General Motors (GM) executives needed a name for their new two-door, two-passenger, groundbreaking Chevrolet sports car, hence, Myron Scott, assistant director of Public Relations suggested “Corvette” – the smallest class of warships – and got a resounding approval. Though not a warship, the Corvette has admirably held the fort of performance for GM over the years.
The automobile company showcased the concept of the first generation Corvette (C1) at the 1953 GM Motorama and it’s been a beautiful story of automobile ingenuity ever since.
Currently, in its eighth generation (C8) that started in 2020, the Corvette has been produced in some of the most mechanically powerful, aesthetically beautiful, and all-round pleasing sports cars we’ve ever seen. Also, it’s been built as some of the least manufactured car models we have around. Hence, for their rarity, due to varying rationale, these Chevy Corvette models are some of the least-produced cars ever built by General Motors.
10 1969 Corvette ZL1
You’d hardly notice any conspicuous difference between the 1969 Chevrolet Corvette ZL1 and other models released that year until you open the hood. The ZL1 uses an aluminum-forged 427ci engine that was built to replace the iconic L88. The engine was the then-most powerful Corvette engine, featuring stronger connecting rods and open-chamber heads.
Also, the ZL1 mandatorily had other features such as the K66 transistorized ignition, J56 Special heavy-duty brakes, G81 Positraction rear axle, and F41 special front and rear suspension. Only two units of the 1969 Chevrolet Corvette ZL1 were ever built.
9 1986 “Copper Metallic” Corvette
GM decided to do things differently with the 1986 Corvette. With the spike in Corvette theft as recorded with the ‘84 model, Vehicle Anti-Theft System (VATS) was added to the ’86 model. Also, the model was the first Corvette to feature ABS.
The car retained the L98 engine, however, the cylinder heads were built from aluminum instead of cast-iron, leading to 125 pounds reduction in curb weight. Several thousands of 1986 Corvettes were built, but only four of those were painted in Copper Metallic, making it a rare production.
8 1971 Corvette ZR2
Corvettes are visually alluring, but the 1971 Corvette ZR2 is even more captivating. Regarded as one of the best big-block Corvettes ever in terms of handling, the 1971 ZR2 features 425 hp 7.4L big-block OHV V8 engine (LS6) mated to a Muncie M-22 transmission.
Also, it has massive anti-sway bars, heavy-duty brakes, a twin-disc clutch, and an aluminum radiator for proper cooling. With a production run that lasted only a year and a total unit of only 12 built, the ZR2 is one of the rarest big-block performance Corvette ever produced.
7 1971 Corvette ZR1
The 1971 Corvette model was offered in two special racing packages; the ZR2 highlighted above and the ZR1. Being the first of the two offers, the 1971 ZR1 LT-1 engine option was built to have a reduced compression of 9.0:1 as opposed to the 11.0:1 in previous models.
It has a solid-lifter small-block engine and also featured a special aluminum radiator, transistor ignition, heavy-duty four-speed transmission, heavy-duty brakes, and front and rear stabilizer bars. However, the ZR1 package didn’t have luxury options like air conditioning and power windows. Only eight 1971 ZR1 models were built.
6 1963 Corvette Grand Sport
In 1962, Zora Arkus-Duntov, a GM engineer, worried about Shelby Cobra and Ford, secretly developed a program to build 125 units of Corvette Grand Sport needed for homologation for International Grand Touring races. After building five examples, GM executives got wind of the secret project and ended it.
The five already-produced Corvette Grand Sports were raced with various engines – with the most powerful being the 377 cubic inch aluminum small-block producing 550 hp at 6400 rpm. All five cars are still around today.
5 1964 Grand Sport IIB
General Motors engineer, Frank Winchell is credited with building the 1964 Chevrolet Grand Sport IIB. The car is a prototype, and it represents GM’s first trial at building a mid-engine Corvette. For the design, Winchell got help from Larry Shinoda, whose classic design featured an entire body framed using aluminum alloy placed on a monocoque chassis.
The car weighs 1,450 pounds and as reported by Hemmings, it achieved a speed as high as 189 mph during a test. The car never made it to production.
4 1967 L88 Corvette
Being the last of the second-generation Corvettes, the 1967 model had some aesthetical upgrades. These include the re-introduction of four taillights in red, redesigned fender vents, rectangular and centrally located back-up lamps, and generally lesser ornamentation.
There was a significant change under the hood as well with the L88 engine which was specially developed by GM for high performance; it’s built from a highly modified Chevy 427-cubic inch V8 engine rated at 430 bhp. However, only twenty such engines were fitted in the Corvette.
3 2009 Corvette Z06 GT1 Championship Special Edition
The 2009 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT1 Championship Special Edition is a special and rare sports car. GM built 125 units of the GT1 Championship Edition Corvettes. Of those, only 55 were Z06. Born from GT1 racing success, the Z06 is fitted with a 429ci LS7 pushrod V8 engine that churns out 505 bhp at 6,300 rpm.
It is mated to a 6-speed manual transmission and has 4-wheel independent suspension with 4-wheel ventilated disc brakes. The interior is awash with custom ebony leather and the car is offered in two color options of 41U Black and 45U Velocity.
2 1995 Corvette Grand Sport Convertible
Dave McLellan was an automotive engineer with GM who replaced the iconic Corvette chief engineer, Zora Arkus-Duntov. In his capacity, McLellan designed several vehicles for GM, which includes this 1995 Grand Sport Convertible. Considered as one of the most collectible modern convertibles, the 1995 C4 Corvette Grand Sport Convertible is powered by a 6.2L LT4 V8 which produces 330 hp and 340 pound-feet of torque.
A total of 1,000 units of the Grand Sports were built with 810 of those as coupes and the remaining 190 as Convertibles.
1 1967 Corvette L89
The 1967 Corvette was the best of the C2 generation. Being the last model of the generation, so much work and refinement went into it. With the design credited to Arkus-Duntov, the 1967 Corvette is trimmed down to appear less chunky and featured a single backup light above the license plate. Interior changes were minimal with its handbrake located in-between the seats.
The primary engine was the L88, however, 16 units were fitted with the L89 which is a tri-power 427 cubic inch aluminum head V8 engine which produces 435 hp.