Depending on your age, your dream car may be from the 50s, 70s, 90s, or somewhere in between. It may be a domestic product, something along the lines of a Ford Mustang, Chevy Camaro, or Dodge Challenger, or something more of a European or Asian import. Does the coveted BMW M3, Ferrari Mondial, or original Mazda Miata ring a bell? For the car collectors and car collectors at heart, we know it does. However, with the advances in electric vehicles and the availability of quality classics and parts in decline, the values of these lean machines are in a downward spiral. Is your childhood dream car making the cut?
Chevy El Camino
The Chevy El Camino was a muscle car created by Chevrolet in response to the Ford Ranchero. The El Camino, combining the cab and cargo bed into the body, was fashioned out of Chevy’s station wagon. It was produced between 1959 and 1960, and again from 1964 to 1987. Later models were based on the Chevrolet Chevelle platform, and was available in a variety of different engine and trim options. The El Camino was not a particularly popular car, and was often overshadowed by its competitors. It was also discontinued twice by Chevrolet. As a result, it is not a particularly sought-after collector’s item.
Ford Torino
The Ford Torino was a mid-size car produced by Ford from 1968 to 1976. It was initially sold as a more upscale, smaller variation of the full-size Ford Fairlane. As for the name, Torino was taken from Turin, Italy, considered by many to be “the Italian Detroit.” Although the car was generally well-reviewed in its heyday, the Torino is not considered a modern collector’s car. The biggest issue was that the car was plagued by durability issues, effectively causing low survivability. Depending on its driving environment, the vast majority of Torino’s suffered from heavy body and chassis corrosion in the first five years of ownership. Further, paint peeling was another pain point for this model.
Chevy Camaro Z28
Plymouth Hemi ‘Cuda
The Plymouth Barracuda was a two-door pony car produced by the Plymouth division of the Chrysler Corporation from 1964 to 1974. The Barracuda was introduced one week after the Ford Mustang in April 1964 and, like the Mustang, was based on a compact car platform. The first-generation Barracuda, a fastback A-body coupe based on the Plymouth Valiant, had distinctive wraparound back glass. The first commercially available Hemi variant was released in 1970, during the introduction of the car’s second generation, as the 426 cu in the engine could now fit in the engine bay.
Lincoln Continental
When the Lincoln Continental was first introduced in 1939, it quickly became one of the most popular cars on the market. Its sleek design, powerful engine, and luxurious features made it a favorite among both celebrities and everyday drivers. As a fun fact, the 1948 model was the last car model sold by an American manufacturer that offered a V12 engine. While the first-generation Continental is still praised, other model years, specifically those from 1959-1961, are more highly sought. This is due to a more prized design and fewer numbers of cars being produced during these years.
BMW M3 1990
The original BMW M3 (E30) was introduced in 1986 and was produced until 1991. It was the first M3 model and was succeeded by the E36 M3. The E30 M3 was incredibly popular, due to its incredible performance, handling, and style. It is still considered one of the best performance cars ever made and is highly sought after by tuners looking to maximize performance in this sporty coupe. Amazingly, even its high-revving S14 four-cylinder engine could push this car to 146 mph, before any modifications.
Dodge Charger
The Dodge Charger was a muscle car that was produced from 1966 to 1978. It was based on the Chrysler B platform, and was available as a two-door coupe and a four-door sedan. The Charger was one of the most popular muscle cars of its time, due to its powerful engines and aggressive styling. It was also available with a variety of performance-oriented options, such as a four-speed manual transmission and a V8 engine. The first-generation Charger was discontinued in 1978 but was revived in 2006 as a high-performance sedan. The first Charger is still commendable but will take some major $$$ to achieve some respectable drag-race numbers.
Ferrari Mondial
Ferrari’s Mondial was one of the company’s most popular cars, thanks to its combination of power, luxury, and style. The Mondial was introduced in 1980, and was based on the company’s 308 GT4. The car featured a V8 engine that produced between 215 and 300 hp and could reach a top speed of 150 mph. The Mondial was also well-equipped, with features like power windows, air conditioning, and a leather interior. The car was produced until 1993, and over the course of its production, more than 6,000 examples were sold.
Ford Bronco
The first Ford Bronco was developed as a compact off-road/sport utility vehicle. It became one of the most popular SUVs on the market when it was first released in 1966, competing against the Jeep CJ-5 and International Harvester Scout. It was known for its rugged design and off-road capabilities, which made it a favorite among outdoor enthusiasts and those who loved to explore the great outdoors. The Bronco was also popular for its affordability, simplistic design language, and many customization options.
Toyota Supra
The 1978 Toyota Supra was based on the Celica liftback but was elongated to allow for the inclusion of Toyota’s Inline-six over the four-cylinder. It was developed to compete against Datsun’s Z-Car. Nevertheless, the Supra was so popular because it was an incredibly well-rounded sports car. It had a 110 or 123 hp engine, great handling, and a stylish design that made it stand out from the crowd. It was also relatively affordable, which made it a great option for budget-minded enthusiasts. The Supra quickly gained a reputation as a giant killer on the track, thanks to its ability to take on much more expensive cars and come out on top. This made it a favorite among amateur and professional racers alike and helped solidify its place as one of the all-time greats.
Chevy Bel Air
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