Top 10 Muscle Cars 1967 — Best Overall + Best Value

Direct Answer

The best muscle car of 1967, judged with a half-century of hindsight, was the Plymouth GTX, a brand-new model that wrapped a standard 375-hp 440 Super Commando big-block (or the optional 425-hp 426 Street Hemi) in a clean, mature B-body. Its 1967 MSRP was $3,178, and it delivered near-Hemi performance for the price of a loaded GTO.

The Best Value of 1967 was the Pontiac Firebird 400, a freshly launched pony car that started at a 1967 MSRP of $2,777 and ran with cars costing far more. The year 1967 was a watershed: it brought the GTX, the Dodge Coronet R/T, the Chevrolet Camaro, the Pontiac Firebird, and the Shelby GT500 all at once, and the muscle wars peaked because of it.

How We Ranked the Top 10

We weighted each contender across six factors, leaning on period road tests (Car and Driver, Motor Trend, Car Life) plus modern collector data from Hagerty and the Mecum and Barrett-Jackson auction records. The split:

• Straight-line performance — 30%. Quarter-mile elapsed times and trap speeds from period testing, gross hp and torque.
• Iconic status and legacy — 20%. How the car shaped the muscle era and how it is remembered now.
• Engine character — 15%. The personality of the powerplant, from the 426 Hemi to the 400-cube small-blocks.
• Value in period — 15%. What a 1967 buyer paid against what the car delivered.
• Style — 10%. Sheetmetal that still moves people.
• Collectibility now — 10%. Current Hagerty values and auction results.

Sources are named in full at the bottom. Every price, horsepower figure, and quarter-mile time below is period-correct and gross-rated, the way Detroit quoted it in 1967.

1. Plymouth GTX 🏆 BEST OVERALL

1967 MSRP: $3,178 | Best for: the buyer who wanted Hemi pace without Hemi temperament

The GTX arrived for 1967 as Plymouth's gentleman's muscle car, and it earned the top spot by pairing standard 440 muscle with genuine polish. The base 440 Super Commando made 375 hp at 4,600 rpm and a thumping 480 lb-ft of torque, good for a quarter-mile around 15.2 seconds at 97 mph in stock trim.

For $546 more you got the 425-hp 426 Street Hemi, which dropped the quarter into the 13.5-second range at 105 mph, and only 720 buyers checked that box. The GTX looked the part with its faux hood scoops, chrome pit-stop gas cap, and twin tape stripes. Today a clean 440 GTX trades in the high five figures, while a documented 1967 Hemi GTX commands deep six-figure money at auction.

Pros:

• Standard 440 power — no need to option up to be fast
• Optional 426 Street Hemi for the brave and the wealthy
• Mature, upscale styling that aged better than most
• Strong collector appreciation, especially Hemi cars

Cons:

• Hemi cars were heavy in the nose and demanded skill
• Base 440 cars are common enough that values trail the rarer Mopars

Verdict: The most complete 1967 muscle car — fast, handsome, and quick to the point without forcing you into the Hemi premium.

2. Chevrolet Camaro SS 396

1967 MSRP: $2,572 (base, before SS group) | Best for: the Mustang shopper who wanted a big-block answer

Chevy's response to the Mustang debuted for 1967, and the SS 396 instantly made the new Camaro a muscle player. The 396 big-block produced 325 hp at 4,800 rpm and 410 lb-ft, with a quarter-mile near 14.9 seconds; the rare L78 version lifted output to 375 hp. The Camaro's tidy proportions and endless options list made it the everyman's bruiser, and the first-year cars are now cornerstone collectibles.

A solid SS 396 sits comfortably in the high five figures, and a verified L78 climbs well past that.

Pros:

• All-new, instantly iconic styling
• Big-block 396 punch in a light body
• Vast option list let buyers build any car they wanted
• Blue-chip first-year collectibility

Cons:

• Nose-heavy with the 396 versus the small-block cars

Verdict: The debut Camaro SS 396 announced GM's pony-car intentions and remains one of 1967's most coveted picks.

