American car companies released a myriad of incredible vehicles over the decades. There used to be a lot more brands in the market 70 years ago. From forgotten International Harvester to Detroit’s legendary Chevrolet, American-made cars have a history that is equally rich as their European counterparts. Several American sports cars released decades ago are still some of the best machines in the world today.
Muscle heads love Chevy cars such as the Nova and the Camaro. As those cars are some of the classic Chevrolets that should be on every gearhead’s wishlist, they overshadowed other Chevy cars that are just as attractive. Those cars were not always in the upper echelons of Chevy’s lineup, but they aged so well that their value will most likely shoot up in the near future.
10 1956 Chevrolet 150
The domestic car industry drastically changed after World War 2. The economic boom motivated car companies to release vehicles that would attract as many potential buyers as possible at a scale never seen before. Chevrolet, like many others, emphasized developing its research and development capacities. Prototypes such as the 1951 LeSabre remind every gearhead today that Chevy was once ahead of the game.
Not every Chevy from the ’50s became an icon. Some of them never made it to the front page of a car magazine. The Chevy 150 is one of them. Being a fleet car, the 150 never received the attention the more glamorous Bel Air received. Sold originally for $2000 at most, the 150 is slowly but surely increasing in value. The 150 seems to be one of those Chevy cars that were born to be souped up.
9 1958 Chevrolet Delray
When American car fans think of classic Chevys from the ’50s, the first vehicles that come to mind are the Corvette and the Bel Air. Those two cars became synonymous with American excellence and hegemony. Now worth their weight in gold, the aforementioned cars are unattainable to 95% of piston heads out there. Underdogs such as the Delray are equally appealing.
Originally sold as a trim level of the Chevrolet 250, the Delray would eventually become its own nameplate in 1958. Succeeding the 150, the Delray was in production for only a year before being discontinued. Though a low-end car, the Delray was available at best with a 348 cu in big-block V8 capable of producing 315 hp. According to Hagerty, a Delray with the 283 cu in engine in Concours condition goes for $17,700.
8 1967 Chevrolet Caprice
The late ’60s were insane when it comes to American cars. Chevy’s lineup included incredible vehicles such as the El Camino SS 396 and the Chevelle SS 396. Those cars were true street machines. However, they were nowhere as popular as the Camaro and the Corvette. Chevy made sure to also offer vehicles that would be perfect for a cruise along the coast.
The gorgeous 1967 Chevrolet Caprice is a classic that American car fans should buy as soon as possible. Most classic car fans remember its elegant figure, but most likely forgot about the insanity Chevy shoehorned underneath the hood. At best, the ’67 Caprice comes with a potent 427 cu in V8 that pumps out 385 hp. A Caprice fitted with the 427 goes for a little over $17,000 in good condition.
7 1967 Chevrolet Malibu
Malibu, CA is one of the nicest and most expensive cities in Los Angeles County. The iconic landscapes of Malibu were featured in numerous movies and TV shows including The Fast And The Furious and M*A*S*H. Known globally as a dream destination, it is quite normal that Chevy decided to name one of its cars “Malibu.”
Though the Malibu became a disappointment, it was once a wonderful car. The ’67 model comes with several engines including a healthy 327 cu in V8. Rated at 325 hp, the top-line ’67 Malibu is a serious classic packing muscle power. The Malibu already tremendously increased in value. It is fair to assume that the trend will stay the same over the upcoming years.
6 1969 Chevrolet Bel Air
Popular nameplates can lose their appeal over time. Back in the early ’50s, the Bel Air was all the rage. However, things started to change when the Corvette came out in 1953. By the time the ’60s were coming to an end, Chevy’s lineup included so many astonishing vehicles that some of them were looked over. The Bel Air, though still an amazing car, was one of them.
The Corvette and the Camaro hogged the spotlight in 1969. Consequently, the Bel Air was put on the back burner. With that said, Chevy made sure to offer the 427 cu in V8 for the Bel Air. Rated at 390 hp, the Bel Air came stock with some serious power. It is fair to say that the ’69 Bel Air could easily be a sleeper car.
5 1970 Chevrolet Impala Kingswood
Today, SUVs and minivans are the go-to cars for families with more than one child. Whether it is an energetic Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT or a spacious Toyota Sienna, families nationwide have plenty to choose from. Until recently, station wagons were the default family cars. American carmakers realized that station wagons also needed to be powerful long before the Dodge Magnum SRT-8 came out.
Back then, American car manufacturers built station wagons that could keep up with real sports cars. The Chevy Impala Kingswood is the prime example. Though offered with a variety of powerplants, the Kingswood would easily turn into a monster when fitted with Chevy’s legendary 454 V8. The big-block V8 is capable of developing 390 hp, which is a lot of power for a station wagon from the ’70s.
4 1973 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
It is well-known among American gearheads that 1973 was a terrible year for big-block V8 fans. As the oil crisis was wreaking havoc on the American economy, it became practically impossible to conduct business as usual. The impact of the Clean Air Act passed by the EPA a couple of years earlier and the first oil crisis forced domestic carmakers to revise their approach.
The Monte Carlo gained a lot of attention in recent years. Despite being slightly underpowered, its classic look is perfect for a restomod project. The 454 cu in V8 lost a lot of power compared to previous years. Rated at 245 hp, the Monte Carlo is still a great car to drive aggressively. Given its huge potential, the Monte Carlo shot up in value and is likely to appreciate in years to come.
3 1988 Chevrolet Corvette 35th Anniversary Callaway
The American muscle car helped cement American carmakers’ reputation throughout the world. Though European carmakers were great at manufacturing luxurious and powerful sports cars, American car companies were able to offer V8-powered cars for the price of a Citroën. With that said, the queen of all muscle cars is on par with some of the finest European sports cars. Both performance and price-wise.
The Corvette is one of the American cars that defined the domestic car industry. Though gearheads tend to disregard Corvettes during the 1980s, one truly stands out. The 1988 Chevy Corvette 35th Anniversary Callaway is an underrated beast. This special edition retro Corvette comes with a twin-turbocharged 5.7L LT4 V8 that cranks out 382hp. Only 2,050 regular 35th Anniversary Edition Corvettes were made.
2 1991 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 1LE
Before the EPA passed regulations in the ’70s, it was impossible to see the Sierra Madre mountains from Pasadena. The regulations in place tremendously helped the environment. Unfortunately, they had a detrimental impact on the automobile industry. Nameplates known for their power and prestige saw their appeal decrease rapidly. Despite having lost some of their attractiveness, a handful of muscle cars released during the Malaise Era were great.
The third-generation Camaro is an ultimate classic that lacks in power and reliability. It is practically impossible not to fall for the boxy and retro looks of the Camaro. In 1991, the top-line Camaro was the Z28 1LE trim. Fitted with a 5.7L L98 V8 rated at 245 hp. It may not seem like much today, but this was a lot of power for an American car in the early ’90s. Only 478 Z28 1LE’s rolled off Chevy’s assembly lines in 1991.
1 1996 Chevrolet Impala SS
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American car companies were struggling in the ’90s. The Japanese invasion was in full force. German automakers were fighting tooth and nail to remain competitive against the Japanese. While this battle was taking place, American carmakers seemed to always miss the target. It was as if the domestic car companies were trying to extinguish a fire with gasoline.
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The 1996 Chevy Impala SS is one of the underrated American cars that will soon be worth a fortune. Its humongous body coupled with the 17-inch five-spoke rims are tell-tale signs that something meaty is underneath the hood. Chevy did not disappoint when it moved forward with a 5.7L LT1 V8 producing 260 hp. Today, Impala SS’s in great condition go for over $21,000