Awesome Muscle Cars That Are Getting on Our Radar
Muscle cars are very recognizable vehicles, but there are far more than just the Mustangs, Challengers, and Chevelles. In fact, we think the best muscle cars are the underrated ones. Keep reading to discover 35 that are finally getting noticed.
Ford Torino Cobra
Just six years after the Mustang roared to life, Ford released this high-powered beauty. It was the perfect option for people who loved the pony car build but wanted something truly fast and aggressive. The Torino Cobra is now beloved for its rarity.
Pontiac Grand Prix GXP
Everyone knows the Pontiac Grand Prix line, but the GXP is its most tragically overlooked offering. It’s a modern muscle car, which may be why it gets less attention than its ‘60s and ‘70s predecessors, but many drivers are learning to love its innovative high-speed front-wheel drive.
Buick Wildcat
This Wildcat is a wildcard, and that’s a good thing! It was Buick’s first attempt at building a performance-oriented car, so some drivers had little faith in it, but the Wildcat certainly proved them wrong. It combines muscle car looks with sporty handling for an engaging driving experience.
Dodge Coronet 440
The Dodge Coronet 440 dates all the way back to the 1960s, yet it never truly got the respect it deserved. The 440 trim upscaled the Coronet’s main features, giving it a unique edge over many competitors. It also featured a supremely powerful engine.
MGB GT
MGB is known for making quirky British sports cars, which is probably why the 1965 GT muscle car flew under the radar. Unlike its heavily built peers, the GT is far smaller and more lightweight, making it a nimble, practical option, without skimping on style.
AMC Javelin SST
You’ve probably heard of the AMC Javelin, but what about the SST? This was another amazing variant that is only just getting noticed now, thanks to its more luxurious design, which includes a woodgrain trim, and its very capable V8 engine.
Plymouth Road Runner
If this muscle car’s gorgeous looks aren’t enough to win you over, Plymouth actually named it after the Looney Tunes character! It’s the ideal collector car, with a classic muscle car build and engine designed to appeal to young daredevils in any era.
GMC Sprint SP
The GMC Sprint SP absolutely puts the muscle in ‘muscle car’! It’s an incredibly powerful vehicle, capable of hauling cargo in its pickup-truck bed and handling various types of terrain. But it also prioritizes style, with a distinctive front grille and sleek exterior.
Chevrolet Biscayne
You’ll be hard-pressed to find a muscle car as beautiful as the Chevrolet Biscayne, so why is it only being noticed now? It was designed to be an entry-level muscle car, which didn’t appeal to many veteran owners, but we have to appreciate its raw power and classic trim.
Studebaker Golden Hawk
It’s very bold to brand a vehicle ‘golden’, but Studebaker more than pulled it off back in 1956. This early muscle car wasn’t lacking in luxury, with a stylish pillarless build and eye-catching raised hood. It could also still hold its own in a race today.
Mercury Marauder X-100
There’s nothing we love more than a high-performance muscle car variant! And the Mercury Marauder X-100 absolutely fits the bill. It pairs a torquey 429 V8 engine with a 3-speed transmission for effortless speed and handling, plus classic pony car bodywork.
Yenko Camaro
We’re proud to introduce the Yenko Camaro, an extremely underrated sibling of the Chevrolet Camaro, built by the Yenko dealership. It took the iconic Camaro design and added far more power, with a modified 7-liter engine and heavy-duty suspension. It deserved more success at the time.
Mercury Cyclone Spoiler
With a full name like Mercury Cyclone Spoiler 429 Super Cobra Jet, we’re surprised this car didn’t make more of an impact. Until recently, it’s been wholly underrated, despite its bold, muscular design, stand-up grille, and rev-happy engine that could go for miles.
Dodge Super Bee
You may have heard of the Dodge Super Bee because this ‘70s muscle car is back in! The original models featured a unique bumblebee stripe, and the engine certainly buzzed with power, too. The 426 Hemi engine was a particularly fun and aggressive choice.
Plymouth Fury 426 Max Wedge
The 426 Max Wedge is a performance package version of the Plymouth Fury, named after its incredible engine. This car is capable of exceeding 100mph, with dual four-barrel carburetors further exacerbating its performance. It’s still the perfect choice for drag racing.
Oldsmobile 442
We love to see Oldsmobile getting some appreciation, and the ‘70s 442 muscle car is a worthy recipient. It was overlooked in favor of other muscle cars, like the Chevelle, but has since proven itself to be a great real-world choice, performing well on and off the road.
Chrysler 300 Hurst
The Chrysler 300 Hurst is a very rare muscle car that was previously overlooked. However, many collectors are now eager to get their hands on one of the 500 models built because of the car’s luxurious gold-accented styling, insane horsepower, and classic muscular build.
