5 Of The Best 1960s Muscle Cars Sold On Collecting Cars

The muscle car is in essence a simple but highly effective formula; take a two-door coupe and fit the biggest and most powerful engine possible without breaking the bank. The muscle car truly hit its peak between the early 1960s and 1970, which saw the introduction of many of the most iconic examples of the breed.

The combination of imposing styling with rear-wheel drive and heaps of horsepower was an instant success with the American youth of the day, and this intoxicating formula has appealed to buyers across the world ever since. While the muscle car has continued to evolve over the decades, the heroes of the 1960s have always retained a cult following of enthusiasts and collectors, courtesy of their classic aesthetic and visceral driving experience.

For the purposes of this blast through the archives, we’re taking a look at some of the most impressive and iconic 1960s muscle cars to pass through the Collecting Cars marketplace.

Widely credited as the first true muscle car in its 1964 guise, this later 1967 Pontiac GTO was an impressive example from arguably the most desirable year of production. Built in California and more recently imported to Australia, this numbers-matching car featured a 400 cubic inch V8 producing 335bhp, and was finished in Sky Blue with a blue vinyl-trimmed interior. Enhanced with a few tasteful upgrades including a set of American Racing alloy wheels, and a period-style modern stereo linked to a 400-watt Bazooka amplifier and subwoofer, this handsome GTO achieved a winning bid of A$66,000.

From the first muscle car to arguably the most famous name in American performance; this 1967 Shelby GT500 sold in February 2022 for A$250,500. With a thunderous Ford 428 (7.0-litre) V8 producing 355bhp, this GT500 was one of just 2,048 examples built, and was from the last year that the model was produced at the Shelby American facility in California. To pare back the weight and enhance the aggressive appearance, many of the model's parts were made of fibreglass, including the front panel, bonnet, rear tail light panel, deck lid, quarter panel extensions, and side scoops.

Another iconic Mustang was the 1969 Mach 1 which our team in the Netherlands brought to market in November 2021. Coming from the sought-after first year of production, this Ford had been resprayed in the period-correct shade of Royal Maroon Red. Benefitting from an extensive restoration, the Mach 1’s 351 cubic inch Windsor V8 gave plenty of grunt to match the purposeful stance that came from the deep front chin spoiler, bonnet scoop, rear quarter vents, rear windscreen louvres and rear spoiler. The auction generated spirited bidding, with the hammer falling at €45,000.

In the UK, a fully restored, concours-quality 1969 Chevrolet Camaro RS/SS sold for £43,500 in March 2021. This sought-after ‘double option’ package example incorporated the Rally Sport styling upgrades, as well as the Super Sport performance pack. These included sport suspension, an SS-specific bonnet, bucket seats, and the 396-cubic inch ‘big block’ V8, coupled to the rare original four-speed manual transmission. Presented in showroom condition, with a stunning Le Mans Blue finish and a well-appointed cabin, it was a superb example to enhance any collection.

This 1968 Dodge Charger R/T 440 was a formidable and extensively upgraded muscle car, which found a new home in July 2021. As the sought-after flagship model, it featured a 440 cubic inch (7.2-litre) ‘Magnum’ V8 coupled to a rare Hemi four-speed manual transmission. Comprehensively restored between 2006 and 2008 in the US, and re-finished in Chrysler code F8 Green, it included a raft of discerning modifications such as a six-barrel carburettor, a McLeod twin-plate clutch, disc brakes all-round, xenon headlights, Dynamat sound proofing, and an Alpine DAB head unit with uprated speakers. It went off to a new home for a winning bid of £64,600.

A well-maintained and well-presented classic muscle car – whether entirely original or even tastefully modified – can make an attention-grabbing auction consignment. Offering buyers the chance to acquire iconic cars that live up to the phrase: “there’s no replacement for displacement”. Contact us if you have an impressive example of a similar car that needs a new home.