3. Pontiac GTO

1967 MSRP: $2,935 | Best for: the buyer who started the muscle craze and stayed loyal

The GTO defined the segment, and for 1967 it grew its V8 to a full 400 cubes. The base four-barrel 400 made 335 hp at 5,000 rpm and 431 lb-ft, with quarter-miles in the 14.2-to-15-second band depending on tune, and the H.O. And Ram Air versions pushed harder.

The GTO was the polished standard-bearer — handsome stacked headlights, a thick torque curve, and badge cachet no rival could match. Hagerty has tracked top 1966-1967 GTOs past $100,000 in like-new, well-optioned form.

Pros:

• The original muscle car with unmatched legacy
• Torque-rich 400 that pulled hard everywhere
• Clean, confident styling
• Strong, stable collector values

Cons:

• No Hemi-tier knockout punch among the heavyweights

Verdict: The car that started it all, still desirable, still quick, and still worth real money.

4. Shelby GT500

1967 MSRP: $4,395 | Best for: the buyer who wanted the most exotic Mustang made

Shelby American introduced the GT500 for 1967, the first big-block Shelby Mustang and the most expensive muscle car on this list. Its 428 Police Interceptor V8 was rated at 355 hp at 5,400 rpm and 420 lb-ft, with quarter-miles around 14.6 to 15 seconds depending on the test.

Fiberglass nose, twin driving lamps, and a fastback profile made it unmistakable. Only 2,048 were built, and that scarcity plus the Shelby name has pushed clean examples into deep six figures, with the one-off Super Snake prototype famously bringing $2.2 million at Mecum.

Pros:

• First big-block Shelby, a true milestone
• Aggressive, exotic styling distinct from a stock Mustang
• Low production drives serious collectibility
• 428 torque with effortless highway pace

Cons:

• The most expensive entry, then and now
• Less brutal at the strip than its price implied

Verdict: The aspirational pick of 1967 — rare, beautiful, and the priciest ticket in the field.

5. Dodge Coronet R/T

1967 MSRP: $3,199 | Best for: the Mopar buyer who wanted Road and Track muscle, not luxury

The Coronet R/T debuted for 1967 as Dodge's road-and-track flagship, the corporate cousin to the GTX. Standard power was the 375-hp 440 Magnum with 480 lb-ft, and the 426 Hemi sat on the option sheet for the determined. Quarter-miles landed near 15 seconds with the 440.

The R/T bundled heavy-duty suspension, bucket seats, and a console as standard, making it a complete performance package straight off the lot. Today a 440 R/T trades in the five-to-six-figure range, with Hemi cars far higher.

Pros:

• Standard 440 Magnum muscle
• Optional 426 Hemi availability
• Performance-focused standard equipment
• Strong Mopar collector following

Cons:

• Lived in the GTX's shadow on the showroom floor

Verdict: A debut-year Mopar heavyweight that delivered everything the GTX did in Dodge clothing.

6. Oldsmobile 442

1967 MSRP: $3,080 (approximate, as equipped) | Best for: the buyer who wanted muscle that also handled

The 442 was the grown-up's muscle car, and for 1967 it balanced brawn with poise better than most. Its 400 V8 made 350 hp at 5,000 rpm and a stout 440 lb-ft, with quarter-miles around 15.5 seconds; the rare W-30 package lifted output to 360 hp and added cold-air induction.

Olds engineering gave the 442 better brakes and suspension than the segment norm, so it cornered as well as it accelerated. W-30 cars are the prizes now, reaching well into six figures, while standard cars average in the high five figures.

Pros:

• Genuine handling to match the power
• Torque-heavy 400 big-block
• Rare W-30 option for collectors
• Understated, classy styling

Cons:

• Never the outright quickest in a straight line

Verdict: The thinking enthusiast's 1967 muscle car, and a strong value among the GM A-bodies.

