Some American Classic Cars

It might be difficult to restore a classic, but these particular models are fortunate in that there are a large number of original and aftermarket parts accessible.

Making a vintage car shine and shine again from a rusted wreck to a show-stopping show star is no easy undertaking. Lots of money will be spent, many sleepless nights will be endured, and many long hours will be spent searching the internet for the appropriate parts. 

We admire those vehicle aficionados who want to stand out from the crowd on the road and aren’t concerned with the cost of doing so. Because some of the most beautiful restored historic cars need a significant investment of both money and effort. That being said, this post is intended for car enthusiasts who desire a car that is very simple to work on and that will only cost a few hundred dollars to complete. The automobiles listed on this page are simple to locate and inexpensive to purchase. Furthermore, with the majority of manufacturers now supplying OEM components for their antique automobiles, restoring them should be a rather simple and economical operation.

Ford Mustang (from 1965 to 1970)

The Ford Mustang, the undisputed ruler of the pony car kingdom and the most iconic pony car of all time, serves as the starting point for this journey. The Mustang was the single most important factor in the development of the pony car category in the 1960s, and it was a potent force in the pony car arms race. The vehicle sold almost 2.5 million copies in the first five years of manufacture, which means the classic automobile market has plenty of them on sale.

The 1965 Ford Mustang is a significant milestone in American history.

To their amazement and delight, Ford is now manufacturing over 9,000 fully licensed components for antique automobiles, dating back to the 1909 Model T, and their catalog includes complete shell kits for the 1967 to 1970 Mustang. With this level of support and cheaply priced parts, as well as a plethora of how-to books available, restoring an old Mustang is an excellent way to break into the restoration business.

Dodge Charger (1966 – ’70)

From 1966 until 1970, the Dodge Charger was the top-selling car in the world.

The Dodge Charger is one of the most recognizable muscle cars in history, and it makes for an excellent used Dodge vehicle purchase. Many of them were damaged during the filming of The Dukes of Hazzard, and the few that survived are now fetching extremely high prices on the secondary market.

The good news is that the Charger is a pretty nice car to restore, so you won’t be disappointed. As a result, even a shattered General Lee example can be brought back to life with relative ease. Moreover, Dodge continues to provide original parts for vintage automobiles that are more than half a century old, from the smallest engine label to the entire body.

Chevrolet Chevelle (1970 to 1972)

Between 1968 and 1972, Chevrolet sold more than a million A-body Chevelles, with almost 100,000 of those being Go-Fast SS variants, according to the company. The huge block 454 V8 engine was installed in approximately one-quarter of the SS vehicles. Today, practically every Chevelle on display at auto shows is not only an SS model, but also an SS 454, which comes replete with a bulged hood that is known as “Cowl Induction.” For years, the aggressive appearance of the A-body Chevelle has made it every customizer’s ideal project vehicle, and as a result, finding replacement components has never been a problem.

For years, the aggressive appearance of the A-body Chevelle has made it every customizer’s ideal project vehicle, and as a result, finding replacement components has never been a problem.

Pontiac 2+2 (1964 to 1967)

In the period from 1964 and 1967, Pontiac introduced a full-size 2+2 coupe based on the popular Catalina design. Powered by a massive 421 cubic-inch V8 engine, the 1965 and 1966 versions were very impressive. The high-output version boasted 376 horsepower and 461 pound-feet of torque, which was sufficient to propel the beast from 0-60 mph in 3.9 seconds, according to the manufacturer.

The Pontiac 2+2s were more difficult to find than other models from the company, and as a result, parts for them were difficult to come by for many years. However, this is not the case today. There are many places to find just about every part needed to bring a beaten-down 2+2 back to life, including the transmission.

Chevrolet Impala SS (1965-’70)

By the late 1960s, mid-size muscle and pony cars had taken over the performance segment in the United States.  Although the Big Three were unable to extract significant performance from their large trucks, they did their best. By the mid-1960s, the Chevrolet Impala had surpassed all other automobiles in sales in the United States. When it came to the engine, the Super Sport trim was fitted with a 427 cubic-inch L72 engine that produced a staggering 425 horsepower.

