{"id":57089,"date":"2022-07-29T16:45:44","date_gmt":"2022-07-29T20:45:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/motor-junkie.com\/?p=57089"},"modified":"2022-11-03T11:25:54","modified_gmt":"2022-11-03T15:25:54","slug":"classic-cars-from-the-60s-70s-that-wont-send-drivers-to-the-poor-house","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dev.motor-junkie.com\/classic-cars-from-the-60s-70s-that-wont-send-drivers-to-the-poor-house\/57089\/","title":{"rendered":"Classic Cars From The ’60s & ’70s That Won’t Send Drivers To The Poor House"},"content":{"rendered":"
The 1960s and ’70s were two notable eras in the automotive industry. Many new technologies were coming out at the time. The two decades completely changed the automotive industry and shaped the cars that we have today. Cars from this era remain coveted by collectors of today for many reasons.<\/p>\n
Many classic cars<\/a> have become popular in the restoration community, and parts cars are becoming harder to come by. The repair costs of classic car ownership can be expensive, and some cars are far more expensive to own than others<\/a>. When drivers consider buying a classic car, they want something that won’t break the bank. These cars are some of the most iconic models released, but they are also some of the most affordable when it comes to ownership costs. Check out some true classics from the ’60s and ’70s that won’t send drivers to the poor house.<\/p>\n The Mazda RX-7 is the most well-known rotary-powered Mazda sports car<\/a>, but there was another rotary-powered car that came before it. The Cosmo is rare and was considered the pinnacle of Mazda design and engineering at the time. The Cosmo was the beginning of the rotary-powered sports car and it introduced a whole new world of engineering (via Hemmings<\/a>).<\/p>\n The Cosmo was largely considered a “halo” car for the company. But enthusiasts<\/a> will point to the excellent driving manners of the car. The rotary engine was instrumental in changing the way we enjoyed sports cars. Mazda often does not get the credit it deserves for innovation in this segment.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Corvette Stingray was one of the most notable sports cars in the 1960s<\/a>. The Corvette line is an iconic automotive brand that still holds relevance today. And the Stingray, with its unique design and beautiful curves, was one of the most fun-to-drive cars of the era (via Hemmings<\/a>).<\/p>\n At its core, the Corvette Stingray is a very simplistic car, which makes it fairly cheap to maintain. The GM V8 engines from this era are bulletproof and reliable. The body panels and trim pieces are almost impossible to find nowadays, but if you get a clean, well-running example of the car, you’ll have a great classic.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Believe it or not, many younger car enthusiasts<\/a> don’t realize that the legendary “Z” has been around since the 1960s. The 1969 Datsun 240Z was the birth of a legendary automotive model. The car drove unlike anything else on the market at the time, and it was remarkably affordable (via Hemmings<\/a>).<\/p>\n The 240Z proved to be one of the most successful Datsun models of all time. It also helped the company establish itself in the United States<\/a>. The car would continue in this body style until the late 1980s, and it never lost popularity with car shoppers.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Ferrari 275 GTB is one of the most popular Ferrari sports cars from the 1960s and there’s a good reason for that. The design of the car was top-of-the-line at the time. Smoothly sculpted lines make up the aerodynamic exterior, and the driving dynamics are exciting even by today’s standards (via Hemmings<\/a>).<\/p>\n The best thing about the Ferrari<\/a> 275 GTB is that it is one of the most affordable Ferrari models of this generation. The 275 GTB will not be the most affordable car<\/a> to keep on the road if you have to do a lot of repairs. But if you can find a well-maintained model from a collector, you’re in for a great ride.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The original Lotus Elan is considered the best roadster of all time by most car enthusiasts<\/a>. It was a pure driving pleasure in every sense of the word. You could say the Mazda Miata borrowed many design elements from the original Elan model because both cars used the same design characteristics (via Hemmings<\/a>).<\/p>\n The original Elan is an incredibly nimble car and that was one of the things drivers loved about it. Its lightweight design enabled the car to take off from 0-60<\/a> in incredible amounts of time. The ride quality was also quite comfortable, thanks to the precision-built suspension.