10 of the Best New and Used Convertible Muscle Cars

2019 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Convertible Top Rear Three Quarter ・ Photo by Chevrolet

There were two waves of muscle cars. The first ran from the mid-1960s to the early 1970s, and the second began around 2004 and continues today. Muscle cars are all about horsepower and attitude. Handling is a bonus, but not a priority. The ability to burn rubber and take off in a straight line is essential.

Convertible muscle cars are the ultimate boulevard cruisers. You can see and be seen, confident in the knowledge that you’ve got enough horsepower under your hood to back up your attitude. We’re qualifying our muscle cars by attitude here, rather than by the strict 2+2 definition, so roadsters qualify, too. Here (in alphabetical order by brand) are the 10 of the best new and used convertible muscle cars.

2019 Audi S5 Cabriolet

Is the sophisticated, European 2019 Audi S5 Cabriolet really a muscle car? One look at the spec sheet tells you that the answer is yes, and one drive convinces you that the S5 Cabriolet has all the swagger needed to qualify.

A 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine growls as it produces 349 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive help propel the S5 from 0-60 mph in 4.8 seconds on the way to a top speed of 155 mph (electronically limited). Not only is the S5 quick and fast, but it's also packed with technology like Audi MMI Navigation Plus with MMI touch and the Audi Virtual Cockpit. Prices start at $65,100.

Photo by Audi

2019 BMW 440i Convertible

Another European entry into the convertible muscle car range, the 2019 BMW 440i convertible packs a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged inline six-cylinder gasoline engine (322 hp/332 lb-ft of torque) hooked up to an eight-speed automatic transmission with rear-wheel drive.

While it is capable of scooting from 0-60 mph in 5.1 seconds, the 440i is all about stance. The way the convertible crouches over its wheels like a panther ready to pounce is compelling, and the engine has the growl to back it up. Prices start at $60,000. Add all-wheel drive for $2,000, and you’ve got a muscle car that can handle the curves even better. And the M-Sport Design trim level (starting at $63,100) adds even more muscular appeal to the package.

Photo by BMW

2019 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Convertible

The first roadster on our list of the best new and used convertible muscle cars is the open-top version of America’s sports car, the 2019 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray convertible. Corvette fans divide themselves into factions based on generations of production. The current seventh-generation C7 Corvette (on sale since 2014) is the best yet. 

Details keep trickling out about the mid-engine C8 Corvette, which will move the Corvette from the fringe of the muscle car genre firmly into supercar territory. But the Stingray convertible (starting at $61,495) comes with a naturally aspirated (non-turbo) 6.2-liter V8 that pumps out 455 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque, and is capable of roaring from 0-60 mph in 3.7 seconds. By the time anyone has the nerve to claim that your Corvette is not a muscle car, they’ll be seeing your taillights in the distance. 

Photo by Chevrolet

2019 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible ZL1

The Chevy Camaro owes a debt of gratitude to the Ford Mustang — twice over. It was GM’s reaction to the popular pony car when it debuted as a 1967 model, and it was revived in 2010 (after being discontinued in 2002) in response to the Mustang’s own revitalization.

The 2019 Chevrolet Camaro convertible is part of the sixth generation of production (2016 to present) and features the most potent muscle car in the lineup to date: the ZL1. A supercharged 6.2-liter V8 engine is stuffed under the bulging hood, belting out 650 hp and 650 lb-ft of torque, with a six-speed manual transmission with rev-matching sending power to the rear wheels (a 10-speed automatic with paddle shifters is available). A dual-mode exhaust opens up to let your friends hear the V8’s sweet music. Prices for the 2019 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 convertible start at $68,995.

Photo by Chevrolet

2008-10 Dodge Viper SRT-10 Roadster

The second roadster on our list is one of the most outrageous convertible muscle cars ever built, the 2008 to 2010 Dodge Viper SRT-10 Roadster. The Viper looks like the fantasy doodles of an adolescent muscle car fan brought to life with its long hood, piercing eyes, and bulging fenders. But it is a genuinely menacing performance car, especially when packed with a potent 8.4-liter V10 engine — featuring 600 hp and 560 lb-ft of torque — that can smoke tires and scare pedestrians with its roaring exhaust note.

