If you can't afford '60's muscle, consider these gems from the '70's & '80s!

Classic 1960s muscle is getting more scarce and expensive all the time, and may be out of a lot of people's price range. However, there are still a lot of great buys out there from the '70's and '80's for reasonable prices-say in the under 10-15K range.  # 1. 1970-79 Pontiac Firebird Formula 400. Even Disco era T/A's are commanding big dollars now, but you can still find a deal on a Formula, and except for the spoilers and graphics, they are the same car. Wrist-thick front and rear sway bars, front disc brakes, a posi rear end, full instrumentation and 400 cubes under the hood. Transmissions, depending on year are either a Muncie or BW T10 4-speed or a Turbo 400 or 350.  Some 1977-79 California and high altitude models may have 403 Olds engines. There was also a "Formula 350" version from 1971-77, that had, obviously, 350 Pontiac engines. These make great drivers, or a 400 or 455 will bolt right in.  # 2. 1974-80 Chevrolet Corvette. The vaunted Rat motors were gone by 1974, but these cars are still a screaming bargain. I have seen clean, good running examples on used car lots, and on the internet as low as $3995!  Most have L48 350 power and either a 4-speed or a Turbo 350. L82s are a little pricier, but still within range. # 3. 1985-91 Chevrolet Corvette. These cars are kind of overlooked by Vette afficionados in favor of the later LT1 and LS1 models, but they too are a screaming bargain. The Tuned Port Injected L98 350 makes about 250hp stock, and that can be upped by 100 or 150 very easily and still be emissions-legal.  # 4. 1987-93 Ford "5.0" Mustang. These are generally regarded as the most reliable and best performing. 225 hp stock, and that can be upped to 350-375 with bolt-on parts. I see these cars as low as $2,000 all the time. There is probably more speed equipment available for this car than anything else on the planet.  Tremendous bang for the buck. # 5. 1985-88 Buick Grand National / Regal T-Type. Clean examples of these are at the top of our price range, but worth it. Underrated by 100 at 245 hp, these cars ran very low 14s and very high 13s off the showroom floor. Don't buy 1983 or 84 models, they were carburated and not nearly as fast or reliable as the fuel-injected models. # 6 1987-92 L98 Z/28 Camaro / Pontiac Firebird Formula / Trans-Am. While most 3rd generation GM F-bodies had 305 motivation, you could get the L98 Corvette 350 as an option. No manual trans option, their all 700R4 automatics, as the T-5 stick only had a 300 lbs ft. torque rating, which was below the L98s 330-345 ( Depending on bodystyle ) lb ft rating. These make great sleepers. Might not be your '60's dream car, but you can still go fast and have a ball in these!  Mastermind