7. Pontiac Firebird 400 💎 BEST VALUE

1967 MSRP: $2,777 | Best for: the buyer who wanted GTO power in a lighter, cheaper body

The Firebird launched for 1967 as Pontiac's pony car, and the 400 version was the value champion of the year. Its 400 V8 produced 325 hp at 5,200 rpm and 410 lb-ft, and period testers ran quarter-miles from the mid-14s into the low 15s depending on transmission and axle. For well under $3,000 to start, the Firebird 400 ran with cars costing hundreds more, sharing much of the GTO's powertrain in a smaller, sharper package.

Clean examples now average in the mid-$40,000s, making them an accessible way into first-year muscle.

Pros:

• Lowest entry price on this list for big-block pace
• GTO-derived 400 in a lighter body
• Sharp, all-new pony-car styling
• Reasonable collector values today

Cons:

• Front-heavy with the big 400 up front
• Lived under the GTO and Camaro in the spotlight

Verdict: The smart-money muscle car of 1967 — most of the GTO's punch for meaningfully less cash.

8. Ford Fairlane GT 390

1967 MSRP: $3,064 (convertible) | Best for: the Ford loyalist who wanted mid-size muscle

The Fairlane GT carried Ford's mid-size performance banner in 1967 with the 390 big-block. That FE V8 made 335 hp at 4,800 rpm and a strong 427 lb-ft, with the GT/A automatic running quarters in the low-to-mid 14s in lighter trim. The GT added stripes, hood scoops, and a sport interior, giving Ford buyers a stylish answer to the GTO and Chevelle.

Standard cars average in the high five figures today, with the rarest examples climbing far higher at auction.

Pros:

• Torque-rich 390 FE big-block
• Sporty GT trim with real visual presence
• Ford FE reliability and parts support
• Approachable collector pricing

Cons:

• Quarter-mile times trailed the quickest GM and Mopar rivals

Verdict: A handsome, dependable mid-size that rounds out the Ford side of the 1967 muscle field.

9. Buick GS 400

1967 MSRP: $2,956 (approximate) | Best for: the buyer who wanted muscle with a touch of luxury

Buick reworked its Gran Sport for 1967 around an all-new 400 big-block, replacing the old nailhead. The GS 400 made 340 hp at 5,000 rpm and a hefty 440 lb-ft, reaching 60 mph in about 7.6 seconds. Buick's famous finned alloy drum brakes resisted fade better than most, and the cabin carried the brand's upscale feel.

The GS 400 is one of the more underrated muscle cars now, with clean cars still attainable in the five figures.

Pros:

• Strong 440 lb-ft torque figure
• Fade-resistant finned drum brakes
• Upscale, comfortable cabin
• Undervalued in the current market

Cons:

• Lower profile meant softer collector demand than the GTO or Chevelle

Verdict: A refined, torque-rich sleeper that remains a value buy among 1967 muscle.

10. Chevrolet Chevelle SS 396

1967 MSRP: $2,825 | Best for: the buyer who wanted proven big-block muscle on a budget

The Chevelle SS 396 was the established A-body benchmark, and in 1967 it stayed a strong, sensible pick. The base 396 made 325 hp at 4,800 rpm and 410 lb-ft, with the L34 stepping up to 350 hp and the over-the-counter L78 reaching 375 hp. Quarter-miles ran from roughly 14.4 to 14.9 seconds depending on tune.

The clean Coke-bottle styling and bulletproof big-block made it a perennial favorite, and values today span a wide range, from the mid-$20,000s up to $210,000-plus for the best documented L78 cars.

Pros:

• Proven, durable 396 big-block
• Multiple power levels up to the L78
• Timeless A-body styling
• Deep parts and restoration support

Cons:

• A carryover design in a year of bold debuts

Verdict: The dependable, well-priced classic of the bunch — never flashy, always quick, always desirable.

Buyer Decision Tree — Which One Was Right for You?

