10 Big-Block Muscle Cars That Can Still Be Bought For Cheap

Old-school muscle cars are cool no matter what is under the hood, and while there have been some epic small-blocks, it just feels right for a classic street machine to be equipped with a big-block. The problem with that, from a collector's point of view, is that Golden Age rides with monster V-8s can get kind of pricey. Even a Hemi project car is going to be in the six-figures, and the same is true for anything with a Chevrolet 454 LS6, but that doesn't mean there are no affordable big-block classic muscle cars out there.

Affordability is open to interpretation and relative to the consumer. A 1971 Dodge Charger Daytona Hemi sold recently for $3 million, so another one that crossed the auction block at $900,000 seems cheap. Getting a million-dollar ride for under a million is a great deal, but not for a person of average means, as they are both out of the budget. TopSpeed feels like $35,000 is the threshold for cheapness when it comes to classic muscle loaded with killer big-block V-8s, and we've found some pretty spectacular examples under the price.

1974 Chevrolet Chevelle Laguna Type S-3 454

Average Used Price: $5,450

1974 Chevrolet Chevelle Laguna 

The Golden Age of American Muscle was effectively over after 1971, with all the mighty street machines detuned into oblivion. In the coming years, even their badass style morphed into mundane blandness, turning most of the 1970s into the worst decade for cool cars. The Chevrolet Chevelle was refreshed in 1973, but unlike its contemporaries, it was still pretty hot stylistically. It also had a 454-cubic-inch V-8 option, albeit not nearly as powerful as its predecessor. In 1974, the Laguna S-3 replaced the SS as the Chevelle's performance trim, and it was as good as it got that year.

1974 Chevelle Laguna Type S-3 Values

• J.D. Power Average Retail: $5,450
• Hagerty Good Condition: $27,900
• Average Auction Price: $22,900
• High Auction Price: $39,600
• BaT best Deal: $18,000

J.D. Power's average retail price doesn't take into consideration the 454 engine option and is entirely too low. Hagerty's good condition value, however, is more realistic at just under $30,000, and consistent with recent auction sales. Bring a Trailer has by far the best deal, with a matching-numbers 1974 Chevelle Laguna S-3, in great shape, which sold for under $20,000. Because this car falls outside the accepted classic muscle car collector years, it's not as revered, but, man, what an awesome ride, and it's super-affordable.

1971 AMC Javelin SST 401

Average Used Price: $13,000

3/4 side view of 1971 AMC Javelin SST

The American Motors Corporation (AMC) didn't have block designations for their engines, so to say something of theirs is a small-block or big block is kind of a misnomer. It is generally accepted that their 290 and 343 V-8s were small, while their 390s and 401s were big, so a 1971 Javelin SST with a 401-cubic-inch V-8 is, for all intents and purposes, a big-block muscle car. AMCs represent the least expensive collector cars of the classic era, and all of them besides the 1970 Rebel Machine could occupy a spot in this list.

Javelin SST Values

• J.D. Power Average Retail: $13,000
• Hagerty Good Condition: $20,900
• Average Auction Price: $31,973
• High Auction Price: $60,000
• BaT best Deal: $12,500

J.D. Power, which tracks actual used car sales to arrive at their values, says the '71 Javelin SST barely cracks $10,000. Hagerty is a little more generous, placing the value of a good condition, running and driving model at almost double. The auction prices are not outrageous for even a Concours-level car. That slightly modified Javelin SST pictured above went for a couple of bucks over $12,000 and is packing the 390 with some seriously awesome side-pipes, which is one of the big-block steals of the century. The 401 would have been cooler, but sure beats the 304 it replaced.

1972 Ford Gran Torino Sport 429

Average Used Price: $16,000

3/4 side view of 1972 Ford Gran Torino Sport custom

As was stated earlier, the best classic muscle cars were from 1971 or before, and yet somehow the 1972 Ford Gran Torino is legitimately kick-ass. It was not only Clint Eastwood's ride in the neo-classic film Gran Torino, it was also driven by bad guy Fenix in Fast & Furious. The '72 still had access to the 429 Cobra Jet big-block, though it was a bit less powerful than the year before. If an engine can be detuned, it can be re-tuned, and some aftermarket performance parts can easily make this 205-horsepower Cobra Jet super again.

1972 Gran Torino Sport Values

• J.D. Power Average Retail: $16,000
• Hagerty Good Condition: $13,400
• Average Auction Price: $27,708
• High Auction Price: $73,000
• BaT best Deal: $27,250

Both the J.D. Power average retail price and Hagerty good condition value are for a '72 Gran Torino with the 429-cubic-inch V-8, so this is one of the best-kept classic muscle car secrets. That modified blue Gran Torino Sport pictured above, sold for around double its valuation, but still came in well below our $35,000 cap. It was completely restored and even got an engine upgrade. At some point, someone dropped a Ford 460 in it, and during the restoration, it was bored out to 50 cubic inches. Unfortunately, the Bring a Trailer listing doesn't state what kind of power this beast makes, but it is certainly a rival to Dominic Toretto's signature Charger.

