CNN reports Top 10 Muscle Car Stars
CNN Money has published a list of the "Top 10 Muscle Car Stars" as compiled by Kelley Blue Book. Some of the picks are obvious, such as the Hemi 'Cuda convertible, GTO Judge convertible, and the venerable Plymouth Superbird. More of a surprise is the presence of the Ford Torino Talladega, which is labeled as an up-and-comer in the muscle car marketplace. With values currently in the $30,000 range, the Torino is still attainable by those who don't have six-figure budgets to work with.
Also, despite lists like this one, it's always good to remember that one doesn't need a paddle at Barrett-Jackson to get into the game. Local newspapers and weeklies are always a great place to start. Sure, you may not find a concours-level, numbers-matching, rare-engined stunner, but you can find great bargains that are as much or more fun to work on and to drive.
All that said, here's the top 10 list as reported by CNN:
- 1971 Plymouth Hemi Cuda convertible - $2,000,000
- 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS-454/LS-6 convertible - $369,000
- 1969 Pontiac GTO "Judge" convertible - $205,200
- 1964 Shelby Cobra 289 Roadster - $329,100
- 1969 Dodge Charger R/T-440 hardtop - $170,000
- 1968 Shelby GT-500-KR convertible - $191,000
- 1969 Chevrolet Camaro Z-28/SS coupe - $91,700
- 1970 Oldsmobile 442/W-30 hardtop -$85,960
- 1970 Plymouth Superbird-440 hardtop - $107,500
- 1969 Ford Torino-Talladega hardtop - $37,100
Agree? Disagree? Let's hear what your favorites are in the comments section.
Photo: Alex Nunez
[Source: CNN Money]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Hung2 5:05PM (6/21/2006)
I would have included the 68/69 Plymouth RoadRunner too!
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Bill 5:11PM (6/21/2006)
I'm not a muscle car fanatic, and I know it's not as "valuable", but I've always admired early AMC AMX's.
I guess I tend to root for underdogs, and that was a nice looking little car, and I admire that the company made the best of their limited resources and came up with it. Not too heavy, not outrageously styled.
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Dave T. 5:19PM (6/21/2006)
After this year's BJ auction I don't think there were many numbers matching muscle cars there either!!!
And they still went for big bucks. It was actually pretty disgusting. I would start moving to the late 70s trans ams and camaros. Youdon't want to be on what's over exposed.
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CL2 5:26PM (6/21/2006)
Would have thought that the 1968 Mustang 428 Cobra Jet would have been up there. I think the undisputed muscle car would be one of the five 1966 Cobra Daytona Coupes.
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PJ 5:32PM (6/21/2006)
I'm not much of a muscle car guy either, but I think the '69 Camaro Z-28 and '69 Charger 440 are two of the most beautiful automobiles ever made.
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TheMatt 5:43PM (6/21/2006)
I think it's missing the '0x Pontiac Aztek. Oh, and the Delorean, cause it's a time machine.
Actually, I'm surprised to not see the Boss Mustang here, but that could be because I had a friend with a serious Boss 429 fetish. So I always look for that.
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Robert 6:26PM (6/21/2006)
I think that this list is missing some cars and the some need to be moved up on the list:
1965 Shelby Cobra 289 Daytona Coupe: $3,500,000 - $7,560,000
1965 Shelby Cobra 427 Cobra 427 S/C: $425,000 - $890,000
1969 Ford Mustang Boss 429: $174,075
The Boss and the Cobra 427 need to be added and the 289 needs to be moved up to #1.
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Ryan 6:55PM (6/21/2006)
"1970 Oldsmobile 442/W-30 hardtop -$85,960"
mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
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Mark P 7:56PM (6/21/2006)
Why is the Chevelle on the list the uber-rare 454 LS-6 convertible, but the Camaro is a simple Z28-SS, and not something like the Yenko?
The list makes strange flips between rare and just plain desirable cars and could easily be 40-50 items long if moderate availability, high desirability, and price ranges similar to these are their qualifications.
Somehow, I just don't trust CNN on cars.
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skaz 8:16PM (6/21/2006)
The list was about cars that have swollen in price the most in the last 5 years. That's all.
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Mark P 8:36PM (6/21/2006)
By that criteria, the list is even more suspect, as many of these haven't gone up that much more than pacing inflation in the last 5 years.
I stand by not trusting CNN on cars. It's like Fox news putting out a story on journalism.
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bernie 8:57PM (6/21/2006)
Wow - a Torino, but no Boss 302, Mach 1, Chevelle 396/375 (ran circles around the 454).
LAME
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alex 7:08AM (6/22/2006)
I feel like a dumb ass. Years ago I co-owned a '71 SS454 LS6 convertible 4 speed with a friend. we fooled around with it, sold it and bought a '70 Boss 429. Sold it around 1980 for $9 K.
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Paul 7:48AM (6/22/2006)
I hate how much they are going for... its just because of these rich dudes that dont want to put the work in to restoring one themselves driving up the prices, even on parts, for everyone else.
Its too bad, I will probably never get to own my dream car (69 Camaro z28).
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mickster 9:14AM (6/22/2006)
1967 Plymouth GTX with a Hemi!
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patrick 12:01PM (6/22/2006)
$170k for a 440 charger? insane. a hemi I could see.
missing: '69 SC/rambler, '62 or so 409 impala, buick GS455 stage II, '68 hemi darts and barracudas (super stock cars), '62-64 max wedge dodges and plymouths, '65 altered wheelbase coronet & belvedere.
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