Long and low, the Viper cuts a commanding figure on the boulevard, and with its manual soft top stowed, is actually comfortable and drivable (as opposed to the claustrophobic coupe). When new, the 2008 Dodge Viper SRT-10 Roadster cost $86,000. Current values start at around $51,000 — if you can find one.

Photo by Dodge

2019 Ford Mustang GT Premium Convertible

The Mustang has been around for over 50 years, keeping the torch lit for muscle cars in the US. The current sixth-generation (2015 to present) Mustang is the best yet, with a four-wheel independent suspension and a wide range of powertrain options.

The sweet spot in the lineup is the 2019 Ford Mustang GT Premium convertible. It features the classic muscle car engine, a naturally aspirated V8. This one displaces 5.0 liters (305 cubic inches) and is tuned to produce 460 hp and 420 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed manual transmission with rev-matching is standard, while a 10-speed automatic is available for $1,595. The sleek convertible oozes retro charm while delivering blistering performance at a very reasonable starting price of $44,855.

Photo by Ford

2019 Jaguar F-Type Convertible 3.0L

The third and final roadster in our roundup of new and used convertible muscle cars is the gorgeous and potent 2019 Jaguar F-TYPE Convertible 3.0L. First introduced as a 2013 model, the F-Type convertible is a front-engine/rear-wheel drive roadster that carries on the legacy of great Jaguar design, hearkening back to the E-Type of the 1960s and '70s.

Packing a supercharged 3.0-liter V6 gasoline engine under its long hood, the F-Type puts out 340 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque, enough to propel the roadster from a standing start to 60 mph in 5.1 seconds. Unlike the stark appointments of earlier muscle cars, the F-Type is loaded with premium features and a very high level of fit and finish. Prices start at $74,200. 

Photo by Jaguar

2019 Mercedes-Benz AMG C63 S Cabriolet

The final European entry in our convertible muscle car roundup comes from the performance geniuses at Mercedes-Benz’s AMG division. While the base C-Class is a fine vehicle, it is far from a muscle car in stock trim. But turn the convertible over to AMG and let its engineers work their magic, and you come out with a 2019 Mercedes-Benz AMG C63 S Cabriolet that is smoking hot and bulging with muscular appeal.

AMG body modifications transform the compact convertible into an aerodynamic, menacing machine. And it’s not just a looker. Under the hood, a hand-built twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 engine (503 hp/516 lb-ft of torque) lurks, capable of going from 0-60 mph in 3.9 seconds. All that performance with Mercedes-Benz smoothness and quality, and a starting price of $83,800.

Photo by Mercedes-AMG

1970-74 Plymouth Barracuda Convertible

A legendary muscle car, the 1970-74 Plymouth Barracuda convertible is the Holy Grail of muscle cars. While most of the convertible muscle cars on our list are more sophisticated and refined than the 'Cuda, none can match the pure style and design of this time capsule. The Barracuda was in production for only 10 years (1964–1974), and peaked with the wild design of the final generation.

The 7.0-liter (426 cubic-inch) Hemi V8 engine is the treasured version, rated at 425 hp. High-impact colors like Lime Light, Bahama Yellow, Tor Red, Lemon Twist, Curious Yellow, Vitamin C, In-Violet, Sassy Grass, and Moulin Rouge made the Barracuda stand out from the crowd. Prices for 1970 Plymouth Barracuda convertible originally started at $3,433. A well-sorted example can run $50,000 and up today.

Photo by Greg Gjerdingen

1969-71 Pontiac GTO Judge Convertible

The icon of the muscle car era, the Pontiac GTO was the brainchild of John DeLorean, who came up with the idea of beefing up the performance of an everyday 1964 Pontiac Tempest. In 1966, the GTO became its own model, and in 1969, the best version of the GTO debuted: the 1969-71 Pontiac GTO Judge convertible. It wore trippy “Judge” decal badges and used the Ram Air III engine, Rally II wheels, a Hurst shifter, and a rear spoiler.

The Judge package added $332 to the price of a base GTO, which started at $3,940. For an additional $389.68, you could upgrade to a Ram Air IV engine — but only five buyers chose this option in 1969, so that’s a very rare convertible indeed. Prices for GTO Judge convertibles can run the gamut, depending on condition and originality, from as low as $50,000 to as high as $550,000.