The car scene in the United States of America has seen many amazing vehicles over the decades, with several important trends and periods (such as the muscle car era of the ’60s) establishing themselves as part of the American culture. It has seen the rise and fall of many major brands, like the popular Pontiac company that was once the best performance car manufacturer that North America has ever seen.
The annals of history, however, do contain mentions of some rather underrated and underappreciated American cars, that were forgotten by most as time passed. Some of these cars were classic cars from the previous century, while others were more modern and yet underrated.
Surprisingly, these machines have begun to showcase a rise in value, as they are becoming more sought after by collectors who have taken notice of them and their historical significance. Here is a list of 10 such underrated American coupes that might soon become worth a fortune.
All data related to vehicle market valuation was obtained from Hagerty. Any other sources have been linked in the article itself.
10 1963 Mercury Comet S-22
Good Condition Valuation: $16,800 (+6.3%)
Mercury made the S-22 trim of the Comet a compact car that had sportier styling and interior, including bucket seats and a center console. This two-door hardtop coupe had a rather modest engine that generated a mere 164 horsepower. The car looked the part, but in a time when manufacturers like Pontiac and Ford were participating in a horsepower war, Mercury missed the bus for such advancements and ended up being thrown under it. The Comet S-22 is an underappreciated classic that has recently been gaining attention from collectors.
Current Market Valuation:
-
Concours condition:
$22,200 (+2.8%) -
Excellent condition:
$20,400 (+6.3%) -
Good condition:
$16,800 (+6.3%) -
Fair condition:
$10,700 (+5.9%)
In good condition, an example of the 1963 Mercury Comet S-22 will likely be valued at around $16,800, which is 6.3% higher than a few months ago. Slowly but gradually, the car is seeing a rise in value, as the S-22 trim is rather rare, and that makes it important to preserve. The car has been underrated for so long that it has resulted in the remaining examples becoming rarer and rarer with time and now might be a good time to invest in this classic.
9 1973 American Motors Javelin AMX
Good Condition Valuation: $16,800 (+6.3%)
The story behind the Javelin AMX is rather sad, as it was a good car released at a bad time. The 2-door fastback coupe came mounted with a V8 engine that was capable of delivering good horsepower numbers, but due to the malaise era in the 1970s, the AMX became nothing more than a stylish car that was underpowered, just like all the other cars in the market.
Current Market Valuation:
-
Concours condition:
$45,200 (+14.7%) -
Excellent condition:
$32,100 (+14.2%) -
Good condition:
$26,400 (+14.3%) -
Fair condition:
$13,600 (+15.3%)
Nevertheless, the 1973 American Motors Javelin AMX does deliver a decent 255 horsepower, making it a rather competent car for its time. The production of these now-forgotten cars didn’t last for too long, so good condition examples are getting rarer by the minute, making them rise 14.3% in value since last year. Currently standing at around $26,400, the value of these cars might rise further in the future, and it might be a good idea to consider investing in them.
8 1985 Cadillac Eldorado
Good Condition Valuation: $8,300 (+9.2%)
The 1985 Cadillac Eldorado is underrated, which is proven by the fact that it is valued at just around $9,200 on Hagerty, despite the fact that this ’80s car came with a well-equipped interior, plush leather seats, climate control, and so much more.
Current Market Valuation:
-
Concours condition:
$36,900 (+32.3%) -
Excellent condition:
$22,600 (+18.9%) -
Good condition:
$8,300 (+9.2%) -
Fair condition:
$3,600 (+2.9%)
Unsurprising for a 1980s car, the Eldorado had a rather modest power output of just 135 horsepower. However, with a handsome look, comfortable interior, and an undeniably awesome name, surely the car deserves a little more love. Collectors seem to have realized that, as concours condition examples of the car have been showcasing a 32.3% rise in value, making this car an exciting classic to add to the garage for many budget collectors.
7 1974 Ford Mustang II
Good Condition Valuation: $8,400 (+10.5%)
The 1974 Ford Mustang II had poor performance numbers when compared to earlier model years, and these numbers could be described as underwhelming at best. Despite this, Ford made a 3-door hatchback coupe trim of the 6-cylinder pony car that generated a mere 105 horsepower. For the longest time, the Mustang II was not popular among performance car fans, as it was based on the Ford Pinto, which was considered a dangerous and unsafe car.
Current Market Valuation:
-
Concours condition:
$19,200 (+4.9%) -
Excellent condition:
$12,300 (+15%) -
Good condition:
$8,400 (+10.5%) -
Fair condition:
$5,100 (+4.1%)
The Mustang II has recently begun to see a rise in value, as collectors and restomod technicians have begun to collect these machines, either for their showcases, or for utilizing it as a cheap project car. After rising 10.5% in value, the current valuation of the car stands at just around $8,400 in good condition, the 1974 Ford Mustang II has quite a bit of historical significance, and is likely to keep rising in value in the future.
6 1966 Cadillac DeVille
Good Condition Valuation: $18,500 (+15.6%)
The 1966 Cadillac DeVille was a powerful machine that boasted a competent V8 engine generating a power output of 340 horsepower. The car most certainly belonged to the muscle car era and was capable of competing with the big names at the time. Unfortunately, in today’s time, it remains largely forgotten, with its current market value being just around $18,500.
