5 Cheapest and Easiest Classic Muscle Cars To Restore

Though high-powered, American-built cars existed prior to 1964, the Pontiac GTO is often credited for kick-starting the horsepower war that gave us so many iconic muscle cars.

Based on intermediates, pony cars, and compacts, these exciting rides will forever symbolize American automotive greatness.

For many diehard enthusiasts, a fully restored, numbers-matching, low-mileage icon from the golden age of muscle is way too expensive to own, but that doesn't mean that the dream of owning a muscle car has to be impossible to turn into reality.

For those who have the knowledge, tools, garage, and patience, finding and restoring a neglected example is the best way of turning that dream into reality.

So, if you're one of those enthusiasts but haven't decided which model to start with, these are five of the cheapest and easiest classic muscle cars to restore.

Chevrolet Nova (1968 – 1972)

The Chevy II, which took the name of its top trim and became the Chevy Nova in 1968, was mostly a compact grocery-getter that sold extremely well.

But, starting with the 1968 model year, the Super Sport (SS) morphed from an appearance package into a performance option that turned the grocery-getter into a full-blown muscle car. Then, Yenko's 1969 427 SYC and 1970 Deuce further solidified the Nova's muscle car potential.

Since they're not as popular as other entries on our list, third-gen pre-facelift Novas are a lot cheaper, and a good example for your restoration project shouldn't be hard to find.

Sure, if you want an authentic SS, you'll have to search harder and spend more, but if you're not a purist, you can get a two-door survivor in good shape and spend less time (and money) on bringing it back to life.

Parts are easy to find in either authentic or aftermarket replica form, and there's a wealth of information on the entire restoration process. For the engine, you can either source an authentic big block and bring it back to life or go for something modern, like an LS small block, which is often dirt cheap and easy to tune.

Ford Mustang (1965-1968)

Introduced midway through the 1964 model year, the Mustang quickly became a sales sensation that coined the increasingly popular pony car segment.

With ever-more-powerful V8s and performance-oriented submodels added to the lineup throughout the lifespan of the first generation, the 'Stang crossed over into muscle car territory, becoming an icon in the process.

First-gen Mustangs are never quite cheap, particularly if they're GT fastbacks, Mach 1s, or Bosses, but if you're patient and search long enough, you might find a good survivor to restore.

While you'll have to pay a hefty price for the base car if you're hellbent on one of the aforementioned models, parts for the Mustang, especially those built from 1965 to 1968, are still being produced by aftermarket manufacturers, so they'll be easy to find and, most of the time, cheap.

Moreover, you'll find a library's worth of books, countless online forums, and thousands of YouTube videos to guide you through the process.

Chevrolet Camaro (1967 – 1969)

Unleashed on public roads in 1967, the Camaro was Chevy's answer to the Mustang, and in no time, it became its main rival on the street and the track.

Like the 'Stang, the first-gen Camaro is extremely popular today, so many restore shops and enthusiasts are hunting for one that's worth bringing back to life.

While an authentic SS, RS, or Z28 will be harder to find and more expensive to get, even in scrap heap form, finding a cheap, first-gen, V8-powered Camaro that won't require an extensive restoration isn't impossible, considering Chevy built over 200,000 of them.

As is the case with the first-gen Mustang, literally each and every part that you can think of can be sourced either from enthusiasts who keep a stock of authentic components or from aftermarket manufacturers that produce replicas.

In addition, the Camaro also benefits from a dedicated following, so finding information about a complete restoration will be easy.

Oldsmobile Cutlass (1968 – 1972)

For many, the third-gen Oldsmobile Cutlass was a bonafide muscle car only in 4-4-2 guise and a great upscale intermediate without it.

However, since it was available in two-door fastback guise with several 300+ horsepower V8s under the hood, it wasn't far from a genuine muscle car, even without the 4-4-2-exclusive goodies.

Still one of the most beautiful GM A-bodies from the era, the third-gen Cutlass is a bit rearer than the other entries on this list, but since it's not as sought-after, a good, restoration-worthy example is easier and cheaper to find.

Like most A-body intermediates from the era, the Cutlass benefits from readily available aftermarket parts, so getting your hand on the components you'll need to bring it back to the mint condition will be surprisingly easy.

The genuine Olds engines of the era were known for being reliable, so they're worth restoring, but you can also go for a third- or fourth-generation LS if you want something modern and remarkably cheap.

Chevrolet Chevelle (1968-1972)

One of the most popular intermediates of the 1960s and 1970s, the Chevelle received an extensive redesign in 1968, which gave birth to the second generation.

For muscle car enthusiasts, the SS and Yenko Chevelles are the standouts of this generation, particularly those powered by the 396, 427, or 454.

But apart from those iconic muscle car versions, the Chevelle came with a host of powerful small-block V8s that made (and still make) them thrilling.

Nowadays, SS-badged Chevelles are expensive, and barn finds are increasingly rearer, so your best bet is to go with a more conventional two-door coupe version and either turn it into an SS/Yenko replica or a unique tire-shredder, like the one in this article.

Regardless of the restoration route you take, getting your hands on a third-gen shouldn't be hard since Chevy built a whopping 2.4 million units from 1968 to 1972.

Moreover, the Chevelle is a great choice because, like the other models on this list, you'll find each and every part you need, as well as extensive information about anything restoration-related, easily.