When you think of ‘60s muscle cars, chances are pretty good that you imagine smoky burnouts, drag strips, and weekend car shows— not morning commutes or grocery store runs. After all, many classic car owners keep their vehicles hidden away during the week, only driving them in nice weather or for select outings like competitions and meetups. Whether it’s because of their antiquated technology, associated value, or maintenance requirements, many old-school muscle cars don’t get nearly as much road time as they deserve.After all, when these cars were new, they weren’t classic or collectible (even if they were expensive in some cases), so they were driven often, and sometimes even daily. With sturdy frames, simple mechanical systems, and boat loads of low-end torque, muscle cars from the 1960s are still capable of serving as reliable transportation. As long as you’re handy with a wrench, and you know what you’re getting yourself into, even a classic can be daily driver material. Read on to see what we feel makes a good daily, and which 60s muscle cars we consider to be some of the best options.How we made our selection: HotCars only considered muscle cars produced during the 1960s, and specifically those that were produced in larger volumes with a variety of engine options. With some of our staffers having spent some time daily driving old muscle cars themselves, we're firmly of the belief that the best classics for commuting are cheap and relatively simple to maintain. We've included general specifications for each model, as the reliability of any drivetrain is ultimately dependent on ownership habits. Any vehicle can be made a daily driver with enough determination, so we looked at it through the lens of someone looking to get their feet wet with their first classic. 1968 Mercury Cougar 1968 Mercury Cougar GT-E 7 1968 Mercury Cougar Specs MercuryIf you like the idea of a Mustang as a daily driver, but you want something a little less common, the Mercury Cougar should do just the ticket. The Blue Oval repurposed much of the pony car for this upscale Mercury alternative, meaning that it shares a lot of its mechanical underpinnings and parts support is therefore pretty solid. With some of the added complexities (like the hideaway headlights), there is, of course, more potential for failure. However, the upscale interior features and trim upgrades are sure to add a little something to the driving experience— especially considering some of the spartan cabins you'll find in base model Mustangs. 1968 Mercury Cougar Past Sales Classic.com Low: $6,500 Classic.com Average: $39,217 Classic.com high: $165,000 1969 Dodge Dart Via: Mecum Auctions 1969 Dodge Dart Specs DodgeBack in the day, the Dodge Dart offered a more economical alternative to the likes of high-performance Mopars such as the Charger and the 'Cuda, and this remains true even now. Even in an exciting GTS or Swinger 340-spec, you can easily get the Chrysler B body for some $20,000 to $30,000, making them attainable classics that you don't need to be afraid to street. If you're looking to minimize your problems, be sure to go for one equipped with a slant six, as the engine is highly regarded for its durability and reliability. However, if you're after performance, even the 340 and 383 V8s can be dependable workhorses, assuming the prior owner kept up with maintenance. 1969 Dodge Dart Past Sales Classic.com Low: $10,500 Classic.com Average: $43,560 Classic.com high: $102,300 1968 Pontiac GTO Mecum Auctions 1968 Pontiac GTO Specs PontiacAs the prototypical muscle car, the GTO had to feature on this list— Pontiac got the formula right before anyone else in the industry found their footing. In any case, we'd recommend one of the later 1960s models because they came during the peak of Pontiac production. If you're just getting into the game, this not only means that they're more affordable than earlier years, but also that their parts are far easier to source. While performance variants like the GTO Judge can be tempting on account of their bright paint and exciting engine options, they're rare (and thus expensive) vehicles to be doing daily duty. 1968 Pontiac GTO Past Sales Classic.com Low: $16,000 Classic.com Average: $46,897 Classic.com high: $253,000 1968 Chevrolet Chevelle Mecum 1968 Chevrolet Chevelle Specs ChevroletIf you're looking at making a Chevrolet Chevelle a daily driver, we'd recommend steering clear of the 454-powered cars (or getting good insurance), as the rarest LS6 examples command six-figure sums at auction. Assuming you still want big block thrills, the 396 SS models offer respectable power at a much more affordable price. Alternatively, the inline-sixes and small block V8s will get you better fuel economy, but don't expect the same kind of muscle car performance that the Chevelle is known for. It's a larger option than the likes of the Camaro and the Mustang, so you'll want the extra power if you're planning on doing hard pulls. There's always the possibility of an engine swap if you really want to spice things up. 1968 Chevrolet Chevelle Past Sales Classic.com Low: $15,500 Classic.com Average: $50,835 Classic.com high: $374,000 1969 Plymouth Barracuda Mecum 1969 Plymouth Barracuda Specs PlymouthWhile Plymouth's legendary Hemi 'Cuda is priced well outside the realms of what most muscle car enthusiasts can afford, earlier Barracudas with milder engines can be had for a good deal less. In fact, first and second-generation Plymouth Barracudamodels are comparative bargains, boasting unique styling and tempting engine options. As with the Dart, a Slant Six will serve you best from a reliability standpoint, but the 318 and 340 can offer more performance-wise. 1969 Plymouth Barracuda Past Sales Classic.com Low: $15,400 Classic.com Average: $52,624 Classic.com high: $132,000 1969 Chevrolet Nova Mecum Auctions 1969 Chevrolet Nova Specs As the everyman's muscle car of the Chevy lineup, the Nova boasts all the hallmarks of an ideal classic daily driver in that it's common, cheap, and simple. With more performance-oriented variants like the SS, the compact was transformed into an affordable alternative to the likes of the Camaro and the Chevelle. Though you can't go wrong with a Chevy 350 under the hood of one of these pint-sized screamers, the Nova also makes for great restomod material. Keep it mild and make it wild with something like an LS swap and you're well on your way to blazing quarter-mile times. 1969 Chevrolet Nova Past Sales Classic.com Low: $18,750 Classic.com Average: $59,591 Classic.com high: $110,000 1968 Chevrolet Camaro Mecum 1968 Chevrolet Camaro Specs ChevroletChevrolet launched the first-gen Camaro as an answer to the Mustang, so many of the things that make the Blue Oval’s pony car an excellent daily driver are also applicable here. With sharp looks and a wide range of engine options— from economical inline-sixes to roaring V8s —it struck an ideal balance between everyday usability and weekend driving pleasure. The Chevy small block is widely known for its reliability, so you can go for a dependable cruiser and still get something that offers respectable performance, stoplight to stoplight. 1968 Chevrolet Camaro Past Sales Classic.com Low: $13,500 Classic.com Average: $62,925 Classic.com high: $583,000 1967 Ford Mustang Bring A Trailer 1967 Ford Mustang Specs FordIf you're looking for a classic muscle car that's generally dependable, easy to work on, and fairly cheap to maintain, it's hard to go wrong with a first-generation Mustang. Ford sold hundreds of thousands of these in the first few years of production, so parts are plentiful and most shops are familiar enough with the cars to service them. The 289-powered models were among some of the most reliable small block muscle cars produced during the 1960s, so if you want something practical for everyday driving, it's best to go with something milder in tune. I've dailyed my 1967 C-code in Southern California for the better part of the last four years, and it's been a trusty companion. 1967 Ford Mustang Past Sales Classic.com Low: $7,000 Classic.com Average: $67,501 Classic.com high: $517,000