Sometimes the last of the line can be a steal!

It's funny, but the first of anything is usually pricey and sought after-'55 T-Birds, '64 GTOs, 68 Chargers, etc. In contrast, the last of some models get treated like Rodney Dangerfield-( "No Respect" ). However, these later models can sometimes be screamin' deals, while people fight over the earlier models. Here's some good examples. # 1 1980-81 Z/28 Camaro and Pontiac Firebird Trans-Am / Formula. These are the last of the 2nd generation F-bodies before the big redesign of 1982. Pontiac enthusiasts snub these models because after the 400 cube Pontiac and Olds engines were dropped at the end of 1979, the only engines available were normally aspirated and Turbocharged 301 Pontiacs and 305 Chevy engines. The Ill-fated 301 Turbos were underpowered and had reliability problems, and the 305 Chevys were just underpowered. On the upside they are usually loaded with cool options like WS6 suspension, 4-wheel disc brakes, standard Posi rear ends, T-Tops, A/C power windows, etc. Further, a 400 or 455 will drop right in place of the 301 engines. If you have or want to buy one of the 305 Chevy versions, a 350 or 383 / 400 small-block will bolt right in. 4-speed models had a T10 with a 3.44 1st gear and a 2.28 2nd. Combined with a 3.08 rear end this gives great off-the-line acceleration and easy highway cruising. On the Z/28 front, the 350 was still available in 1980 with the above-mentioned T10 4-speed or a Turbo 350. Automatics had 3.42 axle ratios and 4-speeds had 3.08s. Chevrolet also brought back "Cowl-Induction" this year-a vacuum-operated hood scoop that opened under acceleration. In 1981, for some reason, the 350 was only available with an automatic. If you wanted a 4-speed, you were limited to a 305. Some Canadian-built 1981 Z/28s did have the 350/4-speed combo. However, like the Firebirds, swapping in a larger engine is a no-brainer, bolt-in. # 2 1973 Ford Mustang / Mercury Cougar. In 1974 the awful Pinto-based Mustang II debuted, and the Cougar became based on the Lincoln MKIV / Thunderbird platform. Thus 1973 was the last hurrah for performance Mustangs and Cougars until the mid-'80s. Most have the venerable 351 "Cleveland" engine under the hood. 2bbl versions were rated at 177 hp and 4bbl versions were rated at 266 hp. Transmissions were either a Top-Loader 4-speed or a C6 or FMX automatic. 4-speed versions are rare, and usually pricier than automatics. Rear ends are the bulletproof 9 inch Ford, and axle ratios are 3.00:1, 3.25:1, or 3.50:1. For hot-rodders, the 2bbl heads are actually better for street use. Edelbrock makes 4bbl manifolds that are compatible with 2V  heads. If you want to go real fast, the engine bay will swallow a 429 / 460- ( The 429 was a rare option on some 1971 models, and the 73s are the same body ). And the bellhousing bolt-pattern of the "Cleveland" engines is the same as the 429/460 series. # 3. 1973-76 GM "A" body. The 1968-72 models are overwhelmingly the most popular of the line. However, performance didn't completely die with the major restyling of 1973. You could get a 455 in an Olds Cutlass or Buick Regal until 1975. 1973 was the GTO's last year on the LeMans platform, and the 400 and 455 engines were still available. In 1974 the Goat went to the Ventura / Nova platform and was dropped altogether for 75. However, you could still get a 400 or 455 in a LeMans Sport or Gran Prix until 1976. On the Chevy front, the "SS" package was dropped after 1973, and replaced with the Laguna S3 package. However you could get a 454 big-block in a Chevelle, El Camino, or Monte Carlo until 1975. These cars dominated NASCAR in the late '70's, and are getting popular again. ( Popular Hot Roddings "Project Talledega" 75 Laguna with NASCAR-style graphics and a 408 inch solid-roller small-block ). # 4 1973-74 Plymouth Road Runner. A lot of people snub these cars because they like the styling of the 71-72 models better. Even Chargers of this vintage get some respect-probably because Richard Petty won a ton of races in one until it was outlawed in 1979. Although these Road Runners are virtually forgotten even by Mopar fans, the 400 and 440 engines were still available, with a 4-speed or a 727 Torqueflite, and the 360 versions can be bought really cheap, and still made to run strong.  These cars might not have the curb appeal of their earlier brothers, but from a "Bang for the Buck" perspective, their a screamin' deal. Mastermind