Overshadowed by their more popular competition, these cars are now some of the best bang-for-the-buck classic muscle you can buy.

Some automobile enthusiasts cite the Pontiac GTO as the first muscle car, however, many others credit the 1949 Oldsmobile Rocket 88 with the title. Muscle cars have been around as far back as the 1950s, but the class didn't get its huge break till the 1960s. In 1964, the GTO debuted with its 389 V8 and started the first real muscle car era.

The early Mustangs, which were referred to as pony cars, hit the ground running and achieved massive sales success. As a result, other manufacturers copied the trend and started building small sporty coupes with powerful V8s, such as the Camaro and Javelin. These cars blurred the lines between pony and muscle cars. So It's acceptable to call Mustangs, Camaros and the like, provided they're sporting the bigger V8s, muscle cars as well. Today, American muscle cars from the '60s and '70s are still celebrated, however, other muscle cars from that era seem to have faded into the background. As a result, they're not as expensive as popular rivals. Here, we highlight ten forgotten muscle cars you can now get as used cars for a bargain price.

The Mercury division of Ford has been defunct for over a decade, so it's no surprise that its cars are mostly forgotten. In 1964, the Mercury Cyclone was introduced, and it was a clone of Ford's experimental car – the Fairlane Thunderbolt. During the Cyclone's production years, it was overshadowed by other muscle cars including the Mercury Montego.

By 1971, Mercury ended production of the Cyclone, but in 1974, they offered the model as a package option for the Mercury Montego. The 1964 Mercury Cyclone can now be gotten for around $23,995 - $50,000.

Even though the 70s was a great time for muscle cars, the manufacturers seem to have faced lots of obstacles. Firstly, there were increasing fuel costs and then, increased insurance for muscle cars with big-block engines. Available only in a striking yellow color, the Oldsmobile Rallye 350 changed the game with its release in 1970.

To overcome the challenges, the Oldsmobile Rallye 350 was built without a big-block engine. Instead, the manufacturer used a 350 cubic inch V8 with 310 horsepower output. Only 3,547 units were made and after 1970, the model was discontinued. Oldsmobile dealers had a difficult time selling the car. You can get the 1970 Oldsmobile Rallye 350 for about $25,000 to $42,995.

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If there's one thing you should know about the Chrysler Hurst 300, it's that it was long. At 225 inches of length, the Hurst 300 was considered one of the longest muscle cars of its time. The Chrysler Hurst 300 was a collaboration between Chrysler Corporation and George Hurst of Hurst Performance.

Most importantly, the muscle car was built to advertise and promote the Hurst shifter. The Hurst shifter later became a huge success and sensation in the 70s. A 1970 Chrysler Hurst 300 could be gotten for $29,000 to $41,800.

Before Buick released the Wildcat, they built three different experimental cars with the Wildcat name and badge. Since the Wildcat was Buick's first take on performance cars, they used the concept cars to test and analyze their potential market. The Buick Wildcat is an iconic luxury muscle car that was marketed as a sporty family car.

The Wildcat was available in many body styles including convertible, four-door hardtop, two-door hardtop, and sedan. Most Buick Wildcats are sold at auctions, but you can buy a 1967 model for about $37,500 to $63,000.

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Many people born after the '80s might not remember AMC (American Motors Corporation) as the company went defunct in 1988. Though the AMC Rebel Machine is grossly underrated and doesn't get as much love as other classic cars, it was once a hit in the US. The vehicle is even sometimes referred to as one of the best of its time.

For power, AMC provided the Rebel Machine with a standard V8 engine that produced 340 horsepower and 430 lb-ft of torque. According to NADA pricing, an AMC Rebel Machine in good condition is worth $50,000 and above. However, with about $39,500 to $63,000, you can own this collectible.

Amongst all the cars AMC produced, the Hornet and Gremlin models are the best-selling. Unlike the AMC Rebel Machine, the AMC Hornet SC/360 was conventionally styled, and the Hornet is a small car. Despite its humble origins, the AMC Hornet SC/360 had exceptional handling and cornering capabilities.

The muscle car had a standard 245 horsepower, 360 c.i. 2-barrel V8. The "Go" package upgraded that V8 with a 4-barrel carb, dual exhaust and a ram-air hood scoop that produced 285 hp. Due to increased premiums, AMC ended up making only 784 units. Since the AMC Hornet SC/360 is a rare collectible, you'll pay anywhere from $50,000 to $70,000.

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Everyone always talks about the awesome Pontiac GTO, and rightly so, but almost nobody remembers the 1974 Pontiac Ventura-based GTO. Some gearheads still argue that the this car should not have been called a GTO.

Even though Pontiac labeled this Ventura model as a GTO, the vehicle is simply a compact muscle car. Also, due to its not exactly thrilling performance, the Ventura GTO suffered from poor sales in 1974. We can't blame Pontiac because it was the 1970s and so much was happening in the automobile scene. The company also didn't have much of a budget. Today, you can get the Pontiac Ventura GTO for around $35,000 - $50,000.

The Buick GNX was made as a high-performance limited edition of the Buick Grand National. To achieve the project, Buick collaborated with McLaren Engines and ASC Incorporated. They modified the Grand National's turbocharged V6 engine, suspension system, wheels, and the exhaust system.

As a result of the modifications, the Buick GNX could complete 0-60mph in 4.7 seconds. The GNX was way ahead of its time with regard to speed. While the Buick GNX can cost up to $550,000 at auctions, you can buy it for $37,000 to $90,000.

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The Dodge Daytona IROC R/T debuted for 1991, and as with other Daytonas, sported pop-up headlights. There was also a beefed-up suspension and turbocharged four- and V6 engine options.

However, in 1992, the company made several changes and the Daytona IROC, as with other Daytonas, got exposed headlights and could be had with a new turbocharged four with Lotus-designed heads that made 224 hp. As the car's name implies, the Daytona IROC is a track race legend. The 1992 Dodge Daytona IROC R/T costs around $20,000 to $30,000.

Though the Mercury Marauder X-100 is not so popular, the car is known for its distinct styling and power. The luxury muscle car's exterior design is quite similar to the Mercury Marquis. Under the hood, the 1969 Mercury Marauder X-100 is equipped with a powerful 429 c.i.V8 engine complete with a four-barrel carburetor.

The V8 engine also has 360 horsepower. As a luxurious performance car, the muscle car comes with standard comfortable leather seats. Like other classic cars, the Mercury Marauder X-100 costs a lot at auctions, but you can get it for $22,429 to $60,000.

Hillary Princewill is a Nigerian writer who grew up spending a lot of time in his Dad's garage. He loves sports car, F1 and military vehicles.