Everyone thinks of a Mustang or Challenger when it comes to classic muscle cars, but there are some under-the-radar muscle cars worth investing in.
Some of the most iconic vehicles ever manufactured fall into the muscle car category. The Ford Mustang needs no introduction, the Dodge Charger is a worthy rival, and the Chevrolet Chevelle is yet another icon. Muscle cars look strong, and have the power to back those looks up.
Under the hood, you’ll often find a V8 large enough to pull a truck purring away. It’s not just power and looks that make muscle cars stand out, they’ve made an impact on the big screen too. „The Dukes of Hazzard,“ „Starsky and Hutch,“ „The Bandit,“ „Frank Bullitt,“ and „Jack Reacher“ have all spent time behind the wheel of a muscle car.
Not all muscle cars get the same level of exposure. Some incredibly beautiful, powerful vehicles have flown completely under the radar. This is both a tragedy and an opportunity, as these underrated beasts can often be a cheap way to get a muscle car on your driveway. Here are five classic muscle cars that deserve a lot more love than they currently get.Oldsmobile Cutlass 442
The Oldsmobile division of General Motors is long gone, so you aren’t going to get an electric successor to the 442 like we’ve seen with the Mustang, and are about to see with the Dodge Charger and Challenger. There’s also the fact that the 442 doesn’t have the same iconic status as Ford and Dodge’s flagship muscle cars — which can hinder the chances of a revival.
That is a real shame, as the Oldsmobile Cutlass 442 has all of the ingredients a truly iconic muscle car needs. The name is derived from the vehicle’s components: In its original configuration, the carburetor had four barrels, the transmission had four gears, and the exhaust gases escaped through a dual exhaust system.
All of this went out of the window, along with everything else that made the 442 cool, in the 1990s. The vehicle then died a slow, sad death that probably tarnished a few people’s memories of it. Early examples had everything that made a 1960s muscle car great, and at its peak, it was being pulled around by a 400-cubic-inch V8.
You can find a classic 442 in great condition for as little as $20,000 — which is around what some rusted-out shells of certain former Mustangs cost. In short, the 442 is a great choice if you’re looking for an affordable, entry-level classic muscle car.Mercury Cyclone Spoiler
If you’re looking for something truly unique, consider the Mercury Cyclone Spoiler.
