Not every great classic car became a household name. Some had the design, performance, and innovation to rival legends, but they were overshadowed by flashier competitors, poor marketing, or simply bad timing. Today, many of these cars are finally getting recognition, but they remain undervalued gems compared to their famous rivals. Here are 17 criminally overlooked classics, complete with their production years, engine specs, production numbers, and today’s market values.
AMC AMX
The AMC AMX was built from 1968 to 1970 and offered engines ranging from a 290 to a 390 cubic inch V8 with up to 325 horsepower. Only about 19,000 were produced. It was unique as a two seat American muscle car and could run the quarter mile in under 14 seconds. Unfortunately, it was overshadowed by the Mustang and Corvette. Today, collectors value it between 25,000 and 45,000 dollars, making it one of the best performance bargains of the era.
Plymouth Fury GT
The Plymouth Fury GT was offered from 1970 to 1971 with 383 to 440 cubic inch V8 engines producing up to 375 horsepower. Production was extremely limited at fewer than 1,300 units. Comfortable and quick, it was overshadowed by the Road Runner and GTX. Today, it is worth between 20,000 and 40,000 dollars, and its rarity is finally giving it some collector attention.
Ford Torino GT
Ford’s Torino GT was produced between 1968 and 1971. It came with engine options from a 302 to a 429 Cobra Jet V8 producing as much as 375 horsepower. Ford built hundreds of thousands of Torinos overall, but relatively few were true GTs. With quarter mile times in the 14 second range, it was a serious performer. Values today range between 25,000 and 50,000 dollars, a bargain for a car with genuine big block muscle.
Buick Riviera GS
The Buick Riviera GS was produced between 1965 and 1975 and came with 401 to 455 cubic inch V8 engines, producing up to 370 horsepower. Fewer than 5,500 GS models were built each year. The 1971 boat tail Riviera remains one of the most dramatic GM designs of the era. Values remain between 18,000 and 35,000 dollars, far less than other GM muscle luxury cars.
Chevrolet Corvair Monza
The Chevrolet Corvair Monza was produced between 1960 and 1969 and featured an air cooled flat six engine with power ranging from 80 to 180 horsepower in turbocharged form. Chevrolet sold about 1.8 million Corvairs in total, with Monza being the most popular trim. The turbocharged Monza was one of the first affordable turbo cars in America. Today, values range from 10,000 to 25,000 dollars, making it an affordable and unusual collectible.
Oldsmobile Toronado
The Oldsmobile Toronado was introduced in 1966 and built until 1970 in its first generation. It came with 425 to 455 cubic inch V8 engines producing up to 400 horsepower and was one of the first front wheel drive American cars of the modern era. Oldsmobile produced around 143,000 in its first generation. Values today are between 15,000 and 30,000 dollars, a small price for such an innovative car.
Dodge Magnum XE
The Dodge Magnum XE was produced for just two years from 1978 to 1979. It offered 318 to 400 cubic inch V8 engines, but due to emissions regulations power was limited to about 195 horsepower. Around 50,000 were built. NASCAR legend Richard Petty raced one, giving it credibility. Values today remain low at 8,000 to 15,000 dollars, making it one of the cheapest ways to get into Mopar history.
Studebaker Avanti
The Studebaker Avanti was launched in 1962 and built through 1963 before Studebaker collapsed. It featured a 289 cubic inch V8 producing up to 290 horsepower in supercharged form. Only about 4,600 were built. The fiberglass body and futuristic design made it a standout, but the company’s financial troubles doomed it. Collectors today pay between 25,000 and 45,000 dollars for an original Avanti.
Mercury Cougar XR7
The Mercury Cougar XR7 was built from 1967 to 1973 and came with engines ranging from a 289 to a 428 cubic inch V8 producing up to 335 horsepower. Over 400,000 Cougars were sold in the first generation, but the XR7 was the more luxurious and powerful version. Despite its refinement, it was overshadowed by the Mustang. Today, values range between 18,000 and 35,000 dollars.
Pontiac Grand Prix SJ
The Pontiac Grand Prix SJ was offered from 1969 to 1972. It featured 400 to 455 cubic inch V8 engines producing up to 370 horsepower. Pontiac sold about 112,000 SJ models during those years. It combined personal luxury styling with muscle car performance. Collectors today can buy one for between 15,000 and 28,000 dollars, making it one of Pontiac’s hidden treasures.
Chrysler 300 Hurst
The Chrysler 300 Hurst was a one year special offered in 1970. It came with a 440 cubic inch V8 producing 375 horsepower. Only about 500 were built, making it very rare. With its distinctive white and gold paint and massive presence, it was one of Chrysler’s boldest luxury muscle statements. Today, these cars are valued between 30,000 and 60,000 dollars.
Ford Galaxie 500 XL
The Ford Galaxie 500 XL was produced between 1962 and 1970. It came with engines from a 352 to a 427 cubic inch V8, producing up to 425 horsepower. It was a full size coupe with drag racing credibility, but the Mustang quickly stole the spotlight. Today, values range between 18,000 and 35,000 dollars.
Nash Ambassador
The Nash Ambassador was in production for decades, with the key postwar models being built between the late 1940s and early 1970s. It offered inline six and V8 engines and was ahead of its time with unit body construction and reclining seats. Nash built far fewer Ambassadors than the Big Three built their sedans. Today, surviving Ambassadors are valued between 12,000 and 25,000 dollars, making them affordable classics.
Plymouth Sport Fury
The Plymouth Sport Fury was produced between 1962 and 1978 and offered engines from a 318 to a 440 cubic inch V8 producing up to 390 horsepower. Tens of thousands were sold, but it was overshadowed by the Road Runner and Barracuda. Today, values are between 15,000 and 30,000 dollars, making it a bargain for Mopar fans.
Buick Wildcat
The Buick Wildcat was produced between 1962 and 1970. It came with 401 and 425 cubic inch V8 engines producing up to 360 horsepower. Around half a million were built during its production run. Despite its size and performance, it never reached the fame of the Riviera. Today, values are between 12,000 and 28,000 dollars, which is remarkably affordable for a full size Buick muscle car.
Kaiser Darrin
The Kaiser Darrin was introduced in 1954 with a Willys 161 cubic inch inline six producing just 90 horsepower. Only 435 were ever built, making it one of the rarest American sports cars. With its sliding doors and fiberglass body, it was innovative but underpowered. Today, collectors pay between 90,000 and 150,000 dollars for the few survivors.
Dodge Polara 500
The Dodge Polara 500 was built from 1962 to 1971. It offered engines from a 318 to a 440 cubic inch V8 with up to 375 horsepower. Tens of thousands were sold, but it was never marketed as heavily as the Charger or Road Runner. Today, values range from 15,000 to 32,000 dollars.
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