The average new-home sale price in the U.S. has hovered near $500,000 in recent months, which is a massive jump compared to a decade ago. To us mortals of meager means, these figures sound crazy or even unfathomable, but even crazier is the fact that car collectors are paying similar figures or even much higher to buy 50-year-old muscle cars from the '70s.The '70s often get a bad rap, mainly because the decade marked the introduction of stricter emission and safety policies that saw American car power figures plummet, resulting in some of the worst muscle cars ever. However, the decade still produced some muscle car gems, particularly in the early years, and collectors are willing to drop huge figures to acquire the rarest, most powerful, and most historically significant models. We've assembled a list of '70s muscle cars that cost more than a house in America, including some that can buy you an apartment in Manhattan while leaving some change for a holiday home in Hawaii. 1973 Pontiac Trans Am Super Duty Price: $286,000 Via Mecum AuctionsThe "cheapest" car on our list is the 1973 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am Super Duty, and it's probably only good for a decent home in a small town, but it holds a special place in muscle car history. The '73 Trans Am Super Duty was Pontiac's swan song for the muscle car golden era, as it's widely considered to be the last model to offer genuine muscle before emission regulations killed American horsepower figures.Via Mecum Auctions 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T Convertible Price: $291,500 Via Mecum AuctionsThe Dodge Challenger arrived late to the pony car market when it debuted in 1970, but it immediately spawned versions that aged better than many rivals that had been around since the dawn of the golden era. The high-performance R/T trim is the instant classic we're talking about, as it offers a perfect mix of Coke bottle elegance and pure muscle under the long hood. Via Mecum Auctions A 1970 Challenger R/T convertible sold for just under $300,000 at Mecum Monterey 2023, making it one of the priciest Dodge models ever. This Plum Crazy unit is special because it's one of just 963 convertible Challenger R/Ts built in 1970 and one of just 61 units equipped with the 440 "six-pack." While the Hemi-powered versions are far rarer, more powerful, and more expensive, the 440 six-pack is widely considered to be the better street engine. 1977 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am Special Edition Price: $550,000 Via: Mecum AuctionsThe first car that costs more than the national house price average is the 1977 Firebird Trans Am Special Edition, and what a sweet ride it was. Arriving in the late '70s when muscle cars had mostly lost their identity, the 1977 Trans Am SE was a bright spark during one of the muscle car industry's darkest moments, having gained a cult following after its iconic role in Burt Reynolds' 1977 hit film Smokey And The Bandit. Mecum AuctionsThe Bandit, as it's called, didn't have much power to work with, but its design, signature black paint job with gold accents, and iconic "Screaming Chicken" logo have made it an unmistakable legend that collectors adore. With around 15,000 Special Edition Trans Ams built in 1977, it's not particularly rare, but prices for original, well-kept units with proper documentation can get crazy. One of the most expensive Bandits ever sold went for a whopping $550,000 at Barrett-Jackson (2016), but this was an original movie promo car with a certificate from Universal and a plaque from General Motors. Well-maintained cars without direct ties to the film can also cost a pretty penny, such as one near-perfect unit with just 14 miles on the odometer that sold for $440,000 at Mecum Harrisburg 2022. 1970 Ford Mustang Boss 429 Fastback Price: $627,000 Via Mecum AuctionsTired of being obliterated by Hemi-powered Mopars in NASCAR, Ford developed the Boss 429 engine, dropping it into 1969 and 1970 Ford Mustangs to meet homologation requirements. The Boss 429 engine powered the dominant Torino Talladega to a dominant first half of the 1969 NASCAR season and effectively ended the "Hemi streak", prompting Chrysler to respond with the winged warriors. Only 499 Mustangs got the Boss 429 engine in 1970, and collectors pay big bucks for their rarity and racing pedigree. Via Mecum Auctions A 1970 Boss 429 sold for $627,000 at Mecum Indy 2025, a high price even for the rare icon. Described by Mecum as "The Ultimate and Most Sought-After Boss 429 color combination", this Boss is apparently one of only 13 units that left the factory with a Calypso Coral paint job and a white knitted-vinyl bucket seat interior, and is one of five known to exist today. On top of that, this particular unit had its matching numbers engine and transmission, and was treated to a no-expense-spared rotisserie restoration that put it back to near-showroom condition. 