When most people think of American muscle cars, the classic Ford Mustang, Chevrolet Camaro, or the Dodge Charger may come to mind. These are titans of their time, a testament to American automotive engineering prowess. However, some muscular masterpieces, born in the golden era of automotive horsepower, have remained relatively obscure, not due to a lack of power or beauty but simply because of their extreme rarity.
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1967 Shelby GT500 Super Snake
This car is the most expensive Mustang ever sold at auction, fetching a staggering $2.2 million. The Super Snake was a specially made, high-performance version of the powerful Shelby GT500. With a top speed of 170 mph and a 427-cubic inch V8 engine sourced from the Le Mans-winning Ford GT40, it was the most potent Mustang of its time. (Note that the 1967 Shelby GT500 Super Snake is not pictured).
1969 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1
Chevrolet produced just 69 units of this high-performance Camaro, equipped with a 430-horsepower 427 V8 engine initially designed for racing. The ZL1, known for its blistering speed, became one of the most legendary and sought-after of all muscle cars.
1970 Dodge Challenger R/T 426 Hemi Convertible
Dodge produced only nine of these vehicles in 1970, making it one of the rarest American muscle cars. With a 425-horsepower 7.0-liter Hemi V8 engine and a convertible top, it’s a rare sight and a highly coveted classic muscle car. (Note that a standard Dodge Challenger R/T 426 Hemi is pictured above).
1967 Chevrolet Corvette L88
The L88 was a special performance package available on the Corvette that was intended for professional racing. Only 20 units were produced in 1967, making it extremely rare. The L88 boasted a 427-cubic inch V8 engine rated at 430 horsepower, although the actual output was reportedly closer to 550 horsepower.
1970 Plymouth Hemi ‘Cuda Convertible
Plymouth produced just 14 Hemi ‘Cuda Convertibles in 1970. This car came with a 425-horsepower 7.0-liter Hemi V8 engine. Due to its rarity, a well-preserved example can sell for millions at auction.
1969 Pontiac GTO Judge Ram Air IV Convertible
This car is rare due to the specific combination of the “Judge” performance package and the Ram Air IV engine option, with only five convertibles produced. Its 400-cubic inch V8 engine could produce 370 horsepower and 445 pound-feet of torque. (Note that the standard 1969 Pontiac GTO Judge is pictured above).
1971 Pontiac GTO Judge Convertible
Pontiac produced only 17 of these convertibles, making it one of the rarest GTOs. The 1971 Judge Convertible was the last of the line, marking the end of an era of the true high-performance muscle car.
1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454 LS6
Chevrolet produced approximately 20 of the LS6 version. The LS6 packed a 454-cubic inch V8 engine that produced a whopping 450 horsepower and 500 pound-feet of torque, making it one of the most powerful muscle cars of its time. (Note that the standard 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454 is pictured above).
1971 Plymouth Road Runner Hemi
This was the last year that Plymouth offered a Hemi engine in the Road Runner. Only 55 were made, marking the end of the era of the classic high-performance, high-displacement engines. (Note that the standard 1971 Plymouth Road Runner is pictured above).
1970 Buick GSX Stage 1
Buick produced only 400 of the Stage 1 version of the GSX. This car had a 455-cubic inch V8 engine that produced 360 horsepower and a mind-blowing 510 pound-feet of torque. (Note that the standard 1970 Buick GSX is pictured above).
1969 Ford Mustang Boss 429
Ford made this car to satisfy NASCAR homologation requirements, producing just over 800 units. It was equipped with a 429-cubic inch V8 engine rated at 375 horsepower, although the actual output was much higher.
1970 Oldsmobile 442 W-30
The W-30 was a special performance package for the 442. In 1970, Oldsmobile produced only 96 convertibles with this package, making it a rare and sought-after muscle car.
1969 Dodge Daytona
This car was a highly modified version of the Charger designed for NASCAR racing. Dodge produced only 500 units for the public, making it a rare sight. Its most distinctive feature was its large rear wing, which improved high-speed stability.
1968 Mercury Cougar GT-E
Only 394 units of this high-performance Cougar were made. The GT-E was equipped with a 427-cubic inch V8 engine. However, later in the year, a 428 Cobra Jet engine became the standard, further adding to the rarity and desirability of the earlier models.
