Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS 454
Back in the late ’60s, Chevrolet product planners decided to enter the personal luxury segment with a new model. Since Chevrolet was known as a mid-priced car brand, moving up the ladder was a big deal. Chevy knew that they needed a fresh design and powerful engines. Built on the modified Chevelle platform, the Monte Carlo was a handsome coupe-only car with V8 engines. It also had a nice interior and decent performance. Even though most Monte Carlos came with smaller V8 engines and concentrated on luxury, there was one crazy muscle option in the form of the SS 454 package (via Hagerty Agent).
This version was a true muscle beast with a monstrous 7.4-liter V8 engine which pumped 360 hp and propelled the heavy Monte Carlo to excellent 0 to 60 mph times. Buyers could get this trim level for just $420 above the base price, which transformed this coupe from a somewhat lazy cruiser to a quarter-mile beast. However, only around 3,800 people decided to do so. So the Monte Carlo SS 454 remains one of the rarest luxury muscle cars ever produced.