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The modern Giulia is a beautiful sedan that has garnered a lot of positive press. And overall, the Giulia nameplate is one of the oldest automotive nameplates around. The Giulia name is equated with precision handling and performance wrapped in a compact package (via Hagerty<\/a>).<\/p>\n The Giulia is not your average sports car from this era. Every inch of the car was built to perfection, from its low-slung ride height to the no-frills steel wheels. The Giulia was surprisingly reliable for its period. The engine requires regular maintenance, but most owners report it’s otherwise reliable.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The way a British sports coupe performs is unlike anything else that you’ll drive. The MG B is one of the most well-known roadsters in the world. The simple design of the car gave it a rewarding driving experience, to sum up in a single sentence (via Hagerty<\/a>).<\/p>\n The MG B came with a few engine variations, but perhaps the most intriguing is the MGC (1967-69), which came with a six-cylinder engine. This car is more common than you’d think, and you’ll see it often at various car shows. Driving a roadster down a beautiful twisting road is an unforgettable experience.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n There is just something about a compact BMW from the 1960s that invokes driving passion like nothing else. The BMW 2002 was built from 1966-1977, and the car has a solid following. The lightweight design of the 2002 gave it excellent off-the-line performance and stellar handling (via Hagerty<\/a>).<\/p>\n The original BMW 2002 had the four-cylinder M10 engine<\/a>, which is highly regarded in the car community. With a little work, the BMW 2002 can be a comfortable modern sports car<\/a>. The parts are not hard to come by, as the resale community for the BMW 2002 continues to grow as more people<\/a> gain interest in the car.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Nowadays, you probably know the Chrysler 300C as the popular urban cruiser everyone loves to modify. But history will show there were multiple Chrysler vehicles to sport the 300 brand name. The 300F was a big and bold luxury sedan with a powerful engine and stylish exterior. The performance<\/a> of the 300F is one of the things that made the car resonate with consumers. Naturally, when you couple great performance and style, you have a recipe for success (via Hagerty<\/a>).<\/p>\n The maintenance costs for the Chrysler 300F are much more affordable than you would think. Many parts are common because they were used on different models in the Chrysler lineup. There are also many modern upgrades that you can do to this car thanks to the relationship with the Mopar parts division.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Impala is one of the most well-known automotive lines in the world and the 1961 model was especially unique. The 1961 Impala is popular in the lowrider world, but the car also had a lot of appeal to hot-rodders and enthusiasts. The car has a great base that is compatible with many GM products. Without breaking a sweat, you can fit any number of modern GM V8 engines into the 1961 Impala (via Hagerty<\/a>).<\/p>\n Because the V8 GM cars from this era were so well built, the reliability is also there. This is just one of the cars from this era that will still turn over and start today. The engines and transmissions are plentiful and you can upgrade them easily if you wanted. The rest of the parts are all common and affordable at your local auto parts store.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Pontiac GTO is probably the most well-known muscle car<\/a> in history but there were other muscle cars with a Pontiac badge that tend to get overlooked. Case in point, the Catalina. The Catalina 421 Super Duty was a well-built muscle car<\/a> packed with the legendary 421 V8 engine under the hood. The styling of the car was what you’d expect from this era but performance was out of this world (via Hagerty<\/a>).<\/p>\n The Catalina 421 Super Duty was a performance powerhouse and the styling was handsome. The availability of parts for this car is fairly easy to come across. The most difficult time to find parts will probably be the replacement body parts. Apart from that, the Catalina 421 Super Duty has access to the massive GM portfolio of replacement engines and common easy-to-find parts.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Oldsmobile was one of the most influential automotive brands in the world at one point in time. It’s disappointing that GM allowed the brand to fade into obscurity in the 1990s. The 1961 Oldsmobile Starfire was a special edition<\/a> halo car designed much in the same light as the Cadillac Eldorado was at the time. A beautiful swooping exterior and interior make the car more beautiful than you might remember, especially in today’s classic car market (via Hagerty<\/a>).