1970 AMC Rebel Machine
AMC produced around 2,000 of these high-performance versions of the Rebel. The Rebel Machine had a 390-cubic inch V8 engine that produced 340 horsepower. It was easily recognizable due to its distinctive red, white, and blue paint job.
1971 Dodge Charger R/T Hemi
The 1971 Dodge Charger R/T with the Hemi engine is one of the most sought-after muscle cars due to its low production numbers and powerful performance features. Dodge manufactured only 63 units with the Hemi engine that year, making it extremely rare. The car featured a 426-cubic inch Hemi V8 engine capable of producing 425 horsepower. With its striking design and high power, the 1971 Charger R/T Hemi commands high prices today, often reaching over $200,000 at auctions.
1969 Chevrolet Corvette ZL1
The 1969 Chevrolet Corvette ZL1 is exceedingly rare, with only three units ever built. It featured an all-aluminum 427 cubic-inch V8 engine designed for racing, making it one of the most powerful and lightest engines at the time. Originally priced significantly higher than other Corvettes of its era due to its specialized engine and features, the ZL1 has become a legend among collectors, valued in the millions. Note that the image shown is a 1969 Chevrolet Corvette C3.
1968 Ford Mustang GT500KR
The “King of the Road” version of the Shelby GT500, the GT500KR, was introduced in mid-1968. Ford produced just over 1,000 of these cars, which featured a 428 cubic-inch Cobra Jet V8 engine that purportedly produced 335 horsepower but was commonly believed to be significantly underrated. Its combination of power, style, and relative scarcity has made the GT500KR a highly coveted piece of automotive history, with prices often exceeding $150,000.
1970 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 RS
The 1970 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 RS was a special performance package that included a more powerful 360-horsepower LT-1 engine, a distinctive racing stripe, and improved suspension for better handling. Chevrolet produced fewer than 9,000 units, and its specific setup for both performance and a bit more luxury with the RS package makes it a rare find. Well-preserved models can fetch around $100,000 today.
1969 Dodge Super Bee A12
The A12 package for the 1969 Dodge Super Bee included a 440 cubic-inch V8 engine with three two-barrel carburetors (the “Six Pack”), a lift-off fiberglass hood, and heavy-duty suspension. Dodge produced this model in limited quantities, with about 1,900 units made. The A12 Super Bee is known for its raw power and has become a rare collector’s item, with prices often exceeding $150,000.
1970 Plymouth GTX Hemi
The 1970 Plymouth GTX featured a 426 cubic-inch Hemi V8 engine, one of the most desirable engines in the muscle car community. Only 72 of these were built with the Hemi engine, making it extremely rare and sought after. The GTX Hemi combined performance with a more upscale interior than the Road Runner, its sister car. These factors contribute to its current market value often around $200,000.
1967 Pontiac Firebird 400 Convertible
The first-year production of the Pontiac Firebird saw the introduction of the 400 Convertible model, which featured a 400 cubic-inch V8 engine producing 325 horsepower. Pontiac manufactured fewer than 900 of these convertibles, making them a rare sight today. The Firebird 400 Convertible is especially valued for its blend of performance and open-air driving pleasure, with values often climbing above $100,000.
1969 Mercury Cyclone CJ
The 1969 Mercury Cyclone CJ was equipped with a Cobra Jet 428 cubic-inch V8, producing 335 horsepower. It was a high-performance variant of the Cyclone, designed to compete with the likes of the Torino Talladega and the Charger 500 in NASCAR. Only a few hundred were produced with this engine, making it a rare find. The Cyclone CJ is noted for its racing heritage and unique styling, with values often reaching $80,000 or more.
1967 Oldsmobile 442 W-30
The W-30 package added a more powerful version of the 442’s 400 cubic-inch engine, along with a forced air induction system and a low-restriction exhaust, producing 360 horsepower. Oldsmobile produced only 502 of the W-30 models in 1967, making it exceedingly rare and desirable. These cars are often sought after for their unique blend of performance and the relative obscurity of Oldsmobile muscle cars, with values generally above $150,000.
1968 Shelby GT350 Convertible
The 1968 Shelby GT350 Convertible is rare and coveted, with only 404 units produced. It featured a 302 cubic-inch V8 engine that produced 250 horsepower. The GT350’s blend of Shelby performance tuning, distinctive styling, and the pleasure of open-top driving make it highly desirable. These convertibles are a prized find for collectors, often commanding prices around $100,000.
This article originally appeared on MyCarMakesNoise.
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