With more people than ever before working from home, one of the most popular hobbies to watch from afar ( Top Gear , anyone?) has been classic cars and their restoration. Between auctioning off rusted-out bodies of Datsun 260Z ’ s and restoring the pockmarked leather or molded upholstery, this industry captivates millions of viewers, and home garages around the country are filling up with classics in need of a do-over. Here are five of the most sought -after classic cars of 2022 !
The Ford Mustang
Arguably one of the most iconic muscle cars of all time, the first-generation Ford Mustang came out late in 1964, just before Ford began produc ing their 1965 vehicles. With an affordable price tag of $2,368, these cars drove th emselves off the lot and into America’s hearts. Each generation had distinct changes, giving every year its own set of fans and its own market of restoration buyers!
1960-80s Chevy Corvette (C2-C4 Models)
Like the Mustang, the wildly popular Corvette had dramatic changes between generations, most markedly between the C2, C3 , and C4 models . While not all Corvettes are created equal, after 64 years of production, Chevy is sure to have a model of a classic Corvette that speaks to your soul.
1979 Datsun S130
Nissan/Datsun has a long and storied history in the United States of trying and failing to get around emissions regulations before modifying the Sportster to sell. With 1979 came their success (and quality emission regulations), as they moved toward a mor e luxurious touring car and away from a focused sports vehicle. With that came a heavier but more elegant design , and the Datsun’s popularity as a renovation classic continues today!
‘ 82- ’ 86 Toyota Supra
As Toyota ’ s halo car in the 80s, the Celica Supra w as a top seller. It was a sleek, sexy, and fun-to-drive sports car. Classic car enthusiasts wanting to refurbish one of these beauties have a challenge ahead when it comes to finding one that wasn’t used as a daily commuter . Still, with the right connectio ns, one can be found with the original Toyota parts that made it a family -friendly staple in the 80s.
1995-1999 Nissan Skyline GT-R
With the R33 turning 25 in 2021 and officially becoming legal to import into the United States, the Nissan Skyline will be the youngest “ classic ” to wrap up our list. In part, their popularity can be attributed to the Fast and Furious franchise, but none can deny the car’s sleek looks and supreme handling if they’ve been lucky enough to sit behind the wheel. Over the years, th e models have been tweaked for handling and strength, with the R33 GT-R a highly sought-after masterpiece in 202 2 . Excluding California and Hawaii, registering these powerful and illustrious sports cars is easy once they’ve reached 25 years old, but beware ! Prices continue to climb , with only 16,668 genuine R33 GT-Rs ever produced !