Current Market Valuation:
-
Concours condition:
$53,400 (+10.3%) -
Excellent condition:
$36,100 (+16.1%) -
Good condition:
$18,500 (+15.6%) -
Fair condition:
$10,700 (+10.3%)
One should watch out, however, as the car’s current market value is 15.6% higher than it was a few months ago, and this rising value implies that now might be a good time to consider investing into one of these underrated classic cars.
5 1947 Dodge Deluxe
Good Condition Valuation: $10,000 (+17.6%)
Also known as the Dodge Custom, the 1947 Dodge Deluxe is one of the older Dodge cars that showcases its legacy perfectly. Despite being a 1940s car, this W-door coupe provided ample luxury and spaciousness, and the 6-cylinder engine delivered a power output of 102 horsepower, a respectable number for its time.
Current Market Valuation:
-
Concours condition:
$20,200 (+5.2%) -
Excellent condition:
$15,000 (+7.9%) -
Good condition:
$10,000 (+17.6%) -
Fair condition:
$5,900 (+11.3%)
Despite it showcasing Dodge’s glorious past and historical significance, the 1947 Deluxe is rather underappreciated by collectors, at least until recently. With a 17.6% rise in value, the current valuation of the car stands at just around ten grand, and it might be a great addition to the garage of a budget collector.
4 2002 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am WS6
Good Condition Valuation: $20,400 (+19.3%)
The most modern car on this list, the 2002 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am WS6 looks stylish and futuristic in many ways. The Firebird was one of the last cars to feature the iconic popup headlights that disappeared from the car scene sometime around the early 2000s. The aerodynamic design was coupled with near-perfect weight distribution, and this coupe boasted a competent V8 engine that generated a generous power output of 325 horsepower.
Current Market Valuation:
-
Concours condition:
$45,300 (+19.2%) -
Excellent condition:
$31,200 (+19.1%) -
Good condition:
$20,400 (+19.3%) -
Fair condition:
$13,200 (+15.8%)
A good condition example of the 2002 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am WS6 is valued at around $20,400, which is 19.3% higher than the start of the year, and these numbers have been steadily rising for most last-generation Firebird models. It might be a good idea to consider investing in these cars right now, as their rising values indicate potential profits in the future.
3 1987 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS
Good Condition Valuation: $19,400 (+26.8%)
The 1987 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS comes with a 180 horsepower V8 engine, which may not be enough to raise eyebrows, but the handsome car is still rising in value, with an impressive 26.8% rise in valuation for good condition examples, since last year.
Current Market Valuation:
-
Concours condition:
$43,300 (+26.2%) -
Excellent condition:
$29,400 (+26.7%) -
Good condition:
$19,400 (+26.8%) -
Fair condition:
$11,900 (+26.6%)
At $19,400, the 1987 Chevy Monte Carlo SS is still rather cheap, and for fans of classic cars, this might be a nice budget collectible to add to your garage despite its modest power output as it offers a great suspension system and responsive handling.
2 1994 Lincoln Mark VIII
Good Condition Valuation: $6,800 (+51.1%)
The 1994 Lincoln Mark VIII is a two-door coupe that comes fitted with a 4.6-liter V8 engine that generates a decent 280 horsepower. In recent months, good condition examples of the Mark VIII have seen a 51.1% rise in value, rising to $6,800. The car is still very cheap at auctions, but the gradual rise in value implies that collectors have begun to take notice of this machine’s rather limited numbers and timeless charm.
Current Market Valuation:
-
Concours condition:
$19,000 (+50.8%) -
Excellent condition:
$14,300 (+52.1%) -
Good condition:
$6,800 (+51.1%) -
Fair condition:
$3,500 (+40%)
The Lincoln Mark VIII was ahead of its time, as it came equipped with an amazing set of features, including an intelligent suspension system that lowered the car at high speed to optimize aerodynamics. Now might be a good time to invest in this machine, as the rising values imply that the car is likely going to be worth a lot in the future.
1 1983 Buick Riviera T-Type Turbo
Good Condition Valuation: $12,300 (+53.8%)
The 1983 Buick Riviera T-Type Turbo is a sportier 2-door coupe variant of the base Riviera and comes with a turbocharged V6 engine that, shockingly, only generates 180 horsepower. This goes to show not only how inefficient old V6 engines used to be, but also how the CAFE restrictions ended the era of high-performance cars for a while.
Current Market Valuation:
-
Concours condition:
$34,600 (+8.1%) -
Excellent condition:
$21,500 (+22.9%) -
Good condition:
$12,300 (+53.8%) -
Fair condition:
$5,700 (+35.7%)
Nevertheless, the 1983 Riviera T-Type has been showcasing great growth in its value, with a 53.8% rise since last year, for its good condition examples, which are currently valued at $12,300 on Hagerty. Although this car is not some performance beast to drive down the highway, it could still be a nice budget collectible or an awesome project car to own, as its looks and historical significance are rather underrated.
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