The Rarest Chevy Corvette in Existence Heads to the Auction Block

It’s not often we see anything extremely rare in today’s car market. This is certainly the case for the Chevy Corvette, which is an incredible sports car.

The latest, C8 Corvette, has become one of America’s most common high-performance sports cars. That shouldn’t come as a surprise. Once the engine moved from the front to the middle, this car became the American alternative to the many mid-engine European sports cars. Thankfully, there’s still at least one rare car to make us admire something truly unique.

The Wild West of Chevrolet ordering

The 1960s was a decade in which dealers experimented with the Chevy ordering process and what could be had in these cars. Some dealers, like Don Yenko, were so important to the brand that they could order just about anything desired, and it would be included on the car. Because Yenko was as much a cornerstone of the brand as he was, we have the Yenko and COPO Camaro models. Of course, the Camaro wasn’t the only car that dealers and customers upgraded and improved to have fast, rare models that could be a lot of fun to drive.

Only one of these Corvettes was ever ordered

Customers could order the 1969 Chevy Corvette with the ZL-1 package. This package turned the Stingray into a high-performance machine meant for Can-Am racing. The package included the L-88 427 cubic-inch V8 engine that was listed at 430 horsepower. There were two Corvettes ordered with the ZL-1 package in 1969, but only one was a convertible. This convertible car is finished in Monaco Orange, and it’s scheduled to hit the auction block, where it should fetch a price that’s much higher than it sold for when new. By the way, the power output when this car was put on a tester came out much closer to 580 horsepower, which is absolutely insane.

Were there any other upgrades for this Corvette?

The ZL-1 package wasn’t only a power upgrade for this amazing sports car. It also received improved brakes, an upgraded suspension, and a positraction rear axle. This package also meant the new owner didn’t receive a radio, air conditioning, or a heater. Why were these comfort items deleted? These items were cut out in pursuit of incredible track speed for this car. This has been the formula for adding speed for years.

What has life been like for this Corvette?

This rare and unique Chevy Corvette has lived a life that we want for cars like this one. It was purchased new and modified for drag racing. The engine had to be replaced during its first year because it blew, but that was replaced under warranty. The original owner sold it to its current owner in 2007. This new owner restored the car to its original condition in 2014. This singular Corvette did not sit in a collection or garage where it didn’t turn any miles on the odometer. Instead, it was used for racing, which was what this car was meant for.

How much should this car sell for at auction?

We aren’t sure how much the current owner paid for this special Corvette convertible, but the original price was less than $10,000. The car is estimated to bring in between $2.6 and $3 million, which is an amazing markup for a car that was affordable when it was new. If it reaches this price, it will become the third most expensive Corvette ever sold. The rarity of this model could push the price beyond the other two, which would make it the rarest and most expensive Corvette ever sold at auction.

From then to now with the Corvette

The current version of the Chevy Corvette is a high-performance monster. The 2023 model year gives us a new version, which is the 670-horsepower Z06 model. This car couldn’t be much different from the 1969 model heading to auction, but it shares the name and the identity that makes the Corvette extremely special. The current model is absolutely a supercar and one that delivers the promise of rocking to top speeds in a hurry.

Add the Z51 Performance Package for More Fun

Anything that adds more performance and fun to a sports car makes it better. The Z51 package can do this for the Corvette. This package brings what you want to increase the speed and cut the lap times down. You’ll find an adaptive suspension, front lift features with adjustable height options and memory settings, and you’ll find an incredible exhaust system that increases the power of the car. You’ll love the track focus of this car with its stronger brakes, electronic limited-slip differential, and high-performance tires. A special heavy-duty cooling system keeps everything going, and the front splitter and rear spoiler help keep this awesome car planted on the track.

More power for the Corvette

The C8 version of the Chevy Corvette delivers something special this year. Not only is the engine in the middle of the car, but there are two engines for you to have the high-performance drive desired. The Stingray model uses the venerable 6.2-liter V8 engine mated to an 8-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. This model delivers 490 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque. Both of these numbers are increased by five when the Z51 package is added.
If you step up to the Z06 version of the C8 Corvette, you’ll find an amazing 5.5-liter V8 engine pumping out the power. This engine uses the same transmission as the Stingray while delivering 670 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque.

Will you turn it up for the Corvette?

Unless you’re willing to pay top dollar for the 1969 Corvette heading to auction, the model you’ll look for is the C8 version. Are you ready to turn things up to the Z51 or Z06 levels, or will the regular Stingray work well for you? While you’re answering this question, keep an eye on the auction and be amazed by the incredible price the rare Corvette fetches at auction as it changes hands to a third owner.