<\/p>\n Although the 1961 Starfire is a rare classic<\/a>, it’s also one of the most reliable. The Skyrocket V8 engine was one of the best that GM had released. The basic parts that go into keeping the Starfire on the road are fairly easy to come across. There is also a large aftermarket community of enthusiasts who support the car and have local meet-ups and events.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Dart is not what you’d consider one of the rarest muscle cars<\/a>, but it has a few special-edition models. The 1962 Dart 412 Max Wedge was a special edition<\/a> car with a performance-oriented engine and design. Underneath the hood are many common parts shared with other Dodge vehicles at the time. In recent years, there has been a lot of interest in the 1962 Dart 412 Max Wedge (via Hagerty<\/a>).<\/p>\n The Dart was not only a lightweight and compact car<\/a> that packed serious performance, but also the 412 Max Wedge took that philosophy to the next level. With the reliability of the car and the commonality of the parts from this era<\/a>, the Dart is cheap to restore and keep on the road. Not to mention you get a car that will raise some serious eyebrows.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Part of the Chrysler Corporation and geared toward the value-oriented car buyer, Plymouth was also well-known for its performance cars in the 1960s and 1970s<\/a>. The 1962 Savoy Super Stock 413 is perhaps one of the earliest examples of badge engineering in between different automotive divisions (via Hagerty<\/a>).<\/p>\n The 1962 Plymouth Savoy Super Stock 413 shared its platform with the Dodge Dart 412 Max Wedge. The two cars were almost identical but the Plymouth variant of the car was much rarer. Keeping the 1962 Plymouth Savoy Super Stock 413 is not as expensive as you might suspect. Parts are relatively common for much of the vehicle and there is also a fairly extensive aftermarket community.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n A classic car<\/a> that doesn’t always get the credit it deserves is the Ford Galaxie. The Galaxie was not as prominent as some of the most well-known car models<\/a>, such as the Impala, but it still provided a great driving experience. What makes the 1962 Ford Galaxie 406 such a great classic car<\/a>? That’s because the performance of the Galaxie 406 is still impressive to this day. The motor had 406 cubic inches, which was one of the largest motors to come out of Ford (via Hagerty<\/a>).<\/p>\n The 1962 Ford Galaxie 406 might be one of the best bargains in the current classic car<\/a> market. Because the car is not one of the common and immensely popular classics on the market, you can find one for a great price. With the common parts catalog and a loyal ownership community, the Galaxie 406 is a great collector’s car.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n This car is expensive but it’s one of the rarest cars of this era. Take a look at the 1963 Studebaker Avanti R2 and you will know right away that this isn’t your average classic. The Avanti R2 was designed to be a different type of sports car, and it provides a one-of-a-kind driving experience. With the four-speed transmission and the limited production run, this is a mix of muscle and luxury all in one package (via Hagerty<\/a>).<\/p>\n Even Jay Leno owns an Avanti R2, so that should tell you something about this car. Yes, you will spend a lot of money to get your hands on one, but the Avanti is reliable. The parts aren’t easy to come across, but this car has a dedicated following. There are also many modern upgrades that you can do to this car to bring it into the new millennium.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n As you probably realize by now, Plymouth was once a well-known entity on the muscle car scene<\/a>. The 1963 Plymouth Max Wedge 426 was another great muscle car<\/a> that hit the scene using the same simple formula as before. The lightweight body coupled with a massive engine was a recipe for driving pleasure. The Max Wedge 426 was made in fairly limited numbers and is not as well known as the Dodge version (via Hagerty<\/a>).<\/p>\n The 1963 Plymouth Max Wedge 426 is not a cheap car<\/a> to get your hands on, but once you own one, parts are fairly inexpensive to come across. Many of the parts used on this car were common Chrysler parts from the era. You can also do a few modern upgrades to this car, such as a modern motor, radio, and even an upgraded instrument cluster.