The Impala Super Sport is the greatest choice for gear heads who want to experience the vintage cars of the 1960s while also enjoying a little more comfort. The car’s mechanicals are straightforward and highly intuitive, and a large number of additional parts are now available on the market. Because of the ease with which the large machine may be restored and medicated, it can be converted into anything.

Pontiac Firebird (from 1977 to 1981)

The 1960s were tremendous for the muscle car category, but by the late 1970s, the muscle car was near dead. There were only a few surviving instances. While all of these machines were succumbing to their deaths, the Pontiac Firebird was still alive and well. It was in its second generation at the time of its introduction, which occurred between 1970 and 1981.

While most of these vehicles are still readily accessible and reasonably priced on the secondhand automobile market, models manufactured in 1976 and 1977 have seen a significant increase in value as a result of their appearance in the classic film Smokey and the Bandit. Later models of the second-generation Firebirds are the ideal entry point for anyone interested in getting into the restoration business. And the healthy availability of parts means the process is a lot easier and quicker.

Chevrolet Corvair Monza

Chevrolet Corvair Monza is a sports car manufactured by Chevrolet.

A long list of options was available when Chevrolet first introduced the Monza in 1959 for the 1960 model year. This was a feature that Ford heavily copied when it built the Mustang in 1965. The Monza Spyder was the world’s second turbocharged production automobile when it was introduced in 1962.

The Corvair Monza, the second generation of the Corvair, was introduced in 1965, and it was quite attractive. In addition, the Corvair Monza could be an option for individuals who cannot afford a cool air-cooled classic Porsche. The fact that original parts are still available is the best part of the story. With the help of an active fan group, it is simple to acquire and restore a classic Corvair, transforming it from an old, rusted relic into the highlight of auction events.

Buick Gran Sport

The Buick Gran Sport was the brand’s first foray into the world of muscle cars, and it was a success. It, on the other hand, did not garner as much attention as its A-body contemporaries, such as the Chevrolet Chevelle and Pontiac GTO. Consequently, Buick addressed the market in a different manner. The Gran Sport was dubbed “The Gentleman’s Hot Rod” by its creators. Its cabin was incredibly spacious, and under the hood was a 455 cubic inch V8 with the Stage 1 package, which was very powerful.

The Gran Sport’s most powerful model, the GSX, was powered by a 360-horsepower engine that delivered 510 pound-feet of torque, which was the greatest torque ever produced by an American production car until the 2003 Dodge Viper was introduced. Gran Sports were produced in limited numbers, but a thorough search would turn some outstanding project examples. Even with the poor condition of the vehicle, bringing it back to life would be a piece of cake because to the abundant aftermarket supply.

Dodge Super Bee (also known as Charger)

The Dodge Super Bee was introduced to the public in 1968 as a no-nonsense beast powered by a trio of V8 engines and equipped with a heavy-duty suspension system. The greatest of the Bees, on the other hand, was constructed in 1970. It came with a split grille shaped like bumblebee wings, as well as interesting cartoon decorations. At the present time, the Super Bee is considered to be one of the best restoration projects cars available, and Dodge is remanufacturing practically every part required to bring a dead one back to life.

Mercury Cougar (1967 to 1970)

The Mercury Cougar was first offered to the public in 1967. On the basis of the legendary Ford Mustang, it was designed to be a more opulent sports coupe. The Cougar, which was also available with Ford’s big block 390 cubic-inch V8 engine, was awarded the Motor Trend Car of the Year award in its first year of manufacture as well. It had swiftly attracted the attention of middle-class buyers and was quickly becoming the talk of the neighborhood. During its 35-year existence, the automobile has faced several significant challenges. And, while all Cougars are fantastic restoration projects, most gearheads feel that the most attractive vehicles manufactured between 1967 and 1970 are the most gorgeous of all. For those looking to restore their vehicles, the aftermarket has practically every component needed to get an old cat back on the road again. And, when compared to the increasing prices of Mustangs, most Cougars are still a good deal to buy.