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454 LS6 Convertible Price: $660,000 Via Mecum AuctionsThe Chevelle SS 454 LS6 is a holy grail muscle car for many collectors because it had the highest factory power ratings of the era (450 hp and 500 lb-ft) and was the only Chevy that could run with Hemi-equipped Mopars or even beat them in some cases, covering the quarter mile in the low 13-second range. Chevy reportedly built 4,475 Chevelle SS 454 LS6 units in 1970, which means that there are plenty of options for aspiring collectors. However, while the coupes are enough to satisfy the collector market, the rare convertibles (believed to be about 20 to 100 units) are blue chip . Via Mecum Auctions One of these convertibles sold for $660,000 at Mecum Indy 2024, a fitting price for such a cool car. This particular unit wore a Classic White paint color with black stripes, and had been given a meticulous frame-off concours restoration to make it look brand new. Apart from the engine, the convertible had other desirable period-correct features, including a Muncie M22 four-speed manual, F41 suspension, power brakes with front discs, power steering, and the unforgettable cowl induction hood. 1970 Pontiac GTO Judge Ram Air IV Convertible Price: $1,100,000 Via Mecum AuctionsPontiac introduced "The Judge" in 1969 to boost GTO sales, targeting it at youths who wanted spectacular styling, a powerful engine lineup, colorful paint options, and the scoops and spoilers needed to project their performance intentions. In 1970, the GTO Judge had three engine options — a 400 ci Ram Air III engine, a 400 ci Ram Air IV, and a 455 ci HO V8, which was introduced mid-year. While the 455 produced a massive 500 lb-ft of torque, collectors prefer the 400 Ram Air IV since it represents the pinnacle of Pontiac's performance engineering in the '60s. Via Mecum Auctions With only 17 Ram Air IV-powered convertibles built in 1970, it's no surprise that one sold for just over $1 million at Mecum Kissimmee 2023. This Orbit Orange example was one of just seven 1970 GTO Judge Ram Air IV Convertibles equipped with an automatic transmission and had been given a rotisserie restoration that allowed it to win a treasure trove of awards, including the POCI Senior Gold in 2000. 1970 Plymouth Superbird Hemi Price: $1,650,000 MecumThe Plymouth Superbird picked up right where its corporate cousin, the Dodge Charger Daytona, left off. It was one of the headline 'Aero Wars' cars of 1970, fast enough that NASCAR rule changes soon followed. Like the Daytona, the Superbird's secret to success was its powerful Hemi engine and aerodynamic enhancements like a nose cone and towering rear wing. In line with NASCAR homologation requirements, Plymouth built 1,920 to 1,935 road-legal 1970 Superbirds, and of those, only 135 were equipped with the Hemi. Mecum Hemi-powered Superbirds are insanely expensive as they combine Hemi power with the Superbird's racing pedigree, creating a package that collectors can't resist. Add a concours-level restoration to the mix, and it's easy to see why one Tor Red Hemi Bird sold for $1.65 million at Barrett-Jackson's Las Vegas 2022 auction. 1971 Plymouth Hemi 'Cuda Convertible Price: $3,850,000 Via Mecum AuctionsArriving in 1970 and disappearing after the 1971 model year, the Plymouth Hemi 'Cuda marked the peak of the muscle car golden era, combining aggressive pony car looks, high-impact colors, racing pedigree, and a brutal Hemi V8.Hemi 'Cudas redefined what "fast" meant, and only a few special muscle cars could keep up. Unfortunately, its immense speed contributed to increased government regulation and ballooning insurance rates, and only about 108 'Cuda coupes and 7 convertibles left the factory with a Hemi in 1971. Via Mecum Auctions The Hemi 'Cuda made history in 2002 when it reportedly became the first muscle car (or pony car) to sell for over one million dollars, but that figure pales in comparison to the $3.85 million someone paid for one of the rare 1971 convertibles at Mecum Seattle 2014. Finished in a Blue paint job with a matching interior, this particular example is the only one known to retain its original drivetrain and sheet metal, and is one of just two examples sold in the U.S. with a four-speed manual and Hurst Pistol Grip shifter. It really is the crown jewel of muscle cars.Sources: Mecum Auctions, Barrett-Jackson