Like Ford and Chevrolet, the Corvette brand is undeniably American. But unlike consumer-friendly brands like Ford, the Corvette name is synonymous with speed, style, and luxury. Considering how costly some Corvettes can get, it’s not challenging to understand why this automaker has earned such a high-end reputation!
The most expensive Corvette of all time is the 1967 Chevrolet Corvette L88 2-Door Coupe. This vintage vehicle sold for $3.85 million in 2014 and is only one of 20 ever released. Despite its age, it’s $150,000 pricier than the first 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06.
Whether you’re interested in owning a costly coupe or curious about the highest-value Corvettes, this ranking will reveal everything you’ve ever wanted to know about the most expensive Corvettes ever sold.
Here Are the Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes of All Time:
- 1967 Chevrolet Corvette L88 2-Door Coupe – $3.85 million
- 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 VIN 001 – $3.7 million
- 1967 Chevrolet Corvette L88 Convertible – $3.4 million
- 2020 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray VIN 001 – $3 million
- 1969 Chevrolet Corvette #57 Rebel Convertible Race Car – $2.86 million
- 1967 Chevrolet Corvette L88 Coupe – $2.69 million
- 1962 Chevrolet Corvette “Gulf Oil” Race Car – $1.65 million
- 2018 Chevrolet Corvette Carbon 65 Edition – $1.4 million
- 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Split-Window Coupe – $1.24 million
- 1969 Chevrolet BFG “Stars & Stripes” L88 Racing Corvette – $638,000
10. 1969 Chevrolet BFG “Stars & Stripes” L88 Racing Corvette – $638,000
Like several of the most expensive Ford cars, many of the priciest Corvettes are antique competition cars. The 1969 Chevrolet BFG “Stars & Stripes” L88 Racing Corvette is no exception.
This vehicle exudes American pride and automotive innovation with an elongated front end, a compact cockpit cabin, and a stars-and-stripes exterior. Still, its celebrated racing history is likely why it sold for $638,000 in 2011.
After all, how often do you find a high-quality Chevrolet Corvette that’s participated in international competitions like 24 Hours at Le Mans and 24 Hours of Daytona?
Why It’s Expensive
This driveable piece of Americana is one of the most valuable Corvettes due to its vintage status, racing history, and top-notch condition. Collectors specializing in acquiring competition cars would be remiss to miss the opportunity to bid on this one-of-a-kind car, making it an attractive and in-demand find.
Because the Corvette “Stars & Stripes” is more than half a century old, it could also become a valuable asset for automotive museums, especially those with Corvette-specific exhibits.
Of course, not all antique competition cars are equally valuable. For example, those in lackluster condition typically don’t fetch the same prices as those in like-new shape. Fortunately for this red-white-and-blue speedster, it looks (and drives) like a factory-fresh coupe.
9. 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Split-Window Coupe – $1.24 Million
The 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Split-Window Coupe is one of the most infamous Corvettes, in no small part due to the small number (less than 200) released. From the get-go, this sleek two-door coupe was a rare treasure for sports car collectors.
The chances of finding an unrestored one with low mileage are slightly lower than the chances of being struck by lightning. And yet, in 2022, a pristine 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Split-Window Coupe with less than 5,500 miles on the odometer arrived at the Amelia Island Auction.
This auction attracts the wealthiest car collectors, and many took advantage of the opportunity to bid on this exceptionally rare classic Corvette, resulting in a hefty sales price of $1.24 million.
Why It’s Expensive
This silvery-grey Corvette might be unrestored, a quality that would repel most buyers, but it’s also in like-new condition thanks to decades of dedicated maintenance and minimal driving. Its original parts are in top-notch condition, making this car a unique, driveable time capsule that’s easily worth a small fortune.
8. 2018 Chevrolet Corvette Carbon 65 Edition – $1.4 Million
The Carbon 65 Edition is a limited-run model initially released to celebrate the Corvette brand’s 65th anniversary. To make the anniversary even easier to remember, Corvette only released 650 of these hi-tech supercar convertibles.
So, while the Carbon 65 Edition isn’t as rare as the 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Split-Window, it is far more powerful, with a supercharged V8 engine capable of outstripping the average sportscar. One of these commemorative vehicles sold for $1.4 million in 2018, earning it a well-deserved place within this ranking.
Why It’s Expensive
From its carbon-fiber roof and steering wheel to its decadent suede-covered interior, there’s nothing about this Corvette that doesn’t scream luxury, power, and style. Wealthy buyers from all corners of the globe could make a lasting impression by rolling up to a fancy soiree behind the wheel of this car.
