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10 Best Classic Convertible Muscle Cars
We have something special for you below if you want to return it to a stylish vehicle's better times. There have been some amazing classic convertible muscle cars throughout history, making it hard to choose the best.
The best classic convertible muscle cars perfectly blend performance and style. These vehicles are made for speed and the thrill of driving, with a classic look.
The primary purpose of these cars is to provide a high-performance driving experience, which is why they have powerful engines, smooth suspensions, and sharp looks that will make you feel like you’re in the driver’s seat of a sports car on the race track.
These classic cars were made to be elite performers in their respective eras and still hold up today, even though they are decades old. The designs are timeless, and they can easily be customized and restored.
Below you will find the ten best classic convertible muscle cars ranging across multiple decades in history.
1. 1969 Alfa Romeo Spider (Duetto) Series I
The Alfa Romeo Spider (Duetto) is one of the best classic convertible muscle cars. It's a great car to drive on the streets and can also be used as a weekend getaway.
It is a great car for anyone who wants to have some fun driving in style and wants to take it on road trips or just drive around town. It has many features that make it easy to use and even more enjoyable.
This is a two-seater coupe-style convertible muscle car. The design includes a front engine and rear drive roadster construction, all designed by Alfa Romeo.
This model was released in the Series 1 run between 1966-1969, with a wheelbase of 88.6 inches, length of 167.3 inches, the width of 64.2 inches, and height of 50.8 inches.
The engine is also powerful, producing 122 horsepower and 170 lb-ft of torque. There were multiple trim levels with the same amount of power and torque provided too.
You could also expect a top speed of around 115 MPH using a 4-cylinder inline engine. The five-speed manual transmission was also a new upgrade compared to previous models.
Price Range
This is a rare classic convertible with few available for purchase without looking hard. The average sale ranges between $35,000 to $50,00, but prices vary by vehicle.
The most recent sale went for $47,204, and the lowest reported sale was for only $6,700. If you look carefully, you can find value.
2. 1966 Dodge Coronet 440
The Dodge Coronet 440 was one of the first muscle cars to be produced by Dodge, and you can expect plenty of torque and power thanks to the V8 engine.
This car also features a manual three-speed gearbox transmission that offers plenty of power and a smooth shift. It is available as a two-door coupe with only rear-wheel drive capabilities to provide solid road performance.
This vehicle is considered rare because, in 1968, the convertible option for the 440 model was dropped from production. This meant that with the new feature upgrades and convertible design, it was one of the last ones of its kind.
The 6.3 L engine is impressive and provides plenty of performance with 325 horsepower. This includes maximum torque of 425 lb·ft at 2800 rpm.
The wheelbase is 117 inches with a full length of 203 inches, a width of 75.3 inches, and a height of 54 inches. The fuel tank has a maximum capacity of 19 gallons of gas.
Price Range
The average price for this vehicle ranges widely, but you can see here the car is available for as low as $11,000 and as high as $127,000.
The varying price range is so wide based on total miles, modifications, and vehicle condition. So when looking for your model, shop with caution.
3. 1966 Ford Shelby GT350
The 1966 Ford Shelby GT350 is one of the best classic convertible muscle cars. The car has a powerful engine, a sleek design, and is a blast to drive.
This car also had some great features that made it stand out from other cars in its class. This includes impressive acceleration with 0 to 60 speeds in only 6.6 seconds.
It is one of the most sought-after muscle cars of all time. It has a 4.7-liter V8 engine that produces 306 horsepower and features a top speed of 117 miles per hour.
This car has many features and aspects that make it a perfect candidate for enthusiasts who are looking for a great classic car to buy. This model also included extra rear seating and cargo space for the first time.
Another feature added was the rear-exiting dual exhaust that eventually turned into a standard on all vehicles in the future. This helped with driving comfort by eliminating unnecessary cabin noise.
The 1966 model was the lightest and most compact design of this entire product run. This included a 108-inch wheelbase and a length of 181.6 inches.
Price Range
You should not expect to get your hands on this classic without making a considerable investment. On average, this vehicle goes for $150,000 to $200,000, depending on mileage and condition.
Hemmings has a few models for sale in this price range if you are interested in inquiring about it today.
4. 1970 Mercury Cougar XR7
The 1970 Mercury Cougar XR7 is one of the top-ranked classic convertible muscle cars. It has a powerful 427 V8 engine that can reach up to 390 horsepower, but there were two different V8 options.
It also has a comfortable interior with plenty of trunk space for your weekend getaway or long road trip. This car became famous for its sleek design, beautiful lines, powerful engine, and 3-speed manual transmission.
