The big, ground-pounding machines of the 60's and early 70's are heavily sought-after classics. From the Coke bottle styling of the '68 Dodge Charger and its Big block Hemi's, to the low slung lines of the '63 split-window Corvette, Detroit had something for everyone, and the same still holds true for private collectors and connoisseurs today.
It doesn't take much detective work to find something you would be proud to have maturing in your driveway. And you might be surprised at just how little you would spend to get it. While many classics are going for prices that easily put your mortgage payment to shame, a lot of great examples are still out there and are still very affordable. Mustangs, Novas, and a whole host of Chryslers can still be had for less than $5,000 - you can believe it; it's true.
For the really great deals though, you need to think outside the box. Two words: Station Wagon. Yep, you read it right; the much-maligned family favorite is making a serious comeback. And you might want to get yours while you can, because prices for these babies are on the up and up. Back in the day, many of those station wagons came with the same high horsepower plants their big brothers were using to terrorize the local drag strips every Saturday night. Big blocks were common, and a few even came with a factory four-speed. The Impala, Nova and Dodge Coronet all had wagon models, and from the windshield forward, were nearly identical.
And, contrary to popular myth, there were in fact other car manufacturers besides the big three. AMC is one that turned out a few cool-looking, hot rides. The fastback Marlin, Javelin and the Rebel 'machine' are a few of the names that can still be had for a decent price nowadays. Badges like Oldsmobile, Buick, Pontiac and Mercury are still to be had without breaking the bank though.
This was an era when manufacturers were going head to head to see who could build the biggest, 'baddest' hot rod of them all. This was a time when you really could drive a car off the lot knowing that it shared the same motor and sheet metal as the guy who had just won the Daytona 500. Unfortunately, this was a time we won't see the likes of again. Dad was right; "they don't make 'em like that anymore."
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