Restore a Muscle Car - 18 of the Easiest Muscle Cars to Restore

From the mid-1960s to the early 1970s the auto industry had a variety of muscle cars – intermediate cars with huge V-8 engines and performance equipment and trim.

These days, muscle cars are among the most desirable cars for the classic car hobby, partly because there’s a wide range of classic muscle car parts available.

The muscle car era started in 1964 when Pontiac launched the GTO, a trim package on the Tempest. The GTO was created when the large 389 V-8, available in full-size Pontiacs, was crammed into the intermediate Tempest. For 1965 the GTO became a separate model. Sales far exceeded demand, and competitors scrambled to take on the GTO. The muscle car race was underway.

The concept of a big engine in a small car soon spread to some compact models, as well as pony cars, including the Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro, broadening the definition of a “muscle car.”

The popularity of muscle cars began to fade in the early 1970s, because of higher insurance premiums and stiffer anti-pollution requirements. Then came higher gas prices – and muscle cars were known for performance and looks, not fuel economy. Also, by the mid-1970s, many of the original owners, largely baby boomers, were getting older and starting families, and muscle cars no longer fit their needs.

Today, muscle cars are extremely popular among people looking to find a car to restore, and Collectors Auto Supply has a full range of muscle car restoration parts. 

So which muscle car should you restore? Well, that’s very personal, and often a big motivator

is remembering a car that your parents or neighbors drove. Or maybe it’s what caught your eye at a car show, online, or in a car magazine.

There’s a wide range of prices for used muscle cars, depending on condition and rarity. You might get started for as little as $3,000 (or even less) – but at that price there may not be an engine or interior. Some rare muscle cars go for more than $1,000,000. If you spend some time searching, you should be able to find a ’60’s or ’70’s muscle car in reasonable shape for anywhere from $20,000 to $80,000.

Here is our list of some of the more popular muscle cars that can be restored, thanks to a wide variety of muscle car parts that are available.

1965 to 1970 Ford Mustang

Sales of the original Ford Mustang exceeded expectations because the Mustang offered a variety of options. The Mustang could be a dressed-up compact, a mini-luxury car, or a high-performance car. The Mustang has been popular among collectors for almost 60 years. No matter what you need to restore or dress up your Ford Mustang, Collectors Auto Supply is the place to shop for classic Mustang parts.

1967 to 1969 Chevrolet Camaro

In response to the success of the Ford Mustang, Chevrolet introduced the Camaro in the fall of 1966, opening another chapter in the ongoing Ford-Chevrolet battle, this time in a new market segment. You can find all your classic Camaro parts here.

1967 to 1970 Pontiac Firebird

The Pontiac Firebird shared some components with the Chevy Camaro but offered a step up in luxury and performance. Firebirds were available with a variety of engines. There were fewer Firebirds than Camaros made, but if your heart is set on one, we have a large selection of classic Firebird parts.

1955 to 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air

The Chevrolet Bel Air from 1955 to 1957 is one of the most desired cars among collectors. In 1955, a new style was introduced, along with a new V-8 engine. In 1957, a new fuel-injection option boosted horsepower. Whether on your list or in your garage, Collectors Auto Supply is the place to shop for classic ’55 to ’57 Chevy Bel Air parts.

1964 to 1970 Pontiac GTO

The GTO kicked off the muscle car segment in 1964. Competitors soon followed, but the GTO always stayed on top and was named Motor Trend magazine’s Car of the Year in 1968. You can find classic GTO parts here.

1970 to 1972 Chevrolet Chevelle

The intermediate Chevy Chevelle, popular among commuters and taxi companies, could also be ordered with equipment to make it one of the hottest muscle cars of the day, including the high-performance SS models, available with a big block 454 V-8. We have a large selection of classic Chevelle parts.

