Some cars are consensus classics. The Chevrolet Bel Air, the first generation Corvette, the Ford Mustang Shelby GT500, and the Ferrari F40 are all prominent examples.
Some cars, however, fly under the radar in the discussion. These cars appeal to some — not all — collectors due to their design, reliability, and uniqueness.
Figuring out which cars fall into the underrated category is not a simple process, but we picked out some of our favorites.
No. 1 – Triumph TR6
There is just something appealing about a small, British sports car. Jaguar, Lotus, MG, Morgan, and TVR have all produced vehicles that delight car collectors.
One car, in particular, stands out from the crowd — the Triumph TR6. This two-door roadster first became available with the 1969 model year, and it remained in production through 1976.
This little roadster wasn’t the fastest vehicle in production; it featured a 2.5-litre straight-6 engine with just over 100 horsepower. Yet, it still delivered an entertaining driving experience for car collectors.
Owners of the TR6 could drop the top and head out into the countryside in the little four-speed roadster. They wouldn’t set any speed records, but they would have a blast while navigating tight turns.
Decades later, thousands of TR6s remain in the United States, so collectors can capture this experience for relatively little money. Sure, the Triumph TR6 won’t set any records at Barrett-Jackson, but it will create some lasting memories.
No. 2 – Plymouth Duster
The 1960s and 1970s featured numerous vehicles that fell into the “muscle car” category. The Camaro and Mustang became two of the big-ticket items for collectors years after they first hit the market.
The Plymouth Duster, for comparison, became a relatively popular vehicle for consumers who didn’t want to drive a Maverick or AMC Hornet. Yet, it didn’t have the same level of lasting mainstream appeal as other cars of that era.
The Duster with its Chrysler Slant-Six or LA-series V8 only lasted until 1976. It became a bit of an afterthought as the years progressed, but some collectors have kept its spirit alive with custom builds. They have thrown in larger engines and upgraded numerous other parts to provide that personal touch.
As a result, the prices for a Plymouth Duster now range between $7,000 and $90,000, depending on the condition.
No. 3 – Volkswagen Karmann Ghia
The Volkswagen Karmann Ghia — a classic Italian car produced in Osnabrück. This curvy ride sat on a wider version of the Beetle’s floor pan, but it featured a sports car design.
Obviously, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but the small car turned heads for multiple decades, starting in the 1950s.
It wasn’t the most powerful, with only 30-60 horsepower, depending on the era. Its appeal primarily stemmed from the unique, lightweight design, but it’s a big selling point for collectors who love interesting vehicles.
Of course, this car becomes even more of a classic when you consider that Robert Redford drove one in the 1992 hacking/heist film “Sneakers.” Redford’s Karmann Ghia was a red convertible that he used to cruise around San Francisco.
No. 4 – Chevrolet SS (2014 and after)
The Chevrolet SS is the newest vehicle on this list of examples, yet it deserves a place due to multiple factors. First, it did not have a long life due to external factors. Second, it brought some Australian uniqueness to the United States.
Chevrolet based the SS sedan on the Holden Commodore, a rear-wheel drive sedan exclusive to Australia. It boasted a 6.2-liter V8 engine that delivered 415 horsepower. Chevrolet paired it with a 6-speed manual.
The Chevrolet SS performance sedan went on sale in 2013 and remained available through 2017. However, it ceased production when GM discontinued the Holden Commodore in 2017.
This Chevrolet SS, which also became the flagship vehicle in NASCAR, delivered a truly fun driving experience for around $44,000. It continues to do so eight years later.