This vehicle is a perfect blend of style and performance. It had great looks, an aggressive body, and a powerful engine, making it a hit with muscle car enthusiasts in the 1970s.
The Cougar was also a great performer on the track with its fantastic handling and swift acceleration. The design included a quad exhaust and chrome trim to create a more refined and stylish finish.
There were 72,343 total vehicles released in 1970, but only 1,977 were convertibles. That makes this a relatively rare classic convertible, and those with the 428 Cobra Jet engine were considered to be even rarer and more impressive.
Price Range
On average, you can expect to pay between $25,000 to $50,000 for this vehicle. Hemmings currently has one for sale in this range that looks like an excellent value.
5. 1972 Porsche 914
The 1972 Porsche 914 is a beautiful two-door convertible with excellent muscle, power, and speed. It came in multiple trims with two engine options: a 1.7-liter flat-four engine with 80 horsepower or a 2.0-liter flat-six engine with 110 horsepower.
The 914 first began production in 1969, with a short production run until 1976. It was a lightweight vehicle weighing only 1,980 with a large 26-gallon fuel tank in the nose.
If you were looking for strictly power, this is the wrong vehicle, but it provides a refined driving experience with precise handling.
The cylinder heads received upgrades along with increased sizing for the valves and chrome-plated bores. This helped create a more efficient dual-ignition system for performance driving and racing.
The removable convertible roof was built with glass fiber, rein-forced plastic (GFRP) for better durability and easy removability.
Porsche makes a ton of vehicles, but only 3,332 of this model were released. This makes it extremely rare and difficult to find.
Price Range
You can find this vehicle available in many conditions with wide-ranging prices. On average, it will cost in the $35,000 to $45,000 range, but some worse conditions sell for as low as $10,000.
6. 1970 Buick GS Stage 1
The 1970 Buick GS Stage 1 was an amazing car with many features that are not common in modern cars, like a spark-ignition 4-stroke V8 engine and a four-speed manual transmission.
This car had a 2-door hardtop body style with a smooth, fastback roofline. The engine was a 455 cubic inch V8 that produced 340 horsepower and came with a two-speed automatic transmission.
The 1970 Buick GS Stage 1 is one of the best classic convertible muscle cars. It has a powerful engine, excellent handling, and a sleek design. This car is a must-have for any classic car enthusiast.
This is not the fastest car, but it still provides a maximum speed of 105 MPH with a 0 to 60 speed of 7.5 seconds.
The amazing thing about this vehicle is its rarity. Only 678 total models were sold, so it is not the most accessible convertible muscle car to find today.
Price Range
The pricing for this vehicle has such a wide range, so it is not easy to pinpoint the exact pricing. On average, you can expect to pay $65,000 to $95,000 when using Hemmings.
7. 1967 Chevrolet Corvette L88
This 1967 Chevrolet Corvette L88 review is one of the best classic convertible muscle cars. The car has a V8 engine, a top speed of 150 mph, and can go from 0-60 in 5.8 seconds, with some claims even saying 4.5 was possible.
The L88 was the last year for the legendary V8 engines. It was also the last year for production on Corvettes before the introduction of fuel injection. This model has a removable top that opens up with just one hand and a rear window that rolls down like an opera window.
Zora Arkus-Duntov is one of the most renowned engineers ever for a reason, and this vehicle is a perfect example of why. The 427 cubic-inch L88 engine block was large, strong, and powerful.
The L88 was also fitted with aluminum cylinder heads and advanced exhaust ports. Both features helped this vehicle get to faster speeds without an issue.
The top speed of this vehicle was 170 MPH, making it arguably the fastest classic convertible muscle car mentioned in this guide. This power included 430 horsepower too.
Price Range
These older Corvettes are not cheap, and you should expect to pay between $140,000 to $175,000 for any L88 model.
As you can see, Hemmings also offers a few different options in this price range. But be sure to confirm you are looking at the L88 models before moving forward.
8. 1971 Plymouth Hemi Cuda
The 1971 Plymouth Hemi Cuda is another amazing classic convertible muscle car. It has a powerful engine and a top speed of 117 mph, with excellent handling and durability.
The Hemi Cuda has been in production for over three decades, but it remains one of the most desirable cars on the market today. The car features a powerful engine with 425 horsepower and 490 ft-lbs of torque, which makes it one of the fastest muscle cars on the market today.
The car was built on the A-body platform, which was shared with other models, such as the Dodge Charger and Plymouth GTX. This meant that it could be modified easily to give it more power and performance.