1971 Pontiac GT-37 455

Average Used Price: $20,000

3/4 front view of 1971 Pontiac Lemans GT-37

Most people probably have no idea what a Pontiac GT-37 is, and because of that, it's one of the best budget buys for a classic hunk of American muscle. For 1971 only, Pontiac created a special performance version of the LeMans, which came with the 455-cubic-inch V-8 option. In 1971, the Lemans, Tempest, GTO, and GT-37 were all the same car, but with different names and appearance packages. A 455 Judge from that year can run into the hundreds of thousands, while a similarly equipped GT-37 can be had for next to nothing.

1970 Pontiac GT-37 Values

• J.D. Power Average Retail: $20,000
• Hagerty Good Condition: $22,200
• Average Auction Price: $32,356
• High Auction Price: $70,000
• BaT Best Deal: N/A

This is a budget car that might take some work to locate, as they are a bit elusive. Bring a Trailer has never sold one, nor have they auctioned a LeMans with a 455. The auction prices we have listed are for all 1971 Pontiac LeMans cars, most of which were not 455 cars. J.D. Power and Hagerty agree that this is an around-$20,000 car, but this may be a more theoretical situation. The '71 GT-37 pictured above sold at a Mecum auction in 2014 for an undisclosed amount of money, and is the only one we can find that has changed hands.

1969 Plymouth Barracuda Formula S 383

Average Used Price: $22,700

3/4 side view of 1969 Plymouth Barracuda Formula S

The Chrysler 440, as well as its Six-Pack/6 BBL variant, and especially the 426 Street Hemi were the dominant big-blocks of the classic muscle car era, so the sheer awesomeness of the 383 is often underappreciated. When equipped in the smaller 1969 Plymouth Barracuda Formula S, the 383 could power this tragically slept-on ride from 0-60 in 5.9 seconds and a quarter-mile in the low-14s. Its 330 horsepower was almost on par with most 400+ cubic inch pony GM and Ford big-blocks.

1969 Barracuda Values

• J.D. Power Average Retail: $22,700
• Hagerty Good Condition: $38,600
• Average Auction Price: $50,266
• High Auction Price: $132,000
• BaT best Deal: $28,750

Due to the relative obscurity of the decidedly awesome '69 Barracuda Formula S, it's a bargain hunter's dream. J.D. Power has this as a low-$20,000 car, while Hagerty puts a good-condition example closer to $40,000. Much like the Pontiac GT-37, this is a car that doesn't have a bunch of real-world sales to back up the valuations. Bring a Trailer hasn't sold a single 383-equiped '69 Barracuda Formula S, but they have auctioned off some incredible 340-equipped cars, all for under $35,000, so this one might take some work, though it's definitely doable.

1971 Dodge Charger Super Bee 383

Average Used Price: $26,400

3/4 front view of 1971 Dodge Charger Super Bee

The price of the third-gen Dodge Charger, like all classic Mopars, is dependent upon the engine. Hemis can and do go for a half-million bucks, with 440 Six Packs stretching into the six-figure range. Regular 440s are a bit out of range for this list (or maybe not), but 383s can still be found on the cheap. Again, the Chrysler 383-cubic-inch V-8 is a hell of an engine that doesn't get as much respect, and it is a big-block that is ready to rock. A 1971 Charger Super Bee is still pretty awesome with a 383, especially when paired with a four-speed transmission.

1971 Charger Super Bee Values

• J.D. Power Average Retail: $26,400
• Hagerty Good Condition: N/A
• Average Auction Price: $74,712
• High Auction Price: $550,000
• BaT Best Deal: $35,000

The auction prices for a '71 Super Bee are the complete opposite of affordable, but they include Hemi-powered R/Ts, so there is no cause for panic. The J.D. Power average retail price is accurate, with several sales in that price range. This list entry is for a 1971 Charger Super Bee with a 383, but there was actually a 440 car that sold on Bring a Trailer for exactly $35,000, which is our limit. It is not a matching-numbers ride, but it was completely restored and fitted with a replacement V-8. At that price, and with that kind of power upgrade, it's hard to worry that it's not 100 percent original.

1970 Plymouth Road Runner 383

Average Used Price: $27,800

3/4 front view of 1970 Plymouth Road Runner 383

The Plymouth Road Runner was developed as a no-frills street machine that offered insane performance at an affordable price. They now, however, are big-money collectibles, especially the A12 440 6BBL and 426 Street Hemi versions. It may seem like a surprise that a first-gen Road Runner is on the list, but the 383s are a great classic Mopar bargain. Even better, finding a cheap 1970 Road Runner comes with the assurance that it's at least a 383 big-block car, because that was the lowest number of cubic inches available under the hood.

