These Classic American Cars Are Worth a Fortune Now

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Remember when you could pick up a cool old car for a few grand? Well, those days are long gone for some of the most legendary American rides. These cars are rolling pieces of history, and their prices have shot into the stratosphere. From Hollywood icons to rare muscle machines, certain classics have become the ultimate prize for collectors with deep pockets.

Let’s take a spin through 12 American classics that have gone from daily drivers to multi-million-dollar treasures.

1968 Ford Mustang GT 390 “Bullitt”

When you think about American cars in the movies, this is probably the first one that comes to mind. The 1968 Ford Mustang GT 390, also known as “Bullitt,” became a superstar when it was driven by Steve McQueen in the movie Bullitt. The film’s car chase scene, racing through the hilly streets of San Francisco, is considered one of the best chases in film history.

After filming finished, the Mustang was tucked away and basically hidden from the public for decades. That only made it more fascinating. Car fans everywhere wondered if the legendary Bullitt Mustang would ever be found.

In 2020, their patience paid off. The original Bullitt Mustang was discovered, looking rough around the edges but still clearly showing its movie scars. When it hit the auction block, car lovers, movie fans, and investors went wild. The Mustang sold for a staggering $3.74 million.

  • Why it’s special: Driven by the “King of Cool” in one of the greatest car chase scenes ever filmed.
  • Fortune factor: It sold at auction for a jaw-dropping $3.74 million.

1967 Chevrolet Corvette L88

The Corvette has always been America’s sports car, but the L88 is the stuff of legend. Chevrolet deliberately downplayed its power, rating the 427-cubic-inch V8 at 430 horsepower when it really produced closer to 550. It was a barely-tamed race car sold to the public, and with only 20 made in 1967, it’s one of the rarest Corvettes ever.

The L88 was so fast and powerful that only the most serious racers dared to buy one. Chevrolet even discouraged buyers by making the car uncomfortable for street driving.

  • Why it’s special: A factory-built monster hidden in plain sight.
  • Fortune factor: A pristine red-on-red coupe sold for $3.85 million.

1971 Plymouth Hemi ‘Cuda Convertible

When you hear the words “muscle car,” you probably picture something loud, fast, and a little bit wild. The 1971 Plymouth Hemi ’Cuda Convertible fits that description perfectly.

The Hemi ‘Cuda is the pinnacle of muscle car excess. With a massive 426 Hemi engine, wild “High Impact” colors, and a shaker hood, it was designed to intimidate. The convertible version is the rarest of the rare. In 1971, only 11 were ever built, making it one of the most sought-after muscle cars on the planet.

  • Why it’s special: The ultimate combination of horsepower, style, and extreme rarity.
  • Fortune factor: One of these beauties fetched $3.5 million at auction.

1969 Dodge Charger Daytona

Built with racing in mind, the 1969 Dodge Charger Daytona was created for one reason: to destroy the competition in NASCAR. Back in the late 1960s, Daytona races were all about speed, and Dodge wanted to win—badly. To do this, they made the Charger Daytona with a super-pointy nose and a gigantic rear wing. The car looked like a rocket ship on wheels.

The Daytona’s extreme design helped it break records on the track, being the first NASCAR car to hit 200 mph. Because racing rules required carmakers to build “street” versions for the public, Dodge produced about 500 Charger Daytonas for regular people.

  • Why it’s special: A “wing warrior” that brought race-car aerodynamics to the street.
  • Fortune factor: Top examples can command prices close to $1 million, with some reaching even higher.

1962 Shelby Cobra CSX2000

Sometimes one car can change everything. The 1962 Shelby Cobra CSX2000 is that car. Carroll Shelby, a Texas-born racing driver, dreamed of building a sports car that could challenge the best from Europe. He took a lightweight British sports car (the AC Ace) and dropped in a powerful Ford V8 engine. The result was the Shelby Cobra.

