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25 Unique Corvette Models That Will Go Down In History

Cameron Eittreim October 14, 2019

1971 ZL1 Via Meccum Auctions — 1971 ZL1 via Mecum Auctions

13. 1971 Corvette ZR1

When it comes to race-inspired Corvettes, GM is no stranger to designing them. The ZR1 for 1971 featured a race-inspired setup that included a 371 HP engine and a plethora of other options that made it stand out from the crowd. The little brother of the ZR2, this Corvette had a nice setup that included rally wheels and a no-frills design that drivers were appreciative of. The M22 rock crusher 4-speed was a standout option, while the J56 Heavy duty power brakes did a good job of stopping the car.

There were only eight 1971 Corvette ZR1 models that ever hit the road, so this car is considered extremely rare. The 1971 ZR1 was produced at a time when vehicles had to be ordered with certain options.

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12. 1967 Corvette L89 Convertible

Convertible Corvettes don’t get enough attention for their rarity. Because of how the frame is designed, hardcore speed enthusiasts don’t take the convertible seriously. But the L89 was so rare that it stands out from the crowd. The L89 option only landed on 16 cars, which makes it extremely rare. The L89 Convertible came with the coveted aluminum heads as well as a big block L71 motor. Powerful is an understatement, and what made this package so fun the convertible model.

The weight reduction in the L89 is a whopping 75 pounds, which makes the front end of this convertible even lighter than the Stingray. If you’re lucky enough to get your hands on an original L89 Convertible, you’re in for something special.

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1971 Corvette ZR2 Via Mecuum — 1971 Corvette ZR2 Via Mecum

11. 1971 Corvette ZR2

The 70s were a tough time for muscle car enthusiasts as gas prices and emissions laws were causing automakers to reduce horsepower dramatically. Although the 70s were the start of GM de-tuning their engines, the ZR2 somehow made it past. This Corvette was one of the few models that got to keep all of its horsepower. The big motor gave the ZR2 a whopping 460 horsepower, and there were options with the ZR2. The convertible ZR2 is the rarest as only two were produced. There were only 10 coupes produced as well, making this one of the rarest Corvettes.

If you’re lucky enough to get a hold of a ZR2, you’ll be treated to one of few Corvette models that managed to slip through the cracks during the smog regulation. This was a tough time for GM, and it’s a wonder the ZR2 managed to slip through the cracks.

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Grand Sport Roadster Via Motor Week — Grand Sport Roadster via Motor Week

10. 1963 Corvette Grand Sport Roadster

During the 60s, there was a rare sports car known as the Shelby Cobra. The lightweight race car was designed by Carroll Shelby and was winning all kinds of different races around the world. So never one to be outdone, GM decided to build their own version. GM utilized the Corvette chassis and introduced the world to the 1963 Corvette Grand Sport. The rare sport coupe only weighed a total of 1,900 pounds, propelled by that powerful V8 engine. This Corvette was truly a monster on the track, and a total of five were built.

Finding one of these Corvette models is a rarity, but if you do come across one it’s going to cost a lot of money. The 1963 Grand Sport was GM’s answer to Shelby, and this is a little-known performance car that demands respect. The Grand Sport stands out from the crowd and left an imprint on the Corvette lineup forever.

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Copper Corvette Via Bing — Copper Corvette via Bing

9. 1986 Corvette “Copper Metallic”

The 1986 model of the Corvette was often panned by critics for its lackluster 305 V8 engine, but there was a rare variation of the vehicle. The “copper metallic” version of the 1986 Corvette was so rare that only four were made. It was a test color for GM and four owners had opted for the model. This particular color is a difficult one for GM to get on the Corvettes of this era and there were a lot of quality issues. The bubble light on the back of the car was also unique to this model year.

The next model year was better for copper metallic as there were 87 examples that hit the market. But the 1986 model was the rarest, and if you can get a hold of one you’ll have one of the nicest C4 models around. This car was not the prettiest Corvette around by any means, but the copper metallic was certainly a welcome addition.

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Corvette 427 Via Motor Trend — Corvette 427 via Motor Trend

8. 2008 Chevrolet Corvette 427 Crystal Red Limited Edition

Even though the recession hit in 2008, the year was still a great one for new limited-edition vehicles. The Corvette came in a rare edition known as the 427 Crystal Red. What makes this Corvette unique aside from the 427 engine is the limited edition Crystal red paint job. This was one of the last C6 Corvettes available in a special package and these models are extremely rare. The 427 option was a deal-specific option generally only available at top-tier Chevrolet dealerships.

In addition to the limited edition paint scheme, the engine cover had special yellow lettering and matching red Corvette lettering throughout the car. The 427 Crystal Red edition is a limited edition Corvette that you can still get your hands on.

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Corvette Z06 GT1 Via Motor Trend — Corvette Z06 GT1 via Motor Trend

7. 2009 Chevrolet Corvette GTI Championship Edition

When it comes to limited-edition Corvette models, 2009 was an exceptional year for the brand. The 2009 Chevrolet Corvette GTI Championship Edition is another race-inspired sports car that introduces buyers into another level of Corvette. The Championship Edition is a car that commemorates the wins of the Corvette brand in the worldwide Le Mans race. The GTI Championship Edition was made in a small production amount of 600. When it comes to recent Corvette models that have become collectible, the GTI Championship Edition stands out.