1970 Road Runner Values

• J.D. Power Average Retail: $27,800
• Hagerty Good Condition: N/A
• Average Auction Price: $74,739
• High Auction Price: $195,000
• BaT Best Deal: $38,240

Hagerty has no values for '70 Roadrunner 383s, and the auction prices reflect Hemi, 440 6BBL cars, and Superbirds, but J.D. Power reports that the average price paid is under $30,000. Recently, that Vitamin C 1970 pictured above sold on Bring a Trailer recently for $38,240, which is a bit over our cap, but still qualifies as cheap. It has been completely restored, with a replacement 383, as well as a four-speed transmission with the iconic pistol-grip shifter. Again, the lack of matching numbers, which Mopar aficionados demand, can be overlooked given the quality and price of this classic muscle car.

1970 Mercury Cyclone GT 429

Average Used Price: $31,000

3/4 front view of black 1970 Mercury Cyclone GT 429 Cobra Jet

The 1970 Mercury Cyclone GT is easily the most criminally underrated muscle car of the classic era. Not only does it have bold, aggressive styling, but it could also be equipped with a 429-cubic-inch Cobra Jet V-8, giving it the power to back up its surly attitude. Amazingly enough, 429 Cyclones are also one of the best deals for Golden Age muscle, with values and real-world sales well within our arbitrary price cap. This is another car that will require some sleuthing and diligence to find, as they aren't very common.

1970 Cyclone GT Values

• J.D. Power Average Retail: $31,000
• Hagerty Good Condition: $32,1000
• Average Auction Price: $56,344
• High Auction Price: $198,000
• BaT best Deal: $15,750

The auction prices for the '70s are up there, but that's because they include the ultra-rare Cyclone Spoiler. An average Cyclone is a $30,000-ish car according to both J.D. Power and Hagerty, so that fits nicely into anyone's muscle car budget. That gorgeous black 1970 GT sold on Bring a Trailer for around $15,000 which seems almost like someone pulled off a Nigerian Prince scam. The car is in excellent condition, appears to be all-original, and is loaded with a 429 Cobra Jet, four-speed, as well as some sweet Cragar S/S wheels. The engine, transmission, and rims are worth $15,000 on their own, but this comes with the entire rest of the car.

1970 Dodge Coronet Super Bee 383

Average Used Price: $31,400

3/4 rear view of 1970 Dodge Coronet

The Dodge Coronet-based Super Bee is another budget Mopar muscle car that delivered no-frills performance at a wallet-friendly price. They could be ordered with a front bench, no back seats, and no carpets to save a few more bucks, while the 383ci big-block was the "smallest" engine they came equipped with. The 426 Street Hemi was the ultimate option, and the 440 Six Pack was nearly as potent, but a 1970 Super Bee with a 383 was still a legitimate street brawler, capable of a quarter-mile in the low 14s. A non-LS6 454 Chevelle SS or a 429 Gran Torino would get smoked by a 383 Super Bee, and for much less money.

1970 Coronet Super Bee Values

• J.D. Power Average Retail: $31,400
• Hagerty Good Condition: $34,700
• Average Auction Price: $69,115
• High Auction Price: $187,000
• BaT best Deal: $29,000

Super Bee A12 440 Sick Packs and Hemis sell for top-dollar, which is why the auction prices are so high, but still not outrageous compared to other Mopars that sell for millions. J.D. Power's average sale price for a '70 Super Bee with a 383 is only a few thousand below Hagerty's good condition value at slightly under-$35,000, so it's still a budget street machine. Bring a Trailer offers an even better deal with that allegedly orange 1970 Super Bee, which sold for less than $30,000, and is equipped with a replacement 440. It's not a matching-numbers car and has an incorrect paint job, but it is restored and powerful, plus it looks amazing.

1972 Plymouth Road Runner 400

Average Used Price: $33,000

3/4 front view of 1972 Plymouth Road Runner 440

The Chrysler 400-cubic-inch big-block V-8 doesn't get a lot of attention, mostly because it was introduced in 1972, when the Golden Age of American Muscle was basically over. It replaced the 383 in Mopar muscle cars and produced 270 horsepower, which is 60 fewer ponies than the 383, but this was the beginning of the detuned Dead Horsepower Era. It was still better than most other muscle car offerings of the time, and under the hood of a 1972 Plymouth Road Runner, it made for the coolest rides of the model year. The second-gen Road Runner is the least appreciated classic Mopar, but also one of the hottest designs.

1972 Road Runner Values

• J.D. Power Average Retail: $33,000
• Hagerty Good Condition: $22,700
• Average Auction Price: $44,370
• High Auction Price: $80,000
• BaT best Deal: $29,500

It's also the most affordable classic Plymouth, in which even the auction prices don't make potential buyers do a spit take. The average retail price from J.D. Power is under our self-imposed $35,000 ceiling, while Hagerty thinks much less of it with a sub-$23k good condition value. Bring a Trailer has never sold a 1972 Road Runner 400, but they did auction off that killer raked 440 pictured above for less than $30,000 last year. This car lacks originality, but replacing the engine in a '72 with a big-block 440 makes all the sense in the world. This car is clean, mean, and ready to scream, for less than a much weaker matching-numbers Road Runner.