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n In the 1960s, most automakers were going with a space and technology theme. Part of this was that we were finally about to put a man on the moon. Oldsmobile took it a step further by naming their vehicles after space themes. The 1963 Oldsmobile Jetfire is another example of that and a car that most people don’t remember. But the convertible top coupled with the powerful engine made the Jetfire a one-of-a-kind car (via Hagerty<\/a>).<\/p>\n The Jetfire is not the most common car<\/a> on the road, but that benefits you because the market won’t drive up the price. Consumers want the Chevelle and the Impala, who is actively searching for a Jetfire? But if you can get your hands on a Jetfire, you have a classic that is easy to repair and drives wonderfully.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Gremlin is one of the most recognizable classic cars in the world<\/a>, and it’s not always a good thing. The awkward styling of the Gremlin was partly because the folks at AMC didn’t have many resources to design a completely new model. The Gremlin is a rolling parts catalog of existing AMC parts from the same era. But the car was also a subcompact that could be had with a V8 power plant from the factory (via Motor Trend<\/a>).<\/p>\n While that is unique, there were other things to like about the Gremlin. The interior of the car is not that cramped, considering the exterior dimensions. There are also many aftermarket parts available for this car. The Gremlin also has a devoted following of enthusiasts who are always willing to lend a hand to new owners. Not to mention the fact that AMC parts aren’t that expensive.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n When looking at the Vega, you might mistake it for a miniature Camaro. That design was intentional by GM, as the fuel crisis forced the company to bring a fuel-efficient car to the market. There is a lot to like about the Vega nowadays, and with a little work, the Vega can be a great classic car<\/a>. The interesting thing about the Vega above everything else is how cheap the current prices for one are (via Auto Blog<\/a>).<\/p>\n The Chevrolet Vega was not the most reliable car when it was brand new, but much of that can be remedied with modern upgrades. There is also a dedicated following to the Vega, and they have car meets all over the country. With a little elbow grease, the Vega can be built into the ultimate retro-cruiser, and you won’t have to spend that much to keep it on the road.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Ford Pinto is a notorious car that probably needs no introduction for most readers. This is the subcompact car that almost put Ford out of business. There was a defect in the design that would cause the car to explode when it was hit from the back. But the Pinto has become a fun project car. Ever thought about cramming a Coyote V8 into a Pinto? Well, it’s been done and there is a lot more than you can do to this car (via Car Gurus<\/a>).<\/p>\n The Pinto is a car that you can get for dirt cheap, and it won’t set you back all that much to fix it. Depending on how far you want to get in the restoration, the Pinto can be a great first-time project or another side project. There was a lot to like about the Pinto, and that is especially the case with all the new modern upgrades.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n If you thought the AMC Gremlin was a great car, you probably haven’t seen the AMC Pacer. This was another subcompact released by AMC and many of the interesting features of the Gremlin can be found in this car. The AMC Pacer had a unique fishbowl design that was an instant hit with consumers. The Pacer was one of the few projects that came out of AMC that managed to sell well (via Go Motors<\/a>).<\/p>\n There are hundreds of upgrades that you can do to the Pacer in its factory configuration to get more power out of the car. Like most AMC products, the Pacer is greatly undervalued, considering how big of a piece of automotive history it was. There weren’t many cars that hit the market that looked like the Pacer did. With a little work, you can make the Pacer a great classic ride that will turn heads wherever you go.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Now, this is probably one of the most unique classic cars<\/a> drivers can buy. The Ford Mustang<\/a> II is based on the Ford Pinto of all things. This was the generation of the Mustang that Ford<\/a> had to return to the drawing board. The Cobra R was not the fastest Mustang ever, but it is certainly a model that will turn heads. You don’t see this generation of the Mustang often, and it is one of the least valuable generations of the car. With a little work, the Pinto-based Mustang II can become the ultimate sleeper car (via Motor Trend<\/a>).