10 Classic Cars Under $10k

Budget-conscious classic vehicle enthusiasts and collectors shouldn't give up, as there are still a ton of incredible cars for under $10,000. Finding one of the great historic cars for less than $10,000 will be difficult, but you can give up mileage or condition and still find a remarkable deal. Older vehicles with lots of character are typically the greatest classic automobiles under $10,000. Despite their high mileage and superb condition, they make the ideal project cars for repairs and restorations. For those who don't want to spend a lot of money on their cars but still want something dependable and enjoyable to drive, these cars are fantastic. In this list, we have carefully researched the top classic automobiles under $10,000 based on our ranking system. This comprises the vehicle's state, value, and general car capabilities. 

1962 Ford Thunderbird

Despite being in existence for 50 years, the 1962 Ford Thunderbird is still regarded as one of the best classic vehicles to purchase. With its elegant form and potent engine at the time, the automobile was a real monument to American flair. The listing price for this vintage car is $8,000 or the best offer, and it's in terrific shape. At this price, it is an excellent value for a rare car with a ton of performance potential, albeit the interior probably needs some attention. When in reverse gear, this vehicle's 390 refurbished V8 engine, which is entirely original, provides it with a lot of power and torque. This vehicle's price makes it affordable to purchase, maintain, as well as to insure and fuel. This car stands out from other cars on the road thanks to its unique design and elegant lines. Inside, there is comfortable seating for four passengers in front of a sizable dashboard that has gauges for the temperature, speedometer, tachometer, fuel level, and oil pressure.

1965 Chevrolet Corvair Monza

With so many amenities at such a reasonable price, this 1965 Chevrolet Corvair Monza is a classic automobile. It costs only $9,990 and provides a lot of performance and style. After being repaired in 2015, the Monza is constructed with a 110 horsepower Chevy small-block V8 engine. The back seats were taken into consideration during the creation of the 2-speed GM Powerglide Transmission. Additionally, it boasts power windows, power locks, power steering, power brakes, and air conditioning. Additionally, it offers a comfortable ride, good gas mileage, and security features like airbags and antilock brakes. To give the vehicle a little more contemporary appearance, much of the original equipment, including the floor and rear panels, has been replaced. Despite its age, the speedometer only shows roughly 17,000 miles, indicating that it hasn't been driven very far. It has an extremely low center of gravity and a sleek aerodynamic shape. One of the earliest automobiles with a comprehensive safety design was this one. This vehicle is also quite adaptable and can be used both as a daily driver and for hanging out with friends in the city.

1990 Chevrolet Corvette

The ideal entry-level sports car for people seeking performance and dependability at a reasonable price is the 1990 Chevrolet Corvette. This car's elegant body shape and appealing design will entice you to take it out on the road. The performance and dependability of this range of Corvettes are widely renowned. It boasts power steering, four-wheel disc brakes, and air conditioning. This implies that even in the rain or snow, you can drive this car safely. According to JunkyardMob, the only drawback of this car is that it has a total mileage of 94,000 miles, but with a few changes, you can easily make it a more valued car. The price is presently $9,995. Although this car is dependable and reasonably priced, it does not offer the newest amenities. It is simple to start the engine, and driving is smooth. The interior of the automobile has been carefully maintained and appears great. The car's exterior also looks fine, despite the fact that it may appear worn out due to certain scrapes.

1991 Pontiac Firebird

A well-liked, high-performance classic car that costs under $10,000 is the 1991 Pontiac Firebird. It has a 4-speed automatic transmission and an engine with a maximum output of 170 horsepower. The 5.0L V8 in the Firebird adds some more performance. This model is available in red with multicolored fabric interior upholstery, air conditioning, electric windows, power locks, power steering, power brakes, and more. With a strong engine and features like an aerodynamic body, the Pontiac Firebird was created to be an all-around sports vehicle. In addition, it had a modern appearance that gave it the appearance of an expensive sports car rather than a family sedan. Even though this specific model is only $8,000, it does have 135,846 miles on it. Some people might find this worrisome, yet this is one of the easiest and most affordable automobiles to restore and has lots of contemporary amenities. Additionally, this is the base coupe model with new panel extensions and refreshed front and back style. All of the features from the Sport Appearance Package are also included with this model.

1978 Pontiac Bonneville

This 1978 Pontiac Bonneville was a late 1970s model year vehicle. It is a mid-size automobile with an original 400 V8 engine, a sturdy body, and a premium interior that is in fantastic shape. The fact that this car has never been sold before is a great thing. Only 12,345 miles have been put on the odometer, and the original owner has taken great care of it and kept it in outstanding condition without any significant changes. This is also a fantastic pro-touring or retro cruiser car, and its appeal has only increased in recent years. This is a very valuable and uncommon classic automobile find for only $9,800. In contrast, the Bonneville had a front-engine, front-wheel drive design. The car's twin headlights and four spherical tail lights, one on each corner, gave it a distinctive appearance. It features a fantastic body shape that resembles a muscle automobile, with smooth curves and a long hood. Its retro design makes it a desirable car for anyone looking to enter the vintage car market.

1938 Buick Special

This 1938 Buick Special is one of our favorites thanks to its retro styling, eye-catching red paint, and improved interior. This car has only had a few owners, but it offers a ton of amenities that make it a good pick for a tight budget. It is a 1938 model of two-door sedan that has been available. It can travel up to 80 miles per hour and has a straight V8 engine. The car has some distinctive characteristics, like a foldable windscreen that makes it simpler for passengers to get in and out. The owner states the mileage as zero, although the automobile is presently valued at $8,900. To determine how much use it has received, we advise verifying this before making a purchase. However, upon closer inspection, the car is in superb shape. Aside from a complete rebuild of the motor, other elements have been upgraded, including the heater, wipers, defroster fan, and others. The 6-volt system and reliable 3-speed manual transmission make this car feel much more contemporary than its exterior would suggest. It is highly advised that you add this historic car to your garage for daily use or inexpensive restoration.