This Chrysler Hemi engine is one of the most powerful you will ever find, and it aligns perfectly with the front engine, rear-wheel drive construction of this vehicle.
The wheelbase of this car is 108 inches, with a length of 187 inches and a width of 75 inches. It is the perfect size to utilize all of the power it can provide with extreme precision.
Price Range
You will not find this car for cheap, and for good reason. As mentioned, the engine is one of a kind, and average pricing ranges between $150,000 to $300,00.
This pricing can change quickly, though. For example, Hemmings has some incredible options with custom paintwork to reach the $300,000 price point.
9. 1968 Chevrolet Camaro Z-28
The 1968 Chevrolet Camaro Z-28 has a powerful V8 engine and a sleek design. It also has great performance, which allows it to reach speeds of up to 132 miles per hour.
This is one of the best classic muscle cars that you can find on the market today. It has a powerful drivetrain and a sleek design.
The two-door convertible design is easy to handle, with a three-speed gearbox manual transmission providing enough handling capabilities.
The 4949cc, 302 cu in., 5.0L engine is extremely impressive and also provides 350 BHP with 16 OHVs. There were a total of 7,199 Z28s released on the market in 1968, so this is a rare vehicle.
This was a lightweight muscle car weighing only 3,695 pounds with two doors and four seats. The 108-inch wheelbase is on par with many other vehicles in this category too.
Price Range
It is not easy to find exact pricing on the Z-28 convertible, but this model goes for $50,000 to $100,000 on average, depending on engine type and condition.
Hemmings has 79 different 1968 Camaros worth looking at, though not all of them are convertible models.
10. 1967 Jaguar E-Type Series I
The 1967 Jaguar E-Type Series I is one of the most iconic sports cars ever produced. It was manufactured between 1961 and 19744 and had a 4.2-liter V6 engine with 246 horsepower.
It also has a 2+2 seating configuration and an elegant design that makes it stand out from other cars in its class. The 1967 Series I model is extremely rare, and this entire production run was slim, with between 10,000 to 20,000 released yearly.
This car has been around for a long time and is still one of the world's best classic convertible muscle cars. The styling may be dated, but the performance is not.
This vehicle has a sleek design with a beautiful and functional body. The car also has an impressive engine that can go up to 100 mph, which is perfect for those who enjoy driving fast.
The speed for a car around this time was incredible, hitting a 0 to 60 run in only 7.1 seconds. It also included a top speed of 149 MPH.
Price Range
This vehicle is so iconic that it is difficult even to provide a pricing range. But on the lower end, you can expect to pay no less than $35,000 to $40,000 with many high-end options too.
Many top retailers and marketplaces like Hemmings only have a call for pricing options. Be diligent in your search to get low mileage options if possible.
How To Find The Best Classic Convertible Muscle Car
Classic cars are always in high demand, so finding one can be difficult. But with these tips, you can find the best classic convertible muscle car that meets your needs.
Classic convertible muscle cars are unique because they offer such a mix between power, speed, and style. Consider these factors below when deciding on your next purchase.
Budget
Lock in a budget before beginning your search for a classic convertible muscle car. The prices can display a wide range, and you can save time by eliminating specific vehicles from your budget.
Total Miles
When buying a classic car, it is important to know the total number of miles on the car. This ensures that you are getting the most out of your purchase and that it is not going to be a burden in the long run.
Condition
It is important to consider the condition of the car. There are different factors you should consider before buying any vehicle.
Ask yourself a few questions first:
- Is there rust on the body?
- Are there any dents or scratches on the body?
- Does it have a dent in one of its fenders?
- Is there any damage to its paint job?
- Does it have a missing part or piece that affects its performance?
- Is there anything missing from it that could affect its performance?
Modifications
Modifications are a huge part of owning classic convertibles, and you should consider whether the car you are looking to buy has received any.
Typically, cars with more advanced modifications will cost more too. This indicates they are in better condition with newer parts that help increase performance.
How Long Do Classic Convertible Muscle Cars Last?
Classic convertible muscle cars are unique but not nearly as durable as other vehicles. This can be attributed to the extreme power, speed, and performance they demand each ride.
The classic convertible muscle car can last long if taken care of properly. However, the cost of maintaining them can be a bit high.
If you have the money to spend on your classic car, then go ahead and enjoy the ride. On average, they will last for 100,000 to 200,000 miles, depending on modifications.
You can always continue to upgrade the interior, so miles become an arbitrary number at that point. The condition can be restored regularly as well.
