac Grand Prix 421
While the Pontiac Grand Prix line gets lots of attention, the limited-edition 421 model is often overlooked. It was introduced as a model upgrade in the early ‘60s. The engine produced 405 horsepower, and the dual four-barrel carburetors took its power output to exciting new heights.
Ford Ranchero GT
Utility vehicles aren't always attractive, but the Ford Ranchero GT is an exception. It's a unique muscle car with a pickup bed for stowing cargo, but also a high-speed, sporty vehicle that even the most traditional pony car fans will appreciate.
Plymouth Duster 340
As if the Plymouth Duster wasn't great enough, in 1970, the brand brought out a special edition version: the Duster 340. Everything about it was performance-centric. It had a 340 cubic-inch V8 engine, enhanced front disc brakes, and supercar stripes on the body.
GMC Sprint
The GMC Sprint was an excellent muscle car, so why do we never hear about it now? Many have forgotten how it seamlessly blended the power of the classic muscle car with the practicality of the traditional pickup truck. And all without skimping on style.
AMC Rebel Machine
Any car named “The Machine” deserves respect! And drivers loved it for its power, speed, and aggressive design, all of which were a massive upgrade from AMC’s typical everyday vehicles. It was also breathtaking to look at, with a distinctive red, white, and blue design.
Oldsmobile Cutlass W-31
Every great muscle car deserves a high-performance upgrade, and that’s what the W-31 was for the Oldsmobile Cutlass. It promised better speed, reaching a high of 120 mph, thanks to its 350 V8 engine. Sadly, due to their high modification, only a few W-31s were built.
Buick GS 455
The Buick GS 455 was an all-American muscle car with a phenomenal 455 cubic-inch V8 engine that could exceed 130 mph! Its vintage Stage 1 design is timeless, and you’d absolutely hear it coming before you saw it. That deserves some love.
Chevrolet Biscayne 427
The Chevrolet Biscayne 427 has been described as a “sleeper car”, but it’s about time people wake up to it! It was a significantly more powerful version of the Biscayne that elevated it to higher muscle car status. It was a great option for drag racing.
MGB GT
Not every muscle car needs to be an aggressive racer. The beautiful (and rarely discussed) MGB GT was the ideal grand tourer, with plenty of power for long journeys. You’d be riding in style, too, with this compact, sporty design and practical, comfortable interior.
Dodge Super Bee
Would you believe us if we said that a muscle car was named after a Looney Tunes character? Then let us introduce the Dodge Super Bee! Despite its weight, it was remarkably fast, with performance tires, racing stripes, and heavy-duty suspension.
Pontiac Catalina 2+2
The Pontiac Catalina 2+2 was such a roaring success that it upgraded from a trim option to its own line. It was a large-bodied car that provided power but also comfort. Drivers could recline in luxurious bucket seats while reaching a top speed of 130 mph.
Mercury Marauder X-100
The Mercury Marauder X-100 is another luxury edition of a classic muscle car that deserves its own spotlight. The beautiful design included two-tone paint, alloy wheels, and leather upholstery. It was a top-notch speedster, too, despite weighing around 4,000lbs!
Jensen Interceptor
British muscle cars often don’t get enough attention. Take the Jensen Interceptor. It had gorgeous Italian styling, a roaring V8 engine and became the first car to feature four-wheel drive. In its prime, it was powerful enough to rival Aston Martin and Jaguar.
AMC Hornet SC/360
Even the smallest muscle cars were absolute beasts. The oft-forgotten AMC Hornet SC/360 included a noisy 360 cubic-inch engine with a four-barrel carburetor and dual exhausts. Fewer than 800 of this model were ever built, and collectors should be searching for them.
Dodge Aspen
You might have heard of the Dodge Aspen, but it’s never a hot topic of conversation. That’s a shame because it was an iconic ‘70s muscle car with various forms, all built on the Chrysler F-Body platform. And while it did have some issues, it remained a fun, powerful ride.
Oldsmobile Jetstar
This muscle car is a star by name and nature. Everything about it was big; from its body to its engine to its performance. It drove like a sports car but delivered muscle car revs and had an upscale yet aggressive appearance. It was not for the faint of heart.
Chevrolet Nova SS 396
This is one muscle car that we’re seriously excited to see revived this year. The Chevrolet Nova SS 396 was powerful, aggressive, and great to look at, and its classic form ran fast enough to put many modern cars to shame. It’s a piece of American automotive history.
Infiniti M45
It may not look like a typical muscle car, but don't let that fool you! This is a Japanese muscle car, and those favor a less aggressive look. It puts performance first, with a torquey V8 engine and active rear steering system, guaranteeing a smooth driving experience.
Buick Gran Sport 455
This is yet another underrated muscle car that consistently exceeded expectations with its size and speed. The 455 cubic-inch engine provided incredibly swift and smooth acceleration, and it also featured heavy-duty suspension and four-speed transmission, which further improved its performance.
Chrysler 300 Hurst
In 1970, Chrysler upped their game to match their competitors and released a high-performance version of the Chrysler 300 muscle car. The Hurst was limited-edition, with a sleek hardtop design, a powerful four-barrel engine, and a distinctive white and gold design.
Chevrolet Monza Mirage
For muscle car enthusiasts, the Chevrolet Monza Mirage is a dream. It had a unique sporty trim but retained the distinctive muscle car aggression. The V8 engine was rev-happy and quick to accelerate, and it had several great aesthetic features, including a rear spoiler.
AMC Javelin
The AMC Javelin is another well-known muscle car that we don’t talk about enough. It was capable of dragstrip runs of over 90 mph in 15 seconds! The four-barrel V8 engine ensured consistent high performance, and the car’s bold, muscular look make it a total classic.
Ford Mustang 428 Cobra-Jet
To end this list with a bang, we’re calling attention to the Ford Mustang 428 Cobra-Jet. It’s a criminally underrated Mustang with a racetrack-level performance that didn’t sacrifice style. It was also great for daily driving, with quick acceleration and incredible handling.
