The 1960s weren’t just the golden age of muscle—they were a full-on horsepower arms race. Every major carmaker was building fast, loud, tire-shredding machines, but not all of them flew off the showroom floor. Some became legends because they sold in massive numbers, putting V8 power in the hands of everyday drivers. From the stripped-down Road Runner to the record-setting Mustang, these were the muscle cars that didn’t just perform—they sold like crazy. Let’s not quarrel over the definition of a muscle car, each of the cars came in a variant with real muscle. Here’s a look at the top 10 best-selling muscle cars of the decade, ranked by how many made it into the hands of hungry gearheads.

1. 1968 AMC AMX – 6,725 Units Sold

AMC didn’t play the volume game with the AMX. Just 6,725 units were sold in its debut year, but it left a lasting impression. Powered by a 390-cubic-inch V8 with 315 horsepower, the two-seater coupe was lightweight, fast, and surprisingly aggressive.

It rode on a shortened Javelin platform with a tighter wheelbase for sharper handling. The AMX wasn’t about flashy interiors—it was stripped-down performance. While it couldn’t match Big Three numbers, it gave AMC a legitimate seat at the muscle car table.

2. 1966 Oldsmobile 442 – 54,000+ Units Sold

The 1966 442 carved out a strong following, with over 54,000 sold. It came standard with a 400-cubic-inch V8 pushing out 350 horsepower, giving it solid muscle credentials. Buyers could pair it with a 4-speed or an automatic, depending on how they wanted to cruise.

Olds upgraded the suspension with boxed rear control arms and stiffer springs, making it more composed than some of its rowdier rivals. Inside, it leaned a little toward luxury—but it didn’t hold back when the pedal hit the floor.

3. 1967 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 396 – 63,006 Units Sold

Chevy sold just over 63,000 Chevelle SS 396s in 1967, making it one of the most desirable big-block street cars of the decade. The 396 engine came in multiple flavors, from 325 to 375 horsepower, and delivered torque you could feel.

The SS got heavy-duty suspension, power front discs, and badging that set it apart. The interior could be optioned with bucket seats and a center console. It looked sharp and backed it up with serious performance at the stoplight.

4. 1969 Plymouth Road Runner – 84,420 Units Sold

The Road Runner’s no-frills approach was a hit, with Plymouth moving more than 84,000 units in 1969. Buyers got a standard 383 Magnum V8 with 335 horsepower, and for the brave, the 426 HEMI or 440 Six Barrel was on the table.

The chassis was basic but tough—torsion bars up front, leaf springs in back. Inside? Nothing fancy. This car was about performance without the fluff, and the “beep beep” horn was the perfect signature touch.

5. 1969 Dodge Charger – 89,199 Units Sold

In 1969, the Charger’s aggressive styling and strong engine lineup helped push sales to over 89,000 units. Performance options included the 383, 440 Magnum, and the 426 HEMI—depending on your appetite for speed and budget.

The Charger used Chrysler’s torsion bar front suspension with rear leafs, and the fastback roofline gave it that signature silhouette. Inside, it was roomy and clean with bucket seats and Rallye gauges. Add in pop culture exposure, and you’ve got a muscle icon.

6. 1968 Pontiac Firebird – 107,112 Units Sold

The Firebird wasn’t just a Camaro cousin—it had its own identity, and Pontiac sold over 107,000 of them in 1968. Engine options ranged from an inline-six to a fire-breathing 400 V8 making 330 horsepower.

It used coil springs up front and leaf springs in back, keeping handling tight for the time. The cockpit was clean, driver-focused, and loaded with options. For buyers who wanted something a little different than the Chevy offering, the Firebird delivered.

7. 1967 Mercury Cougar – 150,893 Units Sold

Mercury’s Cougar found success out of the gate, selling nearly 151,000 units in its first year. It was based on the Mustang, but stretched a bit longer and tuned for a smoother ride. Optional engines included the 289 and 390 V8s.

The XR-7 trim added woodgrain panels, toggle switches, and full instrumentation. Hidden headlights gave it a unique look, and the Cougar walked the line between muscle and upscale cool without missing a beat.

8. 1965 Pontiac GTO – 75,352 Units Sold

The GTO was already hot by 1965—and that year, Pontiac moved over 75,000 units. Its 389 V8 with Tri-Power setup made up to 360 horsepower, and buyers had their pick of transmissions and final drive ratios.

Pontiac nailed the formula: aggressive looks, a deep-throated V8, and just enough refinement. The cabin came with bucket seats and optional rally gauges. The GTO wasn’t the first car to go fast, but it made fast cars a sales phenomenon.

9. 1969 Chevrolet Camaro – 243,085 Units Sold

Chevy built and sold over 243,000 Camaros in 1969, the last year of the first generation. The lineup included the base model, SS, RS, and Z/28 trims, with engine options from the 230 straight-six to the 396 big-block.

Handling was solid for the time thanks to front coils, rear multi-leaf springs, and quick-ratio steering. The interior featured rally gauges, a sporty dash, and optional houndstooth seats. Buyers had endless ways to spec it—and clearly, a lot of them did.

10. 1966 Ford Mustang – 607,568 Units Sold

The Mustang was untouchable in 1966. Ford sold over 607,000 units that year, making it not just the best-selling muscle car of the ’60s—but one of the best-selling cars, period.

The GT package added a 225-hp 289 V8, dual exhaust, fog lamps, and disc brakes. Whether you picked a coupe, fastback, or convertible, the Mustang looked fast and felt fun. Inside, you got five round gauges and clean styling. It started the pony car craze—and never looked back.

*This article was hand crafted with AI-powered tools and has been car-fully, I mean carefully, reviewed by our editors.