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Most Valuable Classic Corvettes Ever Sold

Vukasin Herbez December 15, 2024

Back in 1953, Chevrolet changed sports car history with the introduction of the very first Chevrolet Corvette. Over its illustrious history, Chevrolet has produced more than 1.5 million Corvettes—a remarkable feat for a performance vehicle. While many Corvettes are iconic in their own right, some models stand out as rarer and more valuable, making them highly sought-after by collectors and enthusiasts alike.

1953 Corvette – $660,000

1953 Chevrolet Corvette 1536x864 — Photo Credit: Silodrome

The 1953 Corvette is honored to be the car that started it all. Chevrolet produced just 300 examples in this inaugural year, all featuring white exteriors with red interiors and powered by a modest six-cylinder engine. Fewer than 100 of these groundbreaking vehicles are estimated to remain today, which explains their sky-high value. Owning a 1953 Corvette is like owning a piece of automotive history.

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1963 Corvette Z06 – $1.1 Million

1963 Corvette Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Owned By Mickey Thompson Photo By Mecum Auctions 100775549 — Photo Credit: Motor Authority

The year 1963 introduced the world to the legendary split-window Stingray body style, an instant design icon. While all 1963 Corvettes are valuable, the Z06 model stands out due to its rarity and racing pedigree. Built for track use, the Z06 featured a more powerful engine, an enlarged fuel tank, and advanced brakes. With only 199 units produced, this model commands an impressive price at auction

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1963 Corvette Grand Sport – $6 to $8 Million (Estimated)

Superperformance Corvette Grand Sport 2 — Photo Credit: Pinterest

The Corvette Grand Sport is often regarded as the ultimate “what if” car of the muscle car era. Chevrolet built only five examples before its racing program was shut down, and all five survive today. Designed to compete with the best in motorsport, these vehicles represent an unfulfilled dream of Corvette dominance on the racetrack. Their rarity and history place them among the most valuable Corvettes ever.

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1967 Corvette L88 – $3.95 Million

1967 Chevrolet L88 Corvette Stingray Convertible 6 — Photo Credit: Mecum

The 1967 Corvette introduced the L88 package, a performance upgrade that transformed the car into a near-racing machine. With only 20 units produced, the L88 is exceedingly rare and boasts a powerful 427 V8 engine. Its scarcity and racing pedigree have made it one of the most coveted Corvettes among collectors.

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1967 Corvette L89 – $1 Million (Estimated)

L89 Via Autoweek — Photo Credit: Autoweek

An even rarer version of the 1967 Corvette, the L89 package, was equipped with aluminum cylinder heads to enhance performance. Only 16 units were produced, making it only 16 units were produced, making it a true collector’s item. However, due to its ease of replication, collectors are cautious about paying premium prices unless impeccable documentation accompanies the vehicle.

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1969 Corvette ZL1 – $3.14 Million

1969 Chevrolet Corvette Zl1 4 — Photo Credit: Mecum

The 1969 Corvette ZL1 is an experimental legend. Chevrolet produced only two examples, both equipped with an all-aluminum 427 V8 engine that generated over 500 horsepower. The ZL1 was never officially advertised, and its existence was known only to insiders. These vehicles remain some of the most enigmatic Corvettes ever built.

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1969 Corvette L88 – $2.86 Million

The L88 package returned for 1969, with 116 cars ordered that year. This version was as close as a Corvette C3 could get to being a race car. The L88 package included extensive performance upgrades, and its rarity ensures that well-documented examples can fetch nearly $3 million at auction.

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1970 Baldwin Motion Corvette – $800,000 (Estimated)

Baldwin Motion Phase Iii Gt Corvette — Photo Credit: Mecum

In 1970, Baldwin Motion, a muscle car tuner and dealership specializing in turning fast Corvettes into proper rocket ships, provided the ultimate Corvette experience. Only six were built in 1970, making them exceptionally rare and valuable today.

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1971 Corvette ZR1 – $400,000

The ZR1 package debuted in 1971 as a small-block V8 option aimed at racing enthusiasts. Chevrolet produced only eight ZR1s that year, including just one convertible. Its rarity and unique high-revving engine configuration make it a prized collector’s item.

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1971 Corvette ZR2 – $500,000

1971 Corvette ZR2 Via Mecuum — Photo Credit: Mecum

While the ZR1 focused on small-block power, the ZR2 was its big-block sibling, boasting a 454 V8 engine. Only ten ZR2 cars were made in 1971, combining raw power with the best racing technology Chevrolet could offer. At half a million dollars, these cars represent extraordinary value for collectors.

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1983 Corvette C4 – Invaluable

1983 Corvette At Corvette Museum 1 1 — Photo Credit: Wiki

Officially, the 1983 Corvette C4 doesn’t exist because Chevrolet skipped that model year during the transition to the C4 generation. However, 12 preproduction cars were built, and only one survives today. This lone example resides in the Corvette Museum, making it a priceless artifact of Corvette history.

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1986 Corvette “Cooper Metallic” – $30,000

1986 Copper Corvette. Corvetteforum.co — Photo Credit: Bring a Trailer

While mechanically identical to other Corvettes from its year, the 1986 “Cooper Metallic” edition stands out due to its unique paint job. Only 86 cars were finished in this rare color, making it a favorite among collectors who appreciate obscure and distinctive details.

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1988 Corvette Sledgehammer – $225,000

1988 Callaway Sledgehammercorvette 0 1536 — Photo Credit: Bring a Trailer

In 1988, the Callaway Sledgehammer Corvette achieved a top speed of 258 mph, setting a production car record. With over 800 horsepower delivered to the rear wheels, this heavily modified car remains a symbol of extreme engineering. Only one example was built, and it recently sold for $225,000.

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1995 Guldstrand GS90 – $200,000 (Estimated)

Dick Guldstrand, a legendary Corvette racer and tuner, created the GS90 using the Corvette ZR1 as a foundation. With a sticker price nearing $200,000 in 1995, only six GS90s were ever sold. These bespoke Corvettes are a testament to Guldstrand’s engineering expertise.

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1996 Corvette C4 Grand Sport – $50,000

Chevrolet Corvette C4 Coupe 1994 Models 277411 — Photo Credit: Bring a Trailer

The C4 Grand Sport marked the end of the fourth-generation Corvette. With a unique paint scheme and a 330-horsepower engine, this special edition paid homage to Corvette’s racing legacy. Chevrolet produced 1,000 units, making it relatively rare and a fitting swan song for the C4 lineup.

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