What to Look For in a 1967 Muscle Car (Then and as a Classic Now)

• Numbers-matching drivetrain. Verify the engine and transmission codes match the VIN and build documentation; a matching-numbers car is worth far more than a swapped one.
• Hemi and GT500 documentation. For a 1967 Hemi GTX, Coronet R/T, or a Shelby GT500, demand a build sheet, fender tag, and ideally registry or Marti-style verification — the premium is enormous and clones are everywhere.
• Clone awareness. Many SS 396, GTO, and 442 cars on the market today are tribute builds made from base models. A clone can be a fine driver, but it should be priced as a clone, not the real thing.
• Rust in the usual places. Check floors, trunk pans, quarters, and frame rails; sheetmetal hides expensive surprises.
• Originality matters less than nostalgia implies. A beautifully restored, correctly equipped driver often delivers more joy per dollar than a chasing-perfection numbers car, unless you are buying purely as an investment-grade collectible.

FAQ

What was the fastest 1967 muscle car? In stock trim the 426 Street Hemi cars — the GTX and Coronet R/T — were the quickest, dipping into the 13-second quarter-mile range, well ahead of the 14-to-15-second big-block field.

Why is 1967 considered such an important muscle car year? Because the GTX, Dodge Coronet R/T, Chevrolet Camaro, Pontiac Firebird, and Shelby GT500 all debuted that single year, flooding the market with new performance models at once.

Which 1967 muscle car is the best value to buy now? Among 1967 cars, the Buick GS 400 and standard Pontiac Firebird 400 remain relatively affordable for the performance and first-year status they offer, with many clean cars still in five-figure territory.

Was the Plymouth GTX really better than the GTO? For outright performance per dollar, yes — the GTX came standard with a 375-hp 440 and offered the 426 Hemi, while the GTO topped out at the 400 cube. The GTO still wins on legacy and badge value.

How much is a 1967 Hemi car worth today? A documented 1967 426 Hemi GTX or Coronet R/T can bring deep six figures at auction, dramatically more than the 440-powered versions of the same cars.

Did the 1967 Shelby GT500 use a 427 or a 428? Production GT500s used the 428 Police Interceptor V8 rated at 355 hp; the famous 427-powered Super Snake was a one-off prototype, not a regular-production car.

Bottom Line

The 1967 model year was the high-water mark of the classic muscle era, the moment when five landmark performance cars arrived together and the horsepower race reached full boil. The Plymouth GTX earned Best Overall by delivering standard 440 muscle, optional Hemi pace, and grown-up styling for a fair price.

The Pontiac Firebird 400 took Best Value, packing GTO-derived power into a lighter, cheaper, sharper body. Whether your loyalty ran to Mopar, GM, or Ford, 1967 gave you a genuinely great car — and six decades later, every one of these ten remains a coveted piece of American history.

Sources

• Hagerty Valuation Tools — 1967 Plymouth GTX, Pontiac GTO, Chevelle SS 396, Camaro, Firebird 400, Coronet R/T, Oldsmobile 442, Buick GS 400, Ford Fairlane GT, Shelby GT500, Mercury Cougar GT (hagerty.com)
• Street Muscle / Dragzine — "'67 Hemi Plymouth GTX 'Silver Bullet'" feature and specs
• HowStuffWorks — 1967 Plymouth Belvedere GTX, 1967 Chevelle SS 396, 1966-1967 Oldsmobile 4-4-2, and 1966-1967 Ford Fairlane GT profiles (musclecars.howstuffworks.com)
• Curbside Classic — "Vintage Car Life Review: 1967 Plymouth GTX" period road test
• Revology Cars / MustangSpecs — 1967 Shelby GT500 history and specifications
• Automobile-Catalog — period performance data for the 1967 Chevelle SS 396, Camaro SS 396, GTO 400, Firebird 400, Fairlane GT 390, and Cougar GT 390
• Mecum and Barrett-Jackson auction results — 1967 muscle car sale records, including the Shelby GT500 Super Snake
• Over-Drive Magazine fact sheets — 1967 Dodge mid-size, Oldsmobile mid-size, Firebird, and Cougar
• Sports Car Market — "1967 Dodge Coronet R/T 440" profile
• Muscle Car Facts — 1967 Pontiac GTO and Oldsmobile 442 statistics

*Muscle car review — 1967 muscle car reviews, rating, best muscle car 1967, and a retrospective review of the top classic muscle car picks for buyers and collectors.*