1971 Cadillac Eldorado

A classic car with numerous features and good performance on a budget is the 1971 Cadillac Eldorado. It boasts a sophisticated appearance and a strong engine that, with the right setup, can produce up to 365 horsepower. The interior has all burgundy seats and upholstery, and the outside is painted cotillion white. New power steering, power locks, power seats, and power windows are among the interior's enhancements. It has a powerful engine and an automated transmission to handle the road. Long drives are made easy and pleasant by the interior. The convertible power top adds to its allure as a summertime option. The odometer currently shows 59,694 miles, so even though the car has been driven, it still has plenty of life left in it. And it doesn't even account for modifications, making this one of the best historic cars available for around $10,000. The ninth generation of Eldorados includes this 1971 model, which is regarded as one of the most spectacular. It brought back the convertible and included new panel designs, improved seating, and a lamp monitor system.

1965 Ford Mustang

One of the most recognizable vehicles ever is the 1965 Ford Mustang. It is capable of 120 mph and has a 5-liter engine with an aluminum block. The vehicle is a favorite among collectors and enthusiasts all over the world in addition to being an American symbol. In reaction to the Chevrolet Camaro, which had debuted earlier in the year, the Mustang was unveiled in 1964. Due to its popularity, it's easy to obtain affordable components for this classic car that combines tremendous performance and flair. You won't be struck by this car's appearance immediately. It undoubtedly requires a great deal of maintenance, particularly on the exterior where the paint is fading and the interior is a mess. However, a 1965 Mustang that has been restored is very valuable, and this is a good project vehicle. Although we don't suggest this vehicle to everyone, it may be converted into a striking classic car for about $9,500 and 65,746 kilometers. It has a clear title, power top, power steering, and other features. However, it also lacks a lot of components, such as fuel and exhaust lines.

1973 Porsche 914

The 1973 Porsche 914 is a well-known classic automobile that, in better condition, can fetch up to four times the $8,900 asking price. If budget collectors want to add a Porsche to their collection, they need look no further. Rear-wheel drive, mid-engine sports automobile called the 914. It can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 8 seconds and features a flat-six engine with 130 horsepower. For added safety, it also boasts a four-speed manual transmission and front disc brakes. However, this car also requires a significant restoration. Due to certain missing parts, it is currently unable to drive, which is why this vintage car is being sold for such a low price. However, the exterior is still stunning, and parts are easily accessible. It has just 13,887 miles on the odometer and has a Fiat 4 engine. With a black hardtop, the exterior is finished in burnt orange/red paint. All of the original components and the body's steel frame are also included. The cabin might need some improvements, and the chairs could be upgraded. Only the seats, carpets, and pedals are worth replacing, thus this would be an easy fix. Overall, this car is lacking a number of useful amenities like an operating horse, a speedometer, air conditioning, and more. If you can commit to sprucing it up, the returns might be significant.

1979 Mercury Cougar

One of the most reasonably priced historic automobiles and a good option for restoration is the 1979 Mercury Cougar. The car is in fantastic shape right now and is being offered for $9,629; there aren't many noticeable faults. It possessed a lot of cutting-edge technology, including a fuel-injected V6 engine, four-wheel disc brakes, an automated throttle, and a four-speed transmission. Its headlights and taillights were equally distinctive. The wheelbase is 118.0 inches, and the gasoline tank is 21 gallons. There are a total of six seats inside for the driver and many passengers in this wide-body, two-door coupe. A high-performance and reasonably priced classic muscle car is the 1979 Mercury Cougar. It also has modernized rims and expensive wheels. Even though this car has been around for a while, it still functions effectively. In comparison to other versions, the orange exterior is a distinctive shade and undoubtedly rarer. The odometer only shows a total of 62,219 miles, which is helpful when restoring it to boost value.

Great! But How and Where to Find One?

Before buying a classic car, you should do some research on them and make a list of the traits that matter to you most. By doing this, you can later focus your search for a more sophisticated procedure. What decade, for instance, do you want your vehicle to be from? What kind of car do you like best? What about a muscle car? One that converts? Do you desire something that is decades old? Finding the ideal one will be simpler if you are clear on what you want. These are important inquiries to make. A brief search will reveal that this budget is unsuitable for a powerful 1960s muscle car like a Mustang. But buying one in poor shape to refurbish is feasible. The next step is to know where to look. There are numerous possibilities for where to buy vehicles, but it's crucial to know which sources are reliable in order to avoid scams or paying too much. One of the greatest sources to find classic cars at a discount is our rich inventory of Vintage Car Collector, which allows you to find exactly what you need while keeping inside your spending limit. On VCC’s website, you can sort vehicles by numerous features including price (choose “Price - Low to High” to see the budget options first). You can also determine your desired price range, and even select relevant characteristics such as year, make, and model, which will give you results that are customized to your personal needs, wants, and preferences. Vintage Car Collector also has an awesome blog where you can find interesting and useful information on topics like insurance for classic cars, auto restoration shops, tips and tricks for vintage car buyers, advice on how to  properly maintain your classic car, and many more informative articles that will help you succeed in your journey with classics!

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