Most Beautiful Classic Muscle Cars in History

Call me weird or call me a car geek, but I really don't like most of the new sports cars that are hitting dealership lots these days—including the fastest new muscle cars on the market and the many sports cars under $30,000.

You know what it is? The newer muscle cars just don't seem to have the same soul as most of the classic muscle cars in history books. They all look the same, drive the same, and have the same amenities. (Yawn.)

If you look at the heyday of American car design, it's clear that cars used to be a lot more beautiful and way more unique. In fact, I'd wager that any of the cars below would put almost every car on the market to shame in terms of looks and design alone.

1982 Ferrari Testarossa

Often cited as being one of the best muscle cars of the 80s, the Ferrari Testarossa line became one of the most iconic muscle cars in history for both its design and its power. Most notably, people tend to remember the Testarossa as the car detectives drove in the hit show, Miami Vice.

Along with having a stunning V12 engine, the Testarossa became one of the top cars made famous by TV shows during the 80s. These days, its fame lives on in retrowave songs like Kavinsky's "Testarossa Autodrive."

Beautiful? Oh my, yes. Its fame is well deserved in that sense. That's why the Testarossa is regularly cited as one of the most eye-catching muscle cars in history.

1964 Studebaker Super Lark

Studebaker may be a car brand that no longer exists, but that didn't stop them from making some of the most beautiful vintage cars in history. One of their last car productions, the Super Lark, also has the claim of being one of the first muscle cars in history, too.

Oh, and what a beauty it is!

At the time, the Super Lark was one of the most powerful cars on dealerships. High-performance components like a V-8 engine, a stability bar, and a Warner four-speed transmission made this a fun ride built to flaunt its power.

A maximum speed of 130 miles per hour made it a serious racer. Its body design, though, made it one of the prettiest classic muscle cars in history. This just goes to show that Studebaker was a company way ahead of its time, doesn't it?

1966 Shelby 427 Cobra

The Shelby Cobra line was one of the most highly respected car productions to ever be created in the United States. The 1966 Shelby 427 Cobra is the embodiment of why this is, and why so many Shelby Cobras rank among the most expensive vintage cars of all time.

Shelby Cobras were strikingly pretty cars that packed a 427 engine, a powerful punch of torque, and still remained stately enough to make most people turn their heads as they drove by. They were rock star cars, through and through.

Right now, it's safe to say that buying one of these jaw-droppingly beautiful cars will not be within your budget. The 1966 Shelby 427 Cobra is one of the most expensive classic muscle cars in history, with a selling price that's anywhere from $1.5 million to upwards of $7 million per car.

That being said, if they remade these, it's safe to say that we'd all want to buy one.

1965 Shelby Daytona Cobra Coupe

Okay, we're adding another Shelby—but we'll try to cut that out. Otherwise, this entire list would be nothing but Shelby muscle cars from the 60s. This particular coupe is known for its zippy handling and rounded, aerodynamic exterior... and also beating out a Ferrari at Daytona, too.

As with many of the prettiest classic muscle cars in history, buying one of these will mean that you will have to pay a pretty penny. In this case, you would have to shell out around $7 million to get behind the wheel.

1956 BMW 507

Perhaps one of the only 50s cars to get called a muscle car on a regular basis, the 1956 BMW 507 is really hard not to notice. It's a perfect blend between a sports car shape, a pony car attitude, and a muscle car motor. Its V-8 engine, dual twin-barrel carburetors, and slick suspension system made it a powerful machine capable of clocking in at 122 miles per hour.

The BMW might have packed a lot of power, but its real pull was its looks. It was gorgeous—which is a shame, considering that only 252 of these beauties were ever produced.

1970 Lamborghini Miura

With its elegant, stylized design, it's not surprising that the Lamborghini Miura became one of the most popular muscle cars among Hollywood stars, race car drivers, and the super-rich of the time. Even today, it's one of the most striking classic muscle cars in history because of its exterior body design.

That being said, what's under the hood definitely wasn't that bad, either. Its V-12 engine was capable of pushing out a very respectable 360 horsepower, with a maximum speed of 171 miles per hour.

The Lambo Miura was so popular, earlier versions were even brought back in the form of optional cars in the hit video game, Gran Turismo 5.

1963 Corvette Sting Ray

It's a pretty safe bet that any Corvette you see on the road will be pretty. If anything, they're the "pretty boys" of muscle cars, and that's particularly true about the vintage versions, if you ask me. That being said, the Sting Ray still remains one of the prettiest classic muscle cars in history.

It looks aquatic at times, but maneuvered so gracefully. That engine roared, and the overall build was one that would put most pony car designs to shame. How anyone could say this wasn't eyecandy on wheels, we don't know.

1963 Porsche 911

Few cars have the pedigree to match a Porsche 911. Now currently considered to be one of the most reliable muscle cars on dealership lots, the first Porsche 911 to be created was mostly known for being one of the prettiest classic muscle cars in history.

This is a car that had a very human-like quality, but kept things simple in its design. That starkly crisp design paved the way for many sports car designs after it, as well as a number of really amazing car show appearances, too.

1969 Chevrolet Camaro SS

Camaros definitely earned their claim to fame during the classic muscle car era for being beautiful. Even today, gearheads and rappers alike would love to be seen driving one of these babies—and not only because of the bulky-sexy design they have, either.

A car like the 1969 Chevrolet Camaro SS is literally the embodiment of classic all-American muscle. It had 425 horsepower, a top speed of over 120 miles per hour, and some of the most beautiful lines you'll ever see on a sporty classic.

1957 Mercedes 300SL Gullwing

Call me a fool, but the 1957 Mercedes 300SL Gullwing still remains one of the coolest muscle cars ever made by the brand. The gullwing doors, still considered to be a status symbol among car aficionados, are what make this one of the most unique classic muscle cars in history.

However, everything about this car is pretty. It's got a futuristic body with a heavily rounded front, gorgeous wheels, and headlights that just add a special "pop" to it.

Why can't modern cars be this cool?