More "Insurance Beaters" that might be collectible today

In the last post I mentioned how the Plymouth Duster flew under the radar of Ralph Nader, the safety Nazis and exorbitant insurance premiums. Other carmakers caught on, and came up with good-performing cars that would appeal to musclecar buyers, but not get saddled with the high premiums. One was the Pontiac Tempest T-37. Pontiac took a strippy Tempest, put Judge style stripes on it, and Rally II wheels without trim rings. The standard powertrain was a 350 V8 with a 3-speed manual, but the 400 and 455 inch V8s were optional, as was a 4-speed or a 3-speed automatic. The buff magazines of the day called them "The Poor man's GTO." They were only built in 1970 and 71, however in 1972 there was a LeMans GT package that was basically the same. Another was the Olds Rallye 350 Cutlass. This model was made for one year only-1970. They had a super loud sebring yellow paint job, and the bumpers were urethane-coated and body-colored. The had one engine- a 350 Olds rated at 310 hp. Rumors persist that of the 3,527 built that at least 10 were W31 powered, but this has never been verified by an Olds engineer or a car with a build sheet in a magazine. Buick had sold GS 350 Skylarks since 1968, but they were overshadowed by their 400 and 455 inch brothers. However, the option was continued. You basically had all the GS 455 trim, but with a smaller engine. Chevrolet got into the act as well. In 1971 for the first time since 1965-( All SS Chevelles built from 1966-1970 had 396 or 454 big-blocks) you could get a Chevelle SS with a small-block. The 350s were rated at 270 hp and ran well. The big-blocks were still optional as well. They also introduced the "Heavy Chevy" which was a 2 dr Malibu with a blacked-out grille, domed SS style hood, and slotted 14 inch rally wheels. Engine choices ranged from a 307 with a 2bbl, to two 350s-one with a 2bbl, the other a 4-bbl, to the 402 big-block. The 454 wasn't optional in the "Heavy Chevy" for some reason. These were built in 1971-72. Chrysler followed GM's lead and in 1971 for the first time offered the 340 in the Charger and the Road Runner, although the 383, 440, and 426 Hemis were still available. In 1972 the Hemi and the 440 Six-Pack were dropped. These cars have some collectiblity to them, and bring more than say a base-model Malibu, or 318 Satellite, and they are fun to drive. But don't pay much more than base-model prices for one. I mean face it-a pristine T-37 is still a 350 Tempest with bench seats, not a Ram Air IV Judge. A "Heavy Chevy" is a 2 dr Malibu with an SS hood, not an LS6, or even a for-real SS396. With that in mind, you might find a great car at a reasonable price. Mastermind