Royal Muscle

As the American muscle car era approached peak muscularity in the last years of the 1960s, Detroit’s Big 3 all produced machinery that would stand the test of time in terms of outright performance, attractive styling, and overall badassery. These 10 cars epitomize all that was great about that period, and as a result, they’re as difficult to catch on the auction block as they were (and still are) on the track.

1970 PLYMOUTH HEMI ’CUDA
Engine: 426-cid OHV V-8
Horsepower: 375 hp
Transmission: 4-sp manual
0-60 MPH: 7.1 sec.
1/4 Mile: 14.09 sec. @ 102.85 mph
Number Built: 858-859 for 1969
MSRP: $4,925

1968 SHELBY GT500 KR
Engine: 428-cid OHV V-8
Horsepower: 400 hp
Transmission: 4-sp manual/3-sp auto
0-60 mph: 6.9 sec.
1/4 Mile: 14.04 sec. @ 102.73 mph
Number Built: 933 coupes/318 convertibles
MSRP: $4,473 coupe/$4,594 convertible

1969 CHEVROLET CAMARO ZL1
Engine: 427-cid OHV V-8
Horsepower: 500 hp (advertised 430 hp)
Transmission: 4-sp manual/3-sp auto
0-60 mph: 5.5 sec.
1/4 Mile: 10.41 sec. @ 128.10 mph
Number Built: 69
MSRP: $7,200 approx.

1970 CHEVROLET CHEVELLE SS 454 LS6
Engine: 454-cid OHV V-8
Horsepower: 450 hp (advertised 430 hp)
Transmission: 4-sp manual/3-sp auto
0-60 mph: 5.8 sec.
1/4 Mile: 13.81 sec. @ 103.8 mph
Number Built: 153–201
MSRP: $3,797–$3,866 (sport coupe)

1969 FORD MUSTANG BOSS 429
Engine: 429-cid OHV V-8
Horsepower: 375 hp
Transmission: 4-sp manual
0-60 mph: 7.1 sec.
1/4 Mile: 14.09 sec. @ 102.85 mph
Number Built: 858-859 for 1969
MSRP: $4,925

1969 CHEVROLET CORVETTE L88
Engine: 427-cid OHV V-8
Horsepower: 430 hp
Transmission: 4-sp manual
0-60 mph: 5.2 sec.
1/4 Mile: 14.10 sec. @ 106.89 mph
Number Built: 116
MSRP: $5,813

1969 CHEVROLET YENKO sYc CAMARO
Engine: 427-cid OHV V-8
Horsepower: 425 hp
Transmission: 4-sp manual
0-60 mph: 5.7 sec. est.
1/4 Mile: 11.9 sec. @ 114.5 mph
Number Built: 199–301
MSRP: $4,245

1969 DODGE CHARGER 500 HEMI
Engine: 426-cid OHV V-8
Horsepower: 490 hp (advertised 425 hp)
Transmission: 4-sp manual/3-sp auto
0-60 mph: 4.7 sec.
1/4 Mile: 13.80 sec. @ 105 mph
Number Built: 84
MSRP: $4,508

1969 CHEVROLET COPO CAMARO
Engine: 427-cid OHV V-8
Horsepower: 430 hp
Transmission: 4-sp manual/3-sp auto
0-60 mph: 5.4 sec.
1/4 Mile: 13.5 sec. @ 102 mph
Number Built: 500–700 U.S. (79 Canada)
MSRP: $4,500 est.

1970 PLYMOUTH ROAD RUNNER SUPERBIRD HEMI
Engine: 426-cid OHV V-8
Horsepower: 425 hp
Transmission: 4-sp manual/3-sp auto
0-60 mph: 4.8 sec.
1/4 Mile: 13.49 sec. @ 106 mph
Number Built: 135 (58 4-sp/77 auto)
MSRP: $4,925