In short, this car’s value stems from its position as a status symbol, its comparative rarity, and the immense power packed beneath its hood.
7. 1962 Chevrolet Corvette “Gulf Oil” Race Car – $1.65 Million
Unlike the Ford Motor Company, which was founded in the early 1900s, the Corvette brand didn’t arise until the 1950s. Additionally, the first string of Corvette cars were sports cars and competition race cars, separating them from the standard-fare, consumer-friendly cars of the era.
One of the oldest of these suped-up speedsters (and one of the priciest) is the 1962 Chevrolet Corvette “Gulf Oil” Race Car. This award-winning vehicle sold for $1.65 million when it went to auction in 2015, and it’s not hard to understand why.
After all, the Corvette “Gulf Oil” was the first recipient of the NCRS American Heritage Award. And though it’s almost old enough to start receiving social security checks, it’s been restored to like-new condition, making it a gorgeous collector’s car still capable of running (or driving) circles around other competition cars.
Why It’s Expensive
The Corvette “Gulf Oil” is one of the most historically significant Corvettes in the world, as it was the first vehicle to earn the coveted NCRS American Heritage Award. It’s also one of the oldest still-running Corvette competition cars equipped with authentic, period-accurate parts.
6. 1967 Chevrolet Corvette L88 Coupe – $2.69 Million
Vintage and antique cars often sell for much higher prices than fresh-off-the-lots ones, especially when the vehicles in question are rare. The 1967 Chevrolet Corvette L88 Coupe is one of the rarest Corvettes, as only 20 were released, and this scarcity makes it far costlier than mass-produced modern Corvettes.
One of these two-door sports cars, a honey-mustard-yellow version (officially called Sunfire Yellow), sold for $2.69 million in 2021. Though it’s not the only 1967 Corvette L88 Coupe, it’s the only known Sunfire Yellow model that’s survived the passage of time.
That said, it has experienced a few bumps in the road since its release and its multi-million-dollar auction sale. But thanks to several years of dedicated restoration work, it looks and runs like a dream.
Still, the fact that it’s restored makes it far less museum-friendly than the elusive 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Split-Window.
Why It’s Expensive
The 1967 Corvette L88 is the stuff of automotive legend. It’s the rarest Corvette model outside of one-off competition cars and first-release vehicles. The fact that there’s only one (that we know of) Sunfire Yellow 1967 Corvette L88 Coupe makes this car even more valuable, partially explaining its unusually high price.
And while this Corvette isn’t the priciest of all time, it’s almost $800,000 costlier than the most expensive Cadillac! That said, it’s not the highest-value 1967 Corvette L88 Coupe. But we’ll touch on that in just a moment.
5. 1969 Chevrolet Corvette #57 Rebel Convertible Race Car – $2.86 Million
Unlike other automakers, Corvette built its reputation on the backs of the fastest and sleekest competition and sports cars. But few vintage Corvettes can hold a candle to the 1969 Chevrolet Corvette #57 Rebel Convertible Race Car.
This competition car (bearing the number 57) is undeniably antique. It has a confederate flag painted onto its roof, and this flag extends to the front and back via painted strips of stars. This exterior is how the car earned the nickname “Rebel.”
While this design isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, this is the only 1969 Corvette race car, making it a rare find worthy of a private collection or museum exhibit. Maybe that’s why it sold for $2.86 million in 2014.
Why It’s Expensive
This customized race car is a one-of-a-kind antique. While you could recreate it by building a “new” version from scratch, the replacement wouldn’t have the same history and significance as this unique Corvette. This uniqueness makes it more valuable than other models.
4. 2020 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray VIN 001 – $3 Million
Only the first car to kick off a new model can boast the vehicle identification number (VIN) 001. Though these “first” cars aren’t as rare or unique as concept cars and prototypes, they’re still a unique departure from mass-produced cars with 17-character VINs.
A 2020 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray with the VIN 001 sold for $3 million in 2020, making it one of the few of its kind to trade hands to a private buyer.
Why It’s Expensive
The first vehicle belonging to a new model run is typically set aside for the bigwigs, including company CEOs. These unique cars rarely reach public auctions, making them a rare treat for wealthy car collectors.
Like other VIN 001 Corvettes sold at auction (of which there are only a few), this car is so expensive because it’s the first of its kind. Of course, it helps that the 2020 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray is a pavement-hugging speedster!
