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This Week on Hagerty Marketplace: Muscle Memory from the 1960s
Welcome to This Week on Hagerty Marketplace, a recurring recap of the previous week’s most noteworthy cars and significant sales from the Hagerty Marketplace online auctions.
This week’s selection is a power trio of long-coveted rides from the ‘60s, when American automakers truly embraced V-8 power, and wrapped those engines with style that still resonates today. Buckle up for a quick spin through some heady muscle-car history.
1969 Chevrolet Camaro RS/SS
Sold for $90,419
The Chevrolet Camaro was introduced as a 1967 model, and wore essentially the same clothes for 1968. The 1970 Camaro was completely redesigned, and that second-generation styling was tweaked in 1974 and ’78, but the basic look carried the Camaro through 1981.
This leaves the 1969 Camaro as the odd duck in the lineup—though it was technically the final year for the first-generation car, the new body was completely different from the 1968 and the 1970 Camaros, leaving it a rare one-year-only design. To have such a brief life, it was a splendid look, edgy where the ’67 and ’68 models were rounded. It was a popular year too, with nearly a quarter-million sold, a number the Camaro would not reach again for nine years.
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Besides the handsome styling, the 1969 Camaro was no slouch under the hood, especially with this SS/RS package—the car in question, a true survivor, has a numbers-matching L48 350-cubic-inch V-8, rated at 300 horsepower. The odometer reads just 15,542 miles, believed to be original.
Despite the commendably low mileage, we can’t help but hope the new owner is willing to take this Camaro out for at least occasional drives. It’s a car that deserves to be seen.
1965 Pontiac GTO
Sold for $46,813
Though we tend to think of the mid-1960s muscle car war being fought by Ford and Chevrolet, there’s no question that Pontiac was a pioneer in that battle in 1964 with the GTO, and called in reinforcements in 1967 with the Firebird. In 1964 and ’65, the GTO was an option package for the Le Mans, and the GTO stood on its own as a separate model starting in 1966.
This particular, heavily-optioned Montero Red GTO has been restored with care. The 1965 GTO was substantially updated from ’64 with improvements that included better brakes—this car has discs up front—and a stiffer suspension, along with updates to the 389-cubic-inch V-8 such as revised cylinder heads and a high-rise intake manifold.
The engine in this car has been rebuilt, but retains its numbers-matching status. With the optional Tri-Power package—meaning it has three two-barrel carburetors—it’s rated at 360 horsepower.
The transmission is the optional four-speed Muncie, with a Hurst shifter. The wheels are genuine Cragar SS alloys, with redline tires. This car was well bought, and should be wonderful for weekend drives to local car shows.
1966 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 Tribute
Sold for $72,760
With the prices for original Shelby Mustangs rising through the roof, these “tribute” cars are making more and more sense if you actually want to drive your car. This one is especially well done, with logical upgrades: After all, if you aren’t trying to pass it off as a genuine ’66 Shelby, why not swap out the standard 289-cubic-inch engine for a new 351-cubic-inch crate motor, rated at 400 horsepower? And then add a five-speed Tremec manual transmission with a Hurst T-handle shifter, along with power four-wheel disc brakes.
This car, representing what might be the sleekest Mustang styling ever, presents itself exceptionally well, particularly with the five-lug, five-spoke wheels and BF Goodrich Radial T/A rubber. It’s an original-looking car that should drive and stop better than the real thing, with no reason to feel bad about adding some to the 78,487 miles already on the odometer.
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Can’t argue with any of these three. In fact, I’d take any one of them. But as long as I’m dreaming I’ll just take all of them.
I like all three but the Pontiac and the Ford are my favorites in this case.
As a Ford guy I really like this GT-350 tribute. Appreciate that the C pillar vents were retained like the 65 ( excepting GT-350 R ) instead of being replaced with the 66 quarter windows. I just think it looks better. The 5 spoke Torque Thrusts, also only used on GT- 350 R, have always been my choice. The upgrades are just enough without loosing the vintage feel of this car I’m betting. That goat is just about perfect in every way when it comes to a GTO as well. Except, and I know I’m in the minority, I’d keep the redlines loose the Cragars.
I am with you on the goat, I prefer factory alloys, or even standard rims with dog dish hub caps.
I like all 3 but would prefer a 69 Firebird 400 with 4 speed to the Camaro. The GTO’s are nice as is the Mustang/GT350 tribute car. But my most favorite of the era is the 69 340 4 speed Barracuda and then a 69 Dart GTS with 383 4 speed.
I was a Camaro owner (‘67 L30/M21), but of these 3, I’d prefer the Mustang. I agree w/Mr Murray, the Torque Thrusts look great, but I’d prefer the ‘66 style quarter windows (to each his own). I’d love to own any of these 3 cars.
where are the max wedge mopars from the 60s
Why is it that automotive writers never include the 1965 Olds 442? That car had bigger standard sway bars front and rear, better handling, more torque from its standard 400 Cubic inch motor in addition to all the attributes of the other “A” body muscle cars. They are more rare, there on less on the roads and yet they never bring the auction prices of your favorites.
Nicky – Factory steels painted the same Montero red ( matches the redlines ) , dog dishes but with the trim rings. Done.
I was a ’75 Camaro owner, which I loved, and I still prefer that over the others.