1970 to 1974 Dodge Challenger

With its Challenger, Dodge offered more luxury, a longer wheelbase and as much power as the related Plymouth Barracuda – including the legendary 426 Hemi engine. The revived Challenger is based on the styling of the 1970 model. If you’re looking to restore an original Dodge Challenger, shop here for classic Challenger parts.

1968 to 1970 Buick Gran Sport

Based on the mid-sized Buick Skylark, the Gran Sport was Buick’s muscle car, sharing a body with the Chevelle SS, Oldsmobile 4-4-2 and Pontaic GTO. The Gran Sport was billed as “The Gentlemen’s Hot Rod” and under the hood, a 455 V-8 was available. You can find classic Buick Gran Sport parts here.

1970 to 1972 Chevrolet El Camino SS

The El Camino began in 1964 as a two-door Chevelle station wagon, with the back seat and rear cargo areas replaced by a pickup bed. For 1968 the new SS 396 V-8 available in the Chevelle was also offered in the El Camino. We have a large selection of classic El Camino SS parts.

1968 to 1972 Oldsmobile Cutlass

Oldsmobile came out with a muscle car package in 1964 on its mid-sized Cutlass called the 4-4-2. For the 1968 model year the 4-4-2 became a separate model, and by 1970 a huge 455 V-8 was offered. Shop at Collectors Auto Supply for classic Oldsmobile Cutlass parts.

1967 to 1976 Dodge Dart

The Dodge Dart name was used on the compact Dodge from the mid-1960s to the mid-1970s. For 1967 a new model was the high-performance GTS. V-8 engines of 340 or 383 cubic inches were offered. In 1968 there was a limited run of Darts with a fiberglass hood to reduce weight – and under the hood was the legendary 426 Hemi. You can find classic Dodge Dart parts here.

1968 to 1970 AMC AMX

American Motors Corporation (AMC) had less than three percent of the market share in the late 1960s. AMC’s pony car was the Javelin, and AMC also offered a two-seater called the AMX by chopping a section out of a Javelin, removing the rear seat. Fewer than 20,000 were built, but if you find one, we have a large selection of classic AMX parts.

1967 to 1970 Mercury Cougar

Mercury introduced the Cougar for the 1967 model year. It was based on the Mustang but was larger and more luxurious. The Cougar won Motor Trend’s Car of the Year award in 1967. The ultimate Cougar of the era was the Eliminator model. Collectors Auto Supply is where you can shop for classic Mercury Cougar parts.

1970 to 1972 Chevrolet Monte Carlo

Chevrolet bought out the Monte Carlo in the fall of 1969 in the emerging personal luxury segment and offered an optional high-performance version called the SS 454 package, which included a 454 V-8 engine, heavy-duty suspension and wider tires. You can find classic Monte Carlo parts here.

1965 to 1970 Chevrolet Impala SS

For those who preferred high performance in full-size cars, Chevrolet offered SS trim on the Impala, which could be ordered with the 427 V-8 that produced 425 horsepower. If you’re looking for lots of power in a big car, we have a large selection of classic Impala SS parts.

1966 to 1970 Dodge Charger

Dodge created the Charger by starting with the intermediate Coronet, adding a fastback roof and changing some of the trim. After two years, the Charger was completely restyled – but the emphasis on power remained, with options of a 440 V-8 or a 426 Hemi. You can shop here for classic Dodge Charger parts.

1965 to 1972 Chevrolet Nova SS

The compact entry-level Chevy quickly became a low-priced, light-weight muscle car. The Nova was restyled for 1968, and could be ordered with SS trim and a 396 V-8. Many performance goodies available on Camaros and Chevelles were also available on Novas. You can find classic Nova SS parts here.

1977 to 1981 Pontiac Firebird

While the market for muscle cars was dramatically reduced by the mid-1970s, one notable exception was the Pontiac Firebird. The Firebird remained true to its roots, offering big engines and lots of performance options through the 1970s. A Trans-Am was in the movie “Smokey and the Bandit.” We have a large selection of classic Firebird parts.