1969 Chevrolet Nova SS 396Flashy and loud rivals overshadowed the Nova, but it’s coming back with a bang. Its power-to-weight ratio really outshines its unassuming looks, and there’s only 3000 on the market today.1970 AMC Javelin SSTBetween the limited 26,866 SST production numbers and the 390Cci V8 engine capable of generating 325 horsepower, the SST will keep ‘em coming back for more! Collectors are only just starting to realize how great it is.1969 Mercury Cougar EliminatorThe Mustang initially overshadowed the Eliminator, but now it has the spotlight! It came with a 428 Cobra-Jet V8 engine and there were just 2,250 units rolled out, so snagging one will benefit you in the future.1973 Oldsmobile Cutlass 442Caught in a transitional period when the muscle car era was flagging and tighter restrictions imposed, the Cutlass 442 was passed by a lot, but nevertheless had a respectable 455 V8 engine option and great potential for modifying. The 442 is a particularly rare model.1980 Ford Mustang Cobra TurboArriving at a time when the muscle car era was ending, the Mustang Cobra’s turbocharged 4-cylinder engine wasn’t anything to write home about - until performance modifying took hold. Now 1980 models are getting rarer and this car’s value trajectory is looking steep.1972 Plymouth Satellite Sebring PlusThe Satellite Sebring Plus looks like a sibling to the Road Runner style-wise and it comes with some decent V8 engine options. It’s not as well known as some muscle cars though, so it’s more affordable… for now. That’s likely to change in the near future.1972 Buick GSX 455Hardly anyone even knew about the GSX 455 until relatively recently, because there were only 4 units ever produced. It’s as rare as hen’s teeth, underrated, and incredibly valuable; its Stage 1 455 V8 engine was an absolute beast on the road too.1969 Pontiac Firebird ConvertibleWhen the Firebird Convertible came onto the scene, it was overshadowed by louder models. It didn’t even have the popular Trans Am! It’s a gorgeous design though and had underappreciated power, and collectors are starting to scrabble over the 8 units left to1970 Dodge Challenger Convertible R/TThe Challenger Convertible R/T debuted in a time when convertibles were passed by for the meaner-looking muscle cars, overlooking its potent 426 HEMI V8 engine. Since there were only 9 models with that engine ever produced, you can bet people have started taking notice now.1969 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 396Chevrolet Chevelle SS were common models - they were affordable and powerful, so they were everywhere - but the L89 aluminum-head version had just 323 units! The model’s commonality led to the rarer versions being a hidden gem, which have since gained value traction.1969 AMC AMX/3A mid-engine, rubber-burning monster, the AMX/3 was an Italian collaboration, but it was so expensive to create that AMC cancelled its production after only a handful of units were produced - most estimates predict 6, but it’s definitely less than ten. AMX/3s are so rare that few people knew they existed, and now they do? Let the hunt begin!1970 Ford Torino CobraThe Cobra should have come in hot and struck at the muscle car market quickly, but it was overshadowed by the showpony that was Mustang. Now time’s trotted on, the Cobra’s potent 429 cubic inch V8 engine and aggressive style have slithered into collector’s hearts, while limited production numbers help shed past oversights.1968 Shelby GT500KRAlthough the GT500KR was a powerful muscle car, it wasn’t the most powerful; it also had to compete with its brother, the 1967 GT500, and could never outrace its enormous shadow. Things are different now, and fans are beginning to give it the attention it deserves.1971 Plymouth Hemi ‘Cuda ConvertibleIn a time when muscle car insurance and fuel prices were high, gas-guzzling beasts like ‘Cudas were on the decline - in fact, many considered it too mean for the streets. Now? Only 11 convertibles were made, and their value looks set to climb through the roof.1970 Oldsmobile 442 W-30Oldsmobile 442s are the silver fox of the muscle car era and have aged like fine wine - they’re much more desirable now, especially if they have the original transmission and engine. The W-30 in particular has appreciated since it was an optional extra, and a rare find these days.1969 Dodge Super Bee 440 Six PackThe Super Bee’s scary-high performance made people back off like they were faced with a deadly hornet. That must have stung, but the appeal of a 440 Six Pack engine that’s almost as powerful as a vaunted HEMI has