When you think of the type of vehicles that gearheads dream of stumbling across during a barn find, chances are a 1950s coupe or a 60s big block muscle car come to mind.
That’s not to say that there aren’t collectable classics from other decades. In today’s market, though, nothing seems to hold its value as much as a piece of American engineering from 50 or 60 years ago.
But trends change, and with the influx of performance cars currently available, there’s never been a better time to buy a ride and sit on the investment.
Who knows, one of the cars on this list may one day become as desirable as a Chevelle 454 or split-window Corvette.
Chevrolet SS
Although you can no longer purchase one new since its run officially came to an end last year, the Chevy SS was the ultimate beacon of hope for the resurgence of the rear-wheel drive V8 sedan.
Perhaps what killed it was the fact that the public didn’t exactly know what the car strived to be. Was GM’s version of the Holden Commodore a modern-day hot rod? Or was it a five-person hauler?
With a 6.2 L LS3 taken from a C3 Corvette and 16.4 ft³ of cargo space, the answer was both. Before its 2013 introduction, it had been 17 years since Chevy had a rear-wheel drive V8 sedan in its lineup, so who knows how long it’ll be until the next one is offered.
And because only 12,860 were sold during its four-year lifespan, the SS will eventually appreciate well beyond its $47,000 price tag.
Kia Stinger
If you thought Kia couldn’t make a vehicle that rivals the best American and European sport sedans, you’ve never seen a Stinger. A four-door fastback based on the Hyundai Genesis platform, the Stinger is the car for those who want the power and luxury of a BMW 3-Series, but for the price of, well, a Kia.
The base model starts at just under $32,000 and features a turbo four that puts out 253-hp. Yet, for just $7,000 more, you could opt for the GT, which has a 3.3 L twin-turbo V6 capable of reaching 0-60 in 4.6 seconds.
Though a niche market, the sport sedan segment is here to stay. And due to rave reviews that praise its price, performance and handling, it’s likely that the Stinger will be a car that will age gracefully, like the early 90s Ford Taurus SHO.
Dodge SRT Hellcat/Demon
There’s a reason the SRT Hellcat and Demon, two souped-up versions of Dodge’s signature Challenger, have been criticized for being a little over the top in terms of power. Simply put, some think that 707 and 840 horsepower, respectively, is unnecessary.
Others, however, perceive it as a fundamental right that continually pushes the envelope on a car that you can take to the drag strip Saturday night and drive to church the following morning.
The starting prices – $64,000 for the Hellcat and $85,000 for the Demin – are most likely out of the average consumer’s budget, but if you have the money, picking one up wouldn’t be a bad move.
No one knows how long these beasts will be produced, so it’s only a matter of time until both become vehicles that you see more in an auto museum than on the street.
If you have a soon-to-be classic that’s in need of bodywork so it shines at the next car cruise, give Andy’s Auto Service in Bridgeville a call at 412-478-9304 to schedule an appointment.