AMC Matador
In Spanish, ‘matador’ means ‘bullfighter’, which explains the strength and power of this AMC muscle car. It’s a great choice for towing, which sets it apart from other muscle cars, but maintains the classic all-American pony car design. We’re glad it’s getting more attention.
Ford Fairlane Thunderbolt
If you thought the Ford Fairlane couldn’t get any more beautiful, think again! The limited-production Thunderbolt model was built for the Super Stock class, with a modified V8 engine designed for drag racing, and distinctive stripped-back bodywork. It’s an absolute cult classic.
GMC Syclone
Contrary to popular belief, not every muscle car has to be a car. The GMC Syclone proved that pickup trucks could be similarly stylish and aggressive, providing excellent V6 power inside a practical vehicle. This unconventional pony car deserves its triumphant comeback.
Pontiac Turbo Trans Am
The Pontiac Turbo Trans Am takes its name from its turbocharged 301 V8 engine, which promises power like you’ve never experienced before. It has a distinctive bulging hood and downsized interior, giving the impression of a racecar cockpit. They’re rare, but we hope to see more Trans Ams around.
Triumph Spitfire
We always appreciate a convertible muscle car because they prove that pony cars can also be light and sporty. The Triumph Spitfire got less attention because it bucked convention, but it offers a fun driving experience that’s perfect for whizzing around the country.
Mercury Cougar XR-7
The Mercury Cougar XR-7 is massive, so we’re pleased to see it finally making a big impression. It’s as powerful as it looks, too, thanks to its classic V8 engine that can handle any driving situation. It’s definitely one of the most attractive (and underrated) Cougars.
Plymouth Sport Fury GT
This is another full-size muscle car that deserves respect for its commitment to the classic build. Yet, despite its size, it isn’t heavy or uncomfortable to drive, and many collectors are learning to love its raw power and sophisticated yet simple design.
Ford Taurus SHO
The Ford Taurus SHO may not look like a muscle car, but don’t let appearances deceive you! It’s a modified, high-performance version of the original Taurus, fitted with a twin-turbocharged V6 engine and excellent wheel bearings for top-notch power and performance.
Oldsmobile Rocket 88
Another hidden gem is the beautiful Oldsmobile Rocket 88. It was likely overlooked for avoiding the traditional muscle car design, but it has the same long hood and powerful V8 engine. Its low-hung chassis and curvy build would win any automotive beauty contest.
Studebaker Lark
If you recognize the Studebaker Lark, that’s because it has made a triumphant comeback in recent years. Not only does it perform very well, but it also has a luxurious finish that anybody would be proud to take out. It’s small but stylish, with a fun open-hood design.
Plymouth Satellite
The Plymouth Satellite is a muscle car that likely suffered from being too solid. It performed well, looked good, and sold for an affordable price, without any ‘special features’ to make it an obvious collector car. We’re glad contemporary collectors are rectifying that now.
Mercury Comet Cyclone
The Mercury Comet Cyclone was phenomenal back in 1965, but if it didn’t get proper attention then, it is now. It encapsulates exactly what a muscle car should be: strong, powerful, and attractive. And it provides a top-tier performance without being full-size.
Dodge Dart GTS
What can’t we say about the Dodge Dart GTS? This classic muscle car truly engages the driver, making it the perfect option for speeding down country roads or cruising along the coast. It’s also sporty and sophisticated, so we understand why modern drivers are loving it.
Chevrolet Impala
The Chevrolet Impala has been underrated for years because it lacks full muscle car aggression, but this refined, muscular sedan is a great vehicle. It retains the distinctive long pony car hood, but updates the car for modern roads, with a stand-out 5-liter V8 engine.
Pontiac Catalina 389
It’s tragic that the Pontiac Catalina 389 has been overlooked for so long because it’s a true beauty. It has the classic rev-happy V8 engine, but keeps it under a gorgeous wide-set hood with a unique grille. The Catalina 389 has been a revelation for many modern collectors.
Buick GSX Stage 1
If any muscle car is underrated, it’s the Buick GSX Stage 1. Its only sin was being built in the ‘70s when many muscle cars were released, but it deserves to be recognized now for its phenomenal performance package. It could run a quarter mile in just under 14 seconds!
AMC Hornet
The AMC Hornet may be a recent collector favorite, but it was overshadowed for a long time. As well as being a true muscle car beauty, the Hornet is also a practical vehicle that anyone could take on. It has many versatile builds, excellent handling, and is extremely reliable.
Ford Mustang Boss 351
You read that right! We’re ending the list with a Mustang, but it’s the very underrated Boss 351. It has an aggressive V8 engine and racing-grade suspension, making it the perfect choice for high-performance driving. It looks like a real diamond in the rough.