made it a rising star.1970 Dodge Charger R/TWhen it came out, the Charger R/T had similar stylings to its predecessors, and drivers wanted something new, especially for its high price tag. However, since its use in the Fast and the Furious movies - and its capacity for modern-tech upgraded, vintage-shelled restomods - the Charger’s pushed its way into the limelight.1969 Ford Fairlane Cobra 428The Cobra 428 didn’t look like anything special but it was designed for power over presentation. The Mustang Mach 1 overshadowed it, but the unassuming Cobra has become a real sleeper hit produced in limited numbers - hence its value climb.1971 Dodge Challenger 426 HemiThe 426 HEMI challenger was ahead of its time in terms of design and felt too hot to handle for ’70s drivers. It's these very qualities that have made it popular now (the fact that only 71 units were made doesn’t hurt, either).1969 Dodge Dart GTS 440The GTS 440’s small stature meant it was overlooked as a serious muscle car, despite its massive 440 Magnum V8 engine barely crammed into its bay. It made the handling twitchy and not many models survived to this day. Quirky and rare? Ka-ching!1970 Pontiac GTO Judge (Ram Air IV)The GTO Judge was too rowdy for its day and the drivers who were interested opted out of the costly Ram Air IV package. Collectors these days see it as powerful, rare and eye-catching - a winning combination value-wise.1969 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1A massive price tag and lack of marketing led to only 69 Camaro ZL1 units being made. Its barely street-legal all-aluminum 427 engine also turned many people off, but this quality is now seen as a treasure in the eyes of enthusiasts.1971 Ford Mustang Mach 1 429 Super Cobra JetWhile its full name could barely fit on sales ads, the Mach 1 was a true monster - if only people picked the drag pack options, which few did. Its larger, meaner frame also deterred car lovers of the time. This era’s enthusiasts are another story.1969 Chevrolet Corvette L88The L88 was an apex road predator, barely street-legal and bereft of comfort. Its raw horsepower made drivers opt for tamer versions, and a mere 116 were made in 1969, so it is vastly collectable these days.1973 Pontiac Grand Am 455Because the Grand Am had a confusing design and little brand recognition, the market didn’t know what to make of it! It had a brute of a 455 V8 engine though, and strange hybrids are appreciated by today’s collectors.1971 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454New emissions restrictions and the shadow of the legendary 1970 Chevelle haunted the SS 454 leading to its unwarranted dismissal. Since fewer were sold than its iconic 1970s counterpart though, the SS 454’s started to outshine its predecessor!1970 Mercury Cougar XR7 428 Cobra JetCougar was an underestimated brand, and the Cobra Jet was seen as less aggressive than its rivals, but it was actually a sleeper hit - and modern enthusiasts are waking up to the truth.1969 Shelby Mustang GT350Many felt Ford’s influence made the slimmer GT350 more corporate than previous models in its day; however, the Shelby badge is a modern selling point, as is the fact a scant 1000 models that made it out the factory.1970 Chrysler 300 HurstThe Chrysler Hurst’s massive size confused many, and only 500 were made, so its existence wasn’t even widely known. The Hurst/Chrysler collab does appeal to enthusiasts now though, and its swagger has never been more popular.1970 Plymouth Road Runner 426 HemiHigh costs, insurance and maintenance all convinced buyers to skip the HEMI Road Runner, but despite its gimmicky name it was all muscle! Only 74 models were built in 1970, so now people are running away with them. Meep meep!1970 AMC Rebel MachineAMC didn’t last very long and the Rebel Machine was only around for a year! Many people missed it, but it’s rare, unique and interesting - not to mention it can shift!1972 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am 455 HOThe 1971 Firebird had a power drop and drivers wrongly expected the same from the ’72 version. It was a strong performer though, and Pontiac only ever released a limited number of them - just 1286 Firebird Trans Ams with the 455 HO engine ever made it to the road. No wonder second-generation interest in Trans Ams are rising!1967 Mercury Cougar GT-EMany dismissed the Cougar in favor of pure performers like the Mustang, so they missed out on the limited edition GT-E package. It was a sleeper hit though, combining smooth performance with power, and its uniqueness is standing out to modern collectors.