The Chevrolet Corvette is, without doubt, the greatest sports car America has ever made. The Corvette was introduced in 1953 to attract those who had fallen in love with European sports cars, often WWII veterans, and it has been in continuous production since. The Corvette has stuck to the same winning formula, which is why sales are still going strong today — a beautiful design, decent power, reliability, and an affordable price tag.

RELATED: 5 Worst Corvettes Ever Made (5 Worth Every Penny)

Over the years, Chevy has built multiple special editions of the Corvette to mark key milestones, honor special people, celebrate events, or target higher-end buyers who don't want regular Corvette models. Let's explore ten of the best.

10 1969 ZL1

1969 Corvette ZL1
Mecum Auctions

The ZL1 was a special option package offered on the 1969 Corvette for gearheads who needed more power. The ZL1 was powered by an all-aluminum 7.0-liter big-block V8 engine rated at 430 hp, but many experts believe it produced at least 100 hp more. According to a 1968 test by Motor Trend, the ZL1 was the fastest production car ever built at the time.

1969 Chevrolet Corvette ZL1 (Yellow) - Rear
Via: Mecum Auctions

The ZL1 was not cheap, as it cost almost $5,000 more than the base model. There are conflicting views on whether two or three were made. One thing is clear, though — the ZL1 is one of the rarest American cars ever.

9 1967 L88

Corvette Front
Mecum Auto Auctions

In the late '60s, Chevrolet developed the L88 engine for racing. The engine — a 7.0-liter V8 — featured a high-capacity four-barrel carburetor, aluminum heads, an advanced air induction system, and the highest compression ratio ever seen in a Corvette. The engine was officially rated at 430 hp, but many believe it was a lot higher.

Corvette Rear
Mecum Auctions

From 1967 to 1969, Chevrolet allowed Corvette buyers to purchase the L88 option. Only 216 buyers chose the L88 option.

8 1970 ZR1

1970 ZR1 
Mecum Auctions

The 'ZR1' designation has been used on several Corvettes over the years. The first time it was used was in 1970 on a special engine package available exclusively for the LT-1 engine option.

1970 ZR1 
Via Mecum Auctions

For $1,221, 1970 ZR1 buyers got the solid-lifter small-block V8 engine, a revised suspension system, a heavy-duty four-speed transmission, an aluminum radiator, and power brakes. Only 53 ZR1s were built from 1970 to 1972.

7 1996 Grand Sport

Grand Sport
Via mecum.com

In 1995, Chevrolet unveiled the Grand Sport to mark the end of the C4's production run. This was not the first time the Grand Sport moniker had been used in a Corvette, as the first time came in 1963. Chevy built a total of 1,000 GS Corvettes in 1996 - 810 coupes and 190 convertibles.

RELATED: The History Of The Corvette Grand Sport Explained

1996 Chevrolet Corvette
via Wikipedia

The GS came only in Blue with a white stripe down the middle. It was equipped with a high-performance LT4 V8 rated at 330 hp, giving it great performance.

6 2008 ZHZ

ZHZ 
Via corvetteforum.com

The Hertz Corporation is a renowned car rental company operating in the US and internationally. As a marketing strategy, the company started the Fun Collection, which consists of sportier, quicker cars for hire.

Corvette ZHZ 
Via Corvette Forum 

In 2008, the Hertz Corporation collaborated with Chevy to build a special Corvette model to be featured in the year's Fun Collection, resulting in the Corvette ZHZ. The ZHZ was a standard C6 Corvette equipped with the LS3 V8 engine, a six-speed automatic transmission, F55 suspension, and vacuum-actuated valve exhaust.

5 2011 Z06 Carbon Limited Edition

2011 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Carbon Limited Edition
Via: Mecum Auctions

In 2011, Chevrolet built the Corvette Z06 Carbon Limited Edition to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Corvette's first-ever race in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, as well as bring race-sourced technologies to a production car. Chevrolet initially planned to build 500 cars, but ended up building 252.

The 2011 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Carbon Limited Edition
Via: Mecum Auctions

The Z06 Carbon Limited Edition was equipped with a 505-hp V8, Magnetic Selective Ride Control, 20-spoke black wheels, a special carbon engine cover, and the carbon-ceramic Brembo brakes.

4 2004 24 Hours Of Le Mans Commemorative Edition

2004 corvette commemorative edition
Via Bring a Trailer

The 24 Hours Of Le Mans is one of the greatest motorsport competitions in the world. So, when the Corvette C5-R won its class at Le Mans in the early 2000s, Chevrolet decided to honor it with a limited edition model - the Corvette 24 Hours of Le Mans Commemorative Edition.

RELATED: 10 Cars That Dominated The Le Mans In The Last 30 Years

2004 corvette commemorative edition
Via Corvsport.com

This package came with a special "Le Mans Blue Metallic" paint job, a two-tone leather interior, and silver and red stripes down the middle. Only 2,025 were made.

3 Z06 C7.R Edition

Z06 C7.R
Via Mecum Auctions

Just like the car above, the Z06 C7.R Edition is another special edition of the Corvette built to celebrate Chevrolet's successes in the racing world. The Z06 C7.R Edition is mostly an appearance package and was only available with 3LZ trim.

Z06 C7.R
Via media.chevrolet.com

On the exterior, the Z06 C7.R Edition comes with the Corvette Racing Yellow paint job, Z06 wheels with yellow stripes, Corvette Racing wheel center caps, yellow brake calipers, visible carbon fiber, and C7.R graphics. Interior changes include Jet Black leather and suede upholstery, competition sport seats, C7.R Limited-Edition interior plaque, and Corvette Racing sill plates.

2 2003 50th Anniversary Edition

2003 Chevrolet Corvette 50th Anniversary Auction Featured Image
Bring a Trailer

In 2003, Chevrolet was celebrating 50 years of Corvette production, which is something very few manufacturers can celebrate. So, to mark the occasion, Chevrolet built the Corvette 50th Anniversary Edition.

2003 Chevrolet Corvette 50th Anniversary Auction Rear Quarter Shot
via Bring a Trailer

Available in coupe and convertible body styles, the 50th Anniversary Edition had a special shade of red paint dubbed "Anniversary Red Metallic," a shale two-tone leather interior, embroidered upholstery trim, painted aluminum wheels, and special badges.

1 1998 Indy 500 Pace Car Replica

1998 Indy 500 Pace Car Replica
Via Vanguard Motor Sales 

In the late '90s, the convertible version of the C5 Corvette was chosen as the Indiana 500 Pace Car. As it had done several times before, Chevy decided to produce a limited run of pace car replicas.

1998 Indy 500 Pace Car Replica
Via Corvette Forum 

There was little difference between the replicas and the actual pace car, apart from lacking the necessary equipment for pace car duties. The replicas were given a special Radar Blue paint job, special pace car decals, painted yellow wheels, and unique interior colors.