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The Most Iconic Muscle Cars of the 1960s and ’70s

The Most Iconic Muscle Cars of the 1960s and ’70s

Published: November 4, 2024 by Tad Malone

Say what you will about the 1960s and ’70s but they were a great time for cars. Detroit automakers were pumping out increasingly supercharged muscle cars that looked beautiful and had a need for speed. Let’s take a look at the most iconic muscle cars of the era. Some you may recognize, but others remain hidden gems with an iconic reputation well into the modern day. (For a deep dive into motorcycles, learn about the history of Harley-Davidson.)

To compile a list of the most iconic muscle cars of the 1960s and ’70s, 24/7 Tempo consulted automotive publications like Topspeed.com, Motortrend.com, and Supercars.net. We confirmed aspects of the features and price averages of these iconic cars using sites like Classic.com and Roadandtrack.com.

1967 Shelby Cobra 427 Super Snake

'Collide' German Premiere In Cologne

Release Date: Mid-1967
Key Features: 7.0-liter twin-supercharged V-8 engine, 800 HP, 0-60 MPH in 3.6 seconds
Original Cost: $6,000 to $7,500
Current Cost: $1,100,000+

1965 Pontiac GTO

Summernats Exhibition Event At Malaysian Japan GT Super Series

Release Date: September 13, 1964
Key Features: 3-speed manual V8 engine, 335 HP at 5000 RPM, 0-60 MPH in 7.9 seconds
Original Cost: $2,871, – $3,165
Current Cost: Recently sold at auction for $151,250

1968 Dodge Charger R/T

1969 Orange Dodge Charger car with bonnet open

Release Date: Early 1968
Key Features: 3-speed automatic, 7.0-liter V-8, 425 HP, 0-60 MPH in 4.9 seconds
Original Cost: $3,014 – $3,480
Current Cost: Recently sold at auction for $291,500

1968 Plymouth Road Runner HEMI

Oldtimer detail rear view

Release Date: Mid 1968
Key Features: 7.0-liter V-8, 425 HP, 0-60 MPH in 4.9 seconds
Original Cost: $2,900
Current Cost: $77,000 – $170,500

1969 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

Classic American Cars Fetch High Prices At Auction

Release Date: August 1968
Key Features: 7.0-liter V-8, 500 HP, 0-60 MPH in 5.3 seconds
Original Cost: $7,200
Current Cost: $58,300+

1969 Ford Mustang 428 Cobra Jet

Preview Of Cars Going Under The Hammer At The Coys Spring Classics Auction

Release Date: June 19th 1969
Key Features: 7.0-liter V-8, 500 HP, 0-60 MPH in 5.3 seconds
Original Cost: $3,500
Current Cost: $72,600 – $120,000

1970 Dodge Challenger R/T

1970 Trans-Am Championship - Round 2

Release Date: Fall 1969
Key Features: 340 V8 3-speed, 335 HP, 0-60 MPH in 6 seconds
Original Cost: $5,273
Current Cost: Around $88,213

1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS

Sunset and vintage car vintage car

Release Date: September 1969
Key Features: 7.4-liter V-8, 450 HP, 0-60 MPH in 4.8 seconds
Original Cost: $3,000 – $4,000
Current Cost: Average $151,947

1971 Plymouth Hemi Barracuda Convertible

1970s Plymouth Barracuda 340 side panel

Release Date: Late 1970
Key Features: 7.0-liter V-8, 425 HP, 0-60 MPH in 5.4 seconds
Original Cost: Around $4,000
Current Cost: $2.75 Million+

1965 Shelby GT350

Shelby Cobra Coupe Expected To Set Record For US Car Sale During Auction

Release Date: January 27, 1965
Key Features: 4.7-liter V-8, 306 HP, 0-60 MPH in 5.4 seconds
Original Cost: $4,547
Current Cost: $319,000+

1970 Plymouth Hemi Superbird

Detail of classic shining orange car hood

Release Date: October 17, 1969
Key Features: 7.0-liter V-8, 425 HP, 0-60 MPH in 4.8 seconds
Original Cost: Around $4,300
Current Cost: $123,200+

1967 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500

Interclassics Maastricht Car Show 2018

Release Date: Late 1966
Key Features: 7.0-liter V-8, 355 HP, 0-60 MPH in 5.5 seconds
Original Cost: Around $4,200
Current Cost: Around $154,000

1968 Chevrolet Nova SS

automotive backround - muscle car

Release Date: Late 1967
Key Features: 5.7-liter V-8, 375 HP, 0-60 MPH in 5.5 seconds
Original Cost: $2,995
Current Cost: $33,995+

1971 AMC Javelin AMX

1970 Trans-Am Championship - Round 2

Release Date: Late 1970
Key Features: 6.6-liter V-8, 330 HP, 0-60 MPH in 5.1 seconds
Original Cost: Around $2,500
Current Cost: $35,203+

(For more great innovations from the same era, discover the most successful inventions of the 1960s.)

1971 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am

Pontiac Firebird in sunset in Dalarna

Release Date: Fall 1970
Key Features: 7.4-liter V-8, 335 HP, 0-60 MPH in 5.4 seconds
Original Cost: $4594
Current Cost: $41,700+

1967 Chevrolet Corvette L88 427

Bruce Lietzke And His Cars

Release Date: Late 1966
Key Features: 7.0-liter V-8, 430 HP, 0-60 MPH in 4.2 seconds
Original Cost: Around $5,700
Current Cost: Recently sold at auction for $2,695,000

1969 Ford Mustang BOSS 429

Classic American Cars Fetch High Prices At Auction

Release Date: Late 1968
Key Features: 7.0-liter V-8, 375 HP, 0-60 MPH in 5.3 seconds
Original Cost: $4,087
Current Cost: $247,500+

1970 Buick GSX Stage 1

Blue Buick Front Bumper and Light

Release Date: April 20, 1970
Key Features: 7.4-liter V-8, 360 HP, 0-60 MPH in 5.1 seconds
Original Cost: Around $4,579
Current Cost: Around $136,745

1969 Pontiac GTO

1969 Pontiac GTO Car Hood and Hood Scoops

Release Date: January 1969
Key Features: 6.6-liter V-8, 366 HP, 0-60 MPH in 4.9 seconds
Original Cost: $3,643.79
Current Cost: $65,617+

1970 AMC Rebel Machine

Classic muscle cars on display at summer vintage automobile meet.

Release Date: September 3, 1969
Key Features: 6.4-liter V-8, 340 HP, 0-60 MPH in 6.4 seconds
Original Cost: $3,450
Current Cost: $56,700+

(For other ’60s info, discover 14 musical acts from the 1960s that are still touring.)