<\/p>\n Many modern modifications have been making their way around automotive publications in recent years. These modern upgrades, such as swapping for a Coyote motor, have given the Mustang II model new life. But the prices for these Mustangs are still affordable, and since a 5.0 Fox Body is out of reach for most people, the Mustang II could be a more budget-friendly option for you.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Sapporo is one of the least-known cars that came out of Chrysler in the 1970s. It was a compact car that wasn’t very recognizable, to say the least. The Sapporo didn’t stand out in any unique way but that has benefited the affordable price tag. Nowadays, the Sapporo can be a cheap classic that you can get a lot out of. There are plenty of upgrades that you can do to the Sapporo for an inexpensive price and have a cheap classic car (via Hemmings<\/a>).<\/p>\n There was a lot to like about the Sapporo. The platform is lightweight and there are many common parts that you can find for this car. The rarity of the Sapporo makes this a car that will cause people to turn their heads when you drive by. Even if you kept this car in stock, it would make a nice classic that you could take out and enjoy on the weekend. There aren’t many cars that came out of this era that you can get for the affordable price that you can get a Sapporo for.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Chevette was one of the first compacts to come out of GM in the 1970s. The design was cheap and back then the car was not that reliable, but there was a sports model worth checking out. If you can get an original Chevette Sport model, you will enjoy a two-tone paint job and a fairly peppy driving experience. The Chevette will not compete with an early GTI or CRX, but considering the decade it was from, the Chevette Sport is a solid ride (via The Truth About Cars<\/a>).<\/p>\n The Chevette was a very basic car when it came down to it, so repairs are fairly easy to do. These cars had a good basic engine, it was all the new emissions stuff that GM had to put on top of it that caused the car issues. Nowadays, you can switch a lot of this stuff out for modern parts that will make the car run a lot better. Another great thing about the Chevette is how cheap you can find one for now.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Volvo is a company that has always made great cars but the Volvo 262C is one that certainly stands out from the crowd. Think of this as Volvo’s M3 years before the M3 became a popular car. The Volvo 262C has a determined stance and lines that are different from any other Volvo model you have ever seen. The engine under the hood is one of the best put-in Volvo models. The 262C is one of the rarest Volvo models on the road, and part of the reason for that is the engine (via Hemmings<\/a>).<\/p>\n When you think of a cool classic car<\/a>, the Volvo brand name probably isn’t the first thing that rings a bell. But the Volvo 260C is a unique car that offers that one-of-a-kind Swedish driving experience that only Volvo can offer. Plus, this car is rare, which means most people haven’t even gotten to see one in person. With the right maintenance and upkeep, the 260C is a car that will provide years of fun driving<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n For the most part, Mercury was always in the shadows of Ford. That is both good and bad when it comes to the values of the cars. Because there were a few Mercury models that were affordable and cool looking. The Bobcat is a car based on the Pinto, but it had its unique personality. Available in a few one-of-a-kind colors, the Bobcat had differentiating features like a waterfall grill. Considering the wide availability of upgrades for this car, the Bobcat is worth finding (via Motorcities<\/a>).<\/p>\n The Bobcat is a showstopper when you look at how unique the car is. If you’ve always liked the Pinto but wanted something just a bit different, the Bobcat might be that car. There are plenty of modern upgrades that you could do to the Bobcat to make it stand out even more.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Although the 1970s had one of the worst economies in history, some cool-looking rides hit the market. The Stutz Blackhawk was a car designed by a banker, James O’Donnell. He wanted a luxurious car that was luxurious and American-made, thus the Stutz Blackhawk hit the market. This car was the pinnacle of everything you’d want in a two-door luxury coupe<\/a> at the time. The Blackhawk has become the collector’s item (via Below The Rada<\/a>r).