The CSX2000 is the very first Cobra ever built. Shelby took this car to car shows and let people test drive it, repainting it multiple times to make it seem like they had built more than just one. That trick worked, and soon, everyone wanted a Cobra.

  • Why it’s special: The genesis of the iconic Shelby Cobra.
  • Fortune factor: As the first of its kind, it sold for an incredible $13.75 million.

1967 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 “Super Snake”

What’s better than a Shelby GT500? A “Super Snake.” This was a one-of-a-kind creation, fitted with the same fire-breathing 427 V8 engine from the GT40 race car that won Le Mans. Built as an engineering prototype for a high-speed tire test, it was deemed too extreme and expensive for production.

The Super Snake was built as a tire test car, meant only to show off what was possible. It was so powerful and expensive to build that Shelby never made any more like it.

  • Why it’s special: The only one ever made; a GT500 with a Le Mans race engine.
  • Fortune factor: This unique piece of Shelby history sold for $2.2 million.

1969 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

Like the L88 Corvette, the ZL1 Camaro was a backdoor special for racers. It featured an all-aluminum 427 V8 engine, making it incredibly powerful and lightweight. The engine alone cost more than a base Camaro, so only 69 were ordered through the COPO (Central Office Production Order) system. It was a drag-strip terror straight from the factory.

  • Why it’s special: An ultra-rare, factory-built drag racer.
  • Fortune factor: These have sold for well over $1 million.

1963 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport

The Grand Sport was a secret project to build a lightweight, world-beating Corvette to take on Shelby’s Cobras. Before General Motors executives could shut the program down, five of these feather-light racers were built. They were secretly sold to privateer race teams and became a legendary “what if” in Corvette history.

  • Why it’s special: A factory skunkworks project that created the ultimate Corvette racer.
  • Fortune factor: While they rarely come up for sale, experts value them between $5 and $10 million.

1954 Pontiac Bonneville Special Motorama Concept

This isn’t a production car, but a “dream car” built for GM’s Motorama auto show. With its bubble-top canopy and futuristic fiberglass body, it looked like a jet fighter for the road. Only two were ever made, and they captured the optimism and space-age design of the 1950s.

  • Why it’s special: A rare glimpse into the future, as imagined in the 1950s.
  • Fortune factor: One of the two concept cars sold for $3.3 million.

1965 Shelby GT350R

The “R” stands for race. This was the competition version of the first Shelby Mustang. Stripped of all creature comforts and packed with performance upgrades, the GT350R was built to win. It was the first Mustang to win a major race, cementing its credibility as a true performance car. Only 34 were ever built.

  • Why it’s special: The first race-winning Shelby Mustang.
  • Fortune factor: The prototype for this model sold for $3.85 million.

1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454 LS6

In 1970, the muscle car wars were at their peak, and the Chevelle SS 454 LS6 was a heavy hitter. Its V8 engine was rated at a massive 450 horsepower, making it one of the most powerful cars of the era. It was the king of the stoplight drags, a big-block monster in a mid-size package.

  • Why it’s special: The highest-horsepower engine of the classic muscle car era.
  • Fortune factor: A convertible version can easily fetch over $250,000, with some exceptional examples nearing half a million.

1935 Duesenberg SSJ

Let’s go way back for this one. Duesenberg was the pinnacle of American luxury and performance in the pre-war era. The SSJ was an incredibly rare, supercharged version with a shortened wheelbase. Only two were ever built, and they were owned by Hollywood royalty: Clark Gable and Gary Cooper.

  • Why it’s special: The ultimate American pre-war car, owned by classic movie stars.
  • Fortune factor: Gary Cooper’s SSJ sold for an astonishing $22 million, making it the most expensive American car ever sold at auction.

Whether it’s their sound or their roaring engines, their cool vintage look, or the stories behind them, these cars are so much more than just a way to get from point A to point B. They’re time capsules and, for some, a ticket to a fortune.

Featured image via Pool BASSIGNAC/STEVENS/Gamma-Rapho/Getty Images

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