11 Budget-Friendly Cars From The Golden Era Of American Muscle

Back before Craigslist and The Paper Shop ads were replaced by Facebook Marketplace, life was a bit simpler. Muscle cars were much more obtainable, and you could easily find one for next to nothing. In fact, my first car was very nearly a 1974 Chevy Nova with a small block V8 and manual transmission for just $2,500.

This had us wondering what sort of budget-friendly, vintage muscle cars from the golden era can be had today? We’re not talking Concourse-winning examples, but solid drivers that can provide that powerful, nostalgic, and patriotic experience without draining the bank account. As for the model years associated with the “golden era,” well, we’ve decided to loosely define it as the mid-1960s to mid-1970s. Sticklers be warned.

We should also clarify our passive commitment to the strict definition of a muscle car. Most internet-browsing car enthusiasts will say that a muscle car is technically a regular-sized family car with an oversized engine, but we may have blurred the lines a bit. After all, the title states “budget-friendly cars from the golden era of American muscle,” not “budget-friendly muscle cars.” In any case, here’s what we came up with.

Yes, the one that got away. Although it might not have been an ideal first car, the Chevy Nova is an excellent choice for those who are in the market for a muscle car but don’t want to break the bank. Recent transaction data shows that modified examples with a small block and three pedals can be had for less than $25,000. Admittedly, this still isn’t exactly cheap, but it’s certainly more palatable than the average transaction price of a Chevelle from the same time period.

Of course, traditional two-door Novas tend to command a premium compared to the less muscular sedans, as do models equipped with V8 engines and manual transmission versus those with I6s and automatics. According to Hagerty’s valuation tool, a base 1972 Nova coupe is worth around $19,000 on average, while a sedan is worth significantly less at $11,000. Our Facebook Marketplace hunt yielded a few hits in the sub-$10,000 range that looked pretty decent. 

If you’re after something super affordable, then you might want to consider the aforementioned sedan; we saw a running and driving 1970 sedan for less than $5,000. Pushing the boundaries of the applicable model years will also yield some savings.

You could also look for other X-body models offered by other GM car brands toward the end of this time period, namely the Oldsmobile Omega, Pontiac Ventura, and Buick Apollo. However, it’s worth noting that listings for these other models are few and far between, though they do tend to be priced lower than their Chevy-branded counterparts. It’s also worth noting that these came into existence in ’73, which many consider to be after the golden era of American muscle.

Among laypersons, the Buick Skylark isn’t mentioned as frequently as other muscle cars of this vintage, but it certainly deserves the recognition. It blends old-school luxury and muscle, and can be had without traumatizing your wallet. As with most cars of this ilk, prices vary quite a bit.

In this case, we’re referring to the second-generation models, which were built for the 1968 through 1972 model years. Book values can be a bit high for certain models built during this timeframe, but others are below the $10,000 mark. Convertibles tend to have higher values. 

Notably, the Skylark is much more affordable than Chevrolet Chevelle, Pontiac GTO, and Oldsmobile 442 models of the same vintage. If you’re unfamiliar, all four models utilized GM’s A-body platform. Fans of the not-so-budget-friendly Oldsmobile 442 could instead pursue a Cutlass, which the 442 was based on. The same goes for the Pontiac LeMans, which is the base version of the GTO. 

Out of the A-body vehicles from the original model year range requirement, we had an easier time finding higher-qualifying Skylarks, which is why it earned a spot on the list while the Cutlass and LeMans did not. Chevelles certainly had the highest supply; however, prices for viable options were typically the highest out of the bunch. 

For reference, muscular Skylarks are readily available and can even be found on popular sites that don’t typically specialize in classic cars. Recent auction transactions show the sale of a 1969 Skylark Custom convertible with a 455 big block V8 for $13,500. If you’re looking to spend even less, we also came across running examples for as low as $5,000.

The Ford Gran Torino was always a cool muscle car, though its status was certainly boosted by the efforts of Starsky and Hutch (a 1976 model) as well as Clint Eastwood (a 1972 model). That’s at least what sparked my interest in the nameplate, a desire that was further instilled by my father’s stories of driving a modified one back in the day. 

Sentiments aside, the Gran Torino is an excellent choice for frugal shoppers who are beholden to models from the golden era. Book values and recent auction data confirm this, and there was also no shortage of hits when we surfed the web for attractive listings, including a 1969 GT model equipped with a 390 V8 and four-speed manual transmission listed at $18,500 or best offer.

Alternatives to the Gran Torino nameplate include the Ford Fairlane and Mercury Cyclone, which shared the same platform and offered similar mechanical bits. 

Mopar aficionados can get their golden era muscle car fix courtesy of affordably priced Dodge Darts and Plymouth Dusters. Book values vary quite a bit depending on the body configuration as well as which engine is under the hood. As with every single car on this list, units equipped with manual transmissions go for more money. 