<\/p>\n The Blackhawk is perhaps one of the most unusual cars to come out of the 1970s. It has a lot of potential whether you keep it exactly how it came from the factory or upgrade it. There is such a unique look and feel to the car that you will never drive anything else like it on the road.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Two-seat passenger cars<\/a> were popular in the 1970s. If you think about it, the interiors were so large that these cars could still be used as family vehicles, unlike today’s coupe models. The Cordoba was a car that competed against the likes of the Chevrolet Monte Carlo and the Oldsmobile Cutlass. The car had a lot going for it in terms of style, and the interior was upmarket but the engine was not reliable at all (via Medium<\/a>).<\/p>\n Because the factory engine is not the best in these cars, you can generally find them for an affordable price. With a relatively modest upgrade, you could bring Cordoba into the modern era and have a beautiful weekend cruiser. The styling of this car was great, and the fact that it is relatively forgotten means you can keep it on the road for a cheap price.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The AMC Hornet is another muscle car from this era that should not be forgotten. Although the Hornet was panned when it was brand new, this car has much potential. The first thing you’ll notice about the Hornet is the pitbull-like styling of the car. The factory V8 engine in the Hornet was not that great, but nowadays you can swap it out for a GM example. With the reasonable amount of upgrades that you can get for the Hornet, this car is one of the most overlooked models from this era (via Curbside Classic<\/a>).<\/p>\n With a little work, the Hornet 360 can be transformed into a modern muscle car<\/a> with a lot of potential. The styling of the car is still quite handsome, and there is a lot to like about the car. Not to mention that AMC parts are generally cheap to come across. If you got the Hornet for a cheap enough price, you could even upgrade to a GM crate engine<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Dodge Dart is not a name that usually comes to mind when you think of performance. But there was a lot to like about the Dart in the 1970s, as the car was much more performance-oriented. The Dart Swinger was a special edition<\/a> of the car that came with a 340ci V8 engine and 245HP straight from the factory. The car was not only powerful but also one of the best-looking Dodge<\/a> models on the road. Enthusiasts liked the lightweight body and design of the car (via Barn Finds<\/a>).<\/p>\n The Dart Swinger had all the makings of a great muscle car<\/a>. Its styling was excellent and its performance was out of this world. The build quality of this variation of the Dart also made it a great ride. The engine was reliable, and the parts are easy to come by. With the right modifications, the Dart Swinger is a car that will turn heads at every car show.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The El Camino is a great car with a unique look. There aren’t many cars that looked like the El Camino did. It was a combination of a pickup truck<\/a> and a muscle car, which was unique at the time. Although it was not the sales success that GM had hoped for, the car was made for a long time. These cars can be affordable<\/a> or expensive, depending on the model year you go for. The El Camino was built using many common parts that you could find in other GM vehicles (via Car Gurus<\/a>).<\/p>\n With the right amount of work, the El Camino can be a stand-out muscle car<\/a>. There are many common modifications<\/a> that you can buy for the car that will take it to the next level. The GM LS series engines are easy to get as a crate motor and upgrade the El Camino to a modern performance car<\/a>. You will never see another car like the El Camino again, which makes this one of the most unique cars to come out of the 1970s.<\/p>\n <\/p>\nMazda Cosmo<\/h2>\n
Chevrolet Corvette Stingray<\/h2>\n
1969 Datsun 240Z<\/h2>\n
Ferrari 275 GTB<\/h2>\n
Lotus Elan<\/h2>\n
Alfa Romeo Giulia<\/h2>\n
MG B<\/h2>\n
BMW 2002<\/h2>\n
1960 Chrysler 300F<\/h2>\n
1961 Chevrolet Impala SS<\/h2>\n
Pontiac Catalina 421 Super Duty<\/h2>\n
1961 Oldsmobile Starfire<\/h2>\n
1962 Dodge Dart 412 Max Wedge<\/h2>\n
1962 Plymouth Savoy Super Stock 413<\/h2>\n
1962 Ford Galaxie 406<\/h2>\n
1963 Studebaker Avanti R2<\/h2>\n
1963 Plymouth Max Wedge 426<\/h2>\n
1963 Oldsmobile Jetfire<\/h2>\n
AMC Gremlin<\/h2>\n
Chevrolet Vega<\/h2>\n
Ford Pinto<\/h2>\n
AMC Pacer<\/h2>\n
Ford Mustang Cobra II<\/h2>\n
Plymouth Sapporo<\/h2>\n
Chevy Chevette<\/h2>\n
Volvo 262C<\/h2>\n
Mercury Bobcat<\/h2>\n
Stutz Blackhawk<\/h2>\n
Chrysler Cordoba<\/h2>\n
AMC Hornet 360<\/h2>\n
1970 Dodge Dart Swinger<\/h2>\n
Chevrolet El Camino<\/h2>\n