3. 1967 Chevrolet Corvette L88 Convertible – $3.4 Million
Remember when we said the Sunfire Yellow 1967 Corvette L88 wasn’t the priciest of the bunch? Well, say hello to its top-down counterpart, the 1967 Chevrolet Corvette L88 Convertible.
One of the original (and only) 20 1967 L88s to roll off the lot, this crimson-colored masterpiece of design and engineering sold for $3.4 million in 2013, setting a record that few other L88s have broken.
Why It’s Expensive
Owning a 1967 Chevrolet Corvette L88, coupe or convertible, is akin to owning a crown jewel. These cars only get more valuable over time, as they achieved legendary status among sports car enthusiasts as soon as they were released.
But if you think this $3.4 million 1967 Corvette L88 is the priciest one from the rare 20-car release, you’ll want to think again!
2. 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 VIN 001 – $3.7 Million
Though the 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 is one of the newest additions to the Corvette lineup, it’s also one of the most extravagant and expensive. But while the average off-the-lot version of this vehicle costs between $100,000 and $160,000, the first version to roll off the factory floor is worth far more.
This neon-yellow two-door sports car features a seamless aerodynamic exterior, a V-shaped front end, and a waved rear spoiler. It can produce 670 horsepower, which makes it equal parts engineering feat and stylish supercar. When this car debuted at a charity auction in 2022, it turned heads and opened wallets, selling for an impressive $3.7 million.
Why It’s Expensive
While this contemporary Corvette might not be as pricey as the most expensive Porsche cars, it’s still a notable addition to the Corvette lineup.
Admittedly, it’s a revamped and modernized version of the 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Split-Window Coupe, so it’s not an entirely new concept. But the design changes and upgraded V8 engine give it an appearance and driving capability that sets it apart from other Corvettes.
Proceeds from this car’s sale were donated to the nonprofit charity Operation Homefront, an organization dedicated to providing aid to military personnel and their family members.
1. 1967 Chevrolet Corvette L88 2-Door Coupe – $3.85 Million
The most expensive Corvette of all time is the 1967 Chevrolet Corvette L88 2-Door Coupe. This cherry-red Corvette sold for a jaw-dropping $3.85 million when it went to auction in 2014, exceeding the price of the much newer 2023 Z06 by $150,000.
Why It’s Expensive
You could fill a small notebook with the reasons this Corvette is expensive. But, to keep things concise, let’s touch on a handful of the most crucial qualities making the 1967 Chevrolet Corvette L88 2-Door Coupe the priciest Corvette of all time.
Corvette made fewer than two dozen of these cars, which were the pinnacle of automotive performance when released. Though this car lacks several of the conveniences and comforts found in consumer-friendly cars from the same period, it makes up for the lack of dashboard radio with its raw power and allure.
Catering to only the most dedicated Corvette fans and motorheads, the 1967 Chevrolet Corvette L88 2-Door Coupe remains one of the most elusive and desirable American-made vehicles in the world. This high demand and dwindling supply mean that the few remaining 1967 L88 2-Doors will only become more valuable over time.
What’s the Most Expensive Corvette You Can Buy Today?
If you’re unwilling to wait for these high-value cars to appear at local auctions, you might want to invest in one of the priciest brand-new Corvettes, like the 2023 Chevy Corvette Z06 or 2022 Corvette Stingray 3LT.
While these vehicles don’t have notable ownership histories or vintage charm, they’re both sleek and speedy supercars that are sure to turn heads. But the 2023 Chevy Corvette Z06 might be the better choice, especially if you’re looking for the most innovative features and luxurious add-on packages.
Though these additional goodies can push the price to (or past) the $160,000 benchmark, there’s no better way to enjoy a factory-fresh Corvette convertible or coupe.
But, of course, if you’re in the market for one of the most valuable Corvettes, you’ll either want to seek out the first 2023 Z06 or practice patience and wait for one of the vintage models included in this ranking to hit the market.
What’s the Most Expensive Corvette of All Time?
The most expensive Corvette is the 1967 Chevrolet Corvette L88 2-Door Coupe. This antique sportscar sold for $3.85 million when it went to auction in 2014.
For perspective, you could afford almost four luxurious Los Angeles homes for the price of this bright red Corvette! Still, you can’t cruise down the California coastline in a four-bedroom mansion, but you could if you owned this costly coupe.
No luxurious lifestyle would be complete without high-value items and experiences. Check out these related articles to learn more!