You get all of the benefits of driving a modern car and the rarity of a limited edition Corvette model. Not to mention the fact that the C6 is one of the most well-designed Corvette models to hit the road. The 2009 Chevrolet Corvette GTI Championship Edition is certainly one of the rarest Corvette models to hit the road, and also one of the most fun to drive.

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Indy 500 Pace Car Via Meccum — Indy 500 Pace Car via Mecum

6. 1998 Indy 500 Pace Car Replica

Chevrolet has a history of sponsoring NASCAR as a brand, and the Corvette has been a central figure in this. Dealerships in the late 90s were greeted by the special edition 1998 Indy 500 Pace Car Replica. The car was made to look exactly like the authentic pace car, which introduced the world to the new Corvette. The car has unique features such as a two-tone interior that features pin-striped leather seating. The 1998 Indy 500 Pace Car Replica featured a unique yellow dashboard and matching yellow alloy rims.

Nothing about the car has increased in terms of performance, but wouldn’t it be nice to drive around in a real pace car? The 1998 Indy 500 Pace Car Replica certainly fits the bill as one unique-looking C5 Corvette. You’ll still find these Pace Car Replicas around from time to time, and in good condition, this is one fun-to-drive Corvette that gets a lot of attention.

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2003 50th Anniversary Via Motor Trend — 2003 50th Anniversary via Motor Trend

5. 2003 50th Anniversary Edition

The C5 Corvette just looks good in red, and in this case, it’s Xirallic Crystal. The 50th anniversary Corvette was a beautiful car to look at. The champagne-colored wheels and the astonishingly beautiful paint job to let you know that you were looking at something unique. 2003 was a good year for Chevy and the 50th Anniversary Edition got an upgraded interior with custom stitched seats and a navigation system. The 50th Anniversary Edition also introduced the world to Magnetic Ride Control, which gives this Corvette a subtle and smooth ride.

The 2003 50th Anniversary Edition was only available in a convertible, and if you’re looking for one of these beauties you can expect to cough up some dough. The 2003 50th Anniversary Edition is perhaps one of the most highly sought-after C5 Corvettes.

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2004 Z06 Via Motor Trend — 2004 Z06 via Motor Trend

4. 2004 Commemorative Edition

The final year of the C5 was a somber one for GM. Even though the C6 was a much-improved Corvette model, the C5 had introduced the world to the modern Corvette. The 2004 Commemorative Edition sent the C5 off in style with a special edition Le Mans blue paint scheme and an embroidered set of headrests. The 2004 Commemorative Edition also came in a Z06 package which included racing alloys and all the enhancements that make the Z06 a serious track vehicle.

If you’ve been searching high and low for a C5 with some attitude, the 2004 Commemorative Edition fits the bill. This beautiful Corvette is one of the best handling sports cars to come out in the new millennium.

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2007 Ron Fellows ALMS GT1 Champion Corvette Z06 Via Car And Driver — 2007 Ron Fellows ALMS GT1 Champion Corvette Z06 via Car And Driver

3. 2007 Z06 Ron Fellows Championship Edition

Like it or not, the Corvette has made a name for itself in the racing world. Ron Fellows was one of the key people behind that dominance. As such, the 2007 Z06 Ron Fellows Championship Edition is a Corvette with some history behind it. The paint scheme is unique to this car with red stripes along with the front fenders and Corvette across the windshield. In addition to those enhancements, there’s also a lip spoiler and 20-inch chrome wheels wrapped in Goodyear tires. The 2007 Z06 Ron Fellows Championship Edition stands out at one of the most unique C6 Corvettes to hit the collectors market.

If you’ve been following the Corvette racing scene for years then you’ll know how important this specific car is to Corvette culture. If you want to own a piece of automotive history, the 2008 Corvette ZHZ Ron Fellows Championship Edition is a great choice.

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2007 Indy 500 Via Motor Trend — 2007 Indy 500 via Motor Trend

2. 2007 Indy 500 Pace Car Replica

How did GM go about introducing the world to the new C6? Well, they went the pace car route, of course. The 2007 Indy 500 Pace Car Replica is another nod to GM’s performance heritage and the car was sold at top-tier Chevrolet dealerships for the 2007 model year. If you’re a person who loves Indy car racing and want to show it off, the 2007 Indy 500 Pace Car Replica is the way to do it. Only available in a convertible, the Atomic Orange C6 stands out from the crowd in every aspect, from its stitched seats to the Indy 500 Logos in the doors.

The 2007 Indy 500 Pace Car Replica is actually fairly easy to find on the used car market, but the value of this car has skyrocketed so you can expect to pay a pretty penny.

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2008 Corvette ZHZ Via Motor Trend — 2008 Corvette ZHZ via Motor Trend

1. 2008 Corvette ZHZ

Finally, the most unique Corvette to hit the road in recent years was actually one that anyone could rent. The 2008 Corvette ZHZ was a limited run of 500 vehicles that were made especially for the Hertz Rental Car Company. Notable upgrades over the average Corvette include seven-spoke special edition chrome wheels and an automatic exhaust switch which allows the driver to open and close the exhaust. The ZHZ was only available in a coupe version, and it featured either all-yellow paint or yellow paint with black stripes. The 2008 Corvette ZHZ is a wicked-looking ride and one of the most notable Corvettes.

You can still find the 2008 Corvette ZHZ on the used car market for a reasonable price as the used car stigma seems to scare people away from it. Still, for the price, you’ll get a pretty rare piece of automotive history that looks great and is fun to drive too. When it comes to limited edition sports cars, the Hertz line of exotics still manages to look great even after all this time.

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