If you’re fine with an automatic as long as it’s mated to a big, burly V8 and under the hood of a cleaner specimen, you can surely keep the price under $20,000. However, you’ll likely be working with Dusters built closer to the mid-1970s rather than the late ’60s and early ’70s. Darts, on the other hand, are more readily available, and you have a much better chance of finding one that more closely suits what you’re looking for. For instance, we found one with a 340 V8 and four-speed manual with a smorgasbord of new parts for less than $15,000. 

A second-generation Chevrolet Camaro (or Pontiac Firebird) is a decent compromise for someone who’s lusting after a first-gen model but can’t part ways with that much cash. Although certain specimens will fetch nearly six-figure prices, you can still find a strong-running second-gen model for less than the price of a rusted-out first-gen, which is roughly $10,000.   

Similar to every other vehicle on this list, Camaros (and Firebirds) with a clutch pedal will cost more than their automatic equivalents. We came across a rather appealing Camaro equipped with a 383 stroker V8, TH350 three-speed automatic with a manual valve body, a 12-bolt rear, coilover front suspension setup, and a six-point roll cage to the tune of $14,500. 

If you’re truly infatuated with these particular models, then you might be interested in this GM muscle car bazaar that’s for sale, dubbed David T’s Auto Center, which is home to over 1,500 Camaros and Firebirds.

You might not be able to get the Ford Mustang of your dreams if you’re on a budget, but you can certainly still get behind the wheel of one. Sure, it won’t be a Shelby GT350, but it’ll still be an icon. 

While checking recent transaction data, we found a decent number of mid-’60s models selling for less than $20,000, most of which were powered by 289 V8s. This sales data is much more affordable than the book values we observed on a few third-party valuation sites. On top of that, our hunt for current listings yielded plenty of similar models with similar pricing. Notably, ATPs for ’67 and ’68 models appeared to be higher. 

Of course, settling for V6 models will grant access to even more affordable pricing. Alternatively, you could opt for mechanically similar Ford Maverick, Mercury Cougar, and Comet models, which are much easier to find at even more palatable prices. Though be warned, based on our research, we found that worthwhile Mavericks and Comets are pretty hard to come by. 

There are plenty of Chevy Impalas from the late ’60s and early ’70s up for grabs. Prices range from as little as $5,000 for a driver that’s in need of some minor TLC to $80,000 for a refurbished 1965 Chevrolet Impala SS sport coupe equipped with a 409 V8 and four-speed manual transmission.

There were plenty of options that landed in between those two price points, and there seemed to be no shortage of budget-friendly options. One of these finds is an unmolested, single-owner 1970 coupe with a three-speed manual transmission that sold for less than $10,000 back in August. 

If you feel like you missed out, you’re in luck, as another 1970 coupe with the hard-to-find three-on-the-tree manual shifter is up for grabs with an asking price of $14,000. Our favorite Impala found has to be a 1970 wagon with a rebuilt big block V8 sitting under a cowl hood. According to the listing, the transmission is also freshly rebuilt, and it sends power to a brand-new rear end. Other new hardware has recently been installed, and the asking price is $17,000.

If you take the time to scour car listings, you should certainly be able to find a ’65-’76 Impala to suit your wants needs. If the Impala doesn’t do it for you, you may consider other GM B-body models, like the Chevy Caprice, Buick LeSabre, Pontiac Catalina, and Oldsmobile 88. 

If cars like the Chevy Nova and Camaro or Ford Mustang are a bit too mainstream, and you’d rather buy something that requires a mini history lesson every time an onlooker asks, “What’s that?” then an AMC AMX sounds like the perfect fit. Short for “American Motors eXperimental,” the AMX was AMC’s attempt to compete with the Chevrolet Corvette. Although the Javelin hit the market before the AMX, the latter technically arrived first as a concept model in 1966.

Compared to the Javelin, the AMX foregoes a rear seat. Consequently, it features a wheelbase that’s a foot shorter than the Jav’s, measuring in at 97 inches. The smaller dimensions were meant to improve handling performance and provide the sporty sensation needed to rival the Corvette.

When it comes to pricing, these AMCs can easily be found for $25,000, and if you’re patient you can certainly find one in the $15,000 range. One very recent transaction data point shows a very clean 1968 Javelin SST model equipped with a 290 V8 and three-speed automatic selling for just over $23,000 with 17K miles on the dash.

That said, you’ll have to spend significantly more than this if you’re after a well-preserved specimen with one of the larger engine options and a manual four-speed transmission.

Even though we already covered A-bodies, personal preference has earned the Chevy Monte Carlo some extra attention. It’s a great option for those who do more than read the brochure and enjoy blowing the doors off of rich kids in daddy’s Viper. Book values for 1970 through 1972 models are typically over $20,000, but that number drops quite a bit for 1973 and later models. These figures also reflect what we saw with auction prices so far this year, with ’70 through ’72 models selling for $18,000 to $35,000. The priciest unit was a 1970 coupe with a 402 V8 and four-speed manual (shocker). 

We did manage to find something a bit more budget-friendly in Facebook Marketplace, including a running and driving 1971 model that’s in need of restoration. That car’s priced at $6,000. Meanwhile, a nearly finished 1972 Monte Carlo with all the bells and whistles already purchased is up for grabs for twice as much at $12,000. You know what they say: One man’s “I don’t want to work on this anymore” is another man’s “why the hell did I buy this thing?” Generally speaking, though, there were plenty of more viable options.

The most viable and appealing option we came across, though, was a rust-free 1973 Monte Carlo equipped with a Blueprint 383 stroker V8 and TCI super street fighter T350 transmission. The powertrain and drivetrain have less than 1,000 miles on them. The seller claims that the price of the new hardware alone exceeds the asking price of $8,800. When we fact-checked this, we found price tags of $6,600 for a dressed and carbureted engine and $2,900 for the modified transmission. If everything checks out, it surely seems like a solid buy. 

A 1971, ’72, or ’73 Buick Riviera might be the sexiest choice for an enthusiast who’s after a budget-friendly car from the golden era of American muscle. Just look at that booty. Disclaimers about personal preference be damned. These things are objectively gorgeous. 

Although book values and recent auction data for these boat tails are on the higher end relative to other vehicles on this list, we were able to find more than a few listed below $20,000. The cleanest and most alluring specimen is a black-on-black 1973 Riviera GS with 51,000 miles for $19,500. The dash is cracked and the car needs a tiny bit of TLC, but it’s rust free and appears to be well kept. A similarly priced, healthy-looking red ’72 is also up for grabs, and seems to have had a bunch of work recently completed. 

For about half the price of these cleaner options, you can get your hands on a beautiful GS model with its own set of flaws which are more than made up for with a host of replacement parts. Mechanically inclined buyers can make things even cheaper by opting for a 1971 model with transmission problems and an asking price of $3,900. 

For the sake of this list, we should clarify that models prior to 1971 and after 1973 can be had for similar amounts of money, though ’74 and later models tend to be significantly more affordable on average. The Buick Riviera is by no means the only B-body to be had on a budget, but its striking design earned a solo spot on the list.

Prices for Ford Galaxies vary just as much as the nameplate’s available body configurations and engine options. For the uninitiated, Ford offered the Galaxie in convertible, coupe, sedan, and wagon options, much like Chevy did with the Nova. However, the convertible Nova was short-lived, and early ’70s Novas weren’t built as ‘verts or wagons. Comparatively, fourth-gen Galaxies were available in all four body styles.

As we mentioned, we’re not entirely beholden to the strict definition of “muscle car,” which is generally considered to be a compact or midsize family car with a big ol’ V8 engine. And in the case of the Galaxie, we’ll encourage muscle-car-hungry enthusiasts to pursue any body style. Generally speaking, the four-doors and wagons tend to go for less money. Muscle cars aren’t exactly known for their agility anyway, so if the reduced purchase price and added practicality of a wagon works for you, then we say go for it. 

We should note that all body styles have sold for less than $10,000 according to recent auction data. 

When we set out to make this list, the number of eligible candidates was limited by stringent requirements pertaining to model year range, average transaction prices, average condition, and the availability of a minimum number of units within these thresholds. However, as we continued our searches and scoured live listings in an effort to compare real market data with auction prices and valuation tools, we soon realized that there are more opportunities in the private market than what these third-party tools might suggest. 

As such, we broadened our scope a bit with the following notion in mind: If you want an affordable muscle car, you really just need to look hard enough. The models we’ve compiled here stuck out, as there was a decent supply readily available in a budget-friendly price range of well below $20,000. Ultimately, though, availability will vary depending on your budget, and the viability of these purchases will also depend on how risk averse you are (or aren’t). We maintained the need for a clean title, road worthiness, and (mostly) proper functionality.

Some subjective calls were made. For instance, we softened our requirements on what exactly qualifies as a muscle car. In 2025, what’s generally perceived as a muscle car is certainly not going to be the same as what it was in 2005. Beyond that, the market has also shifted. So, perhaps it’s a stretch to refer to an Impala wagon or Galaxie wagon as a muscle car, even with a big block 454 V8 is under the hood. However, if they’re viable options for someone who’s after the muscle car experience but on a budget with limited options, then we will certainly encourage their decision to pull the trigger on either of those.