Chevrolet solidified its reputation as a muscle car manufacturer with a lineup of V8-powered variants, high-performance packages, racing programs, and low-production vehicles that have become highly sought-after collectibles. The 1967 Camaro Z/28, built in a mere 602 units, to the 1969 Camaro ZL1 with its all-aluminum 427-cubic-inch V8, proved what all Chevrolet performance engineers could accomplish when they went all-in. Others created one-of-a-kind combinations, the 1970 El Camino SS LS6 with pickup-truck utility to go along with 450 horsepower, and the 1965 Malibu SS 396 Z16 with plain-vanilla styling to go along with a formidable 375 horsepower.

Chevrolet built its muscle car legacy on big-block V8s, high-performance packages, racing aspirations, and low-production models that now command the most money in collector circles. Along the way there was the 602-built 1967 Camaro Z/28, the all-aluminum 1969 Camaro ZL1 427-cubic-inch V8, and on the other end of the spectrum there was the 1970 El Camino SS LS6 that was a utilitarian pickup with 450 horsepower and the 1965 Malibu SS 396 Z16 that was a steel-sleeper on the outside. All were great vehicles and placed high in muscle car lore due to some combination of factors.

1. 1967 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28

The Chevrolet Camaro hit the market in 1967, and quickly became a favorite, moving more than 220,000 units in its first year. To showcase the platform’s capabilities, Chevrolet released a dedicated Z/28 racing option package, available for an additional $358.10. It set the Camaro in a class of its own, transforming it into a high-performance track spec car, with only 602 units built. It came with a 302-cubic-inch V8 rated at 290hp, although while the figure was official, many believed it was underrated. It was fitted with a close-ratio four-speed manual transmission, power disc brakes, upgraded suspension, and a high-performance radiator, with a preserved example being notable and valued at around $89,300 today.

Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 Performance:

• First-year Camaro sales exceeded 220,000
• Z/28 package cost $358.10
• Production was limited to 602
• 302-cubic-inch V8 rated 290 horsepower
• Preserved examples reach around $89,300

The 1967 Camaro Z/28 is special because Chevrolet rolled high-end performance engineering into a car, and low number production produced it. The Z/28 wasn’t an appearance package it was a Camaro that was designed to race. It came with a four-speed stick shifter, performance suspension and disc brakes, a high-efficiency radiator and a 290 horsepower V8 that didn’t go without notice and the potential for more. Only 602 of these cars were built, they were designed to race, and they have an important place in Chevrolet muscle car history.

2. 1993 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 Indy Pace Car

Chevrolet introduced the 1993 Camaro Z28 Indy Pace Car Edition to commemorate its role as the pace car for that year’s running of the Indianapolis 500. This special Camaro was primarily a styling exercise with a focus on the brand’s involvement in motorsports, and only 645 were manufactured. The black-and-white color scheme turned out to be rather attention-grabbing, with broad pastel ribbons splashed along the sides, and the interior also featured matching trim and upholstery. The engine underneath the hood was a 5.7-liter (350-cubic-inch) V8 that generated 275 horsepower (205 kilowatts) and 325 pound-feet (441 newton-meters) of torque. It was the same 5.7-liter (350-cubic-inch) that was used in the standard Z28, so powertrain specs were not altered, but the special paint and racing association are a big part of its identity and value. The average value of this collector’s piece is estimated at $15,700.

Indy Pace Car Edition:

• Official 1993 Indianapolis 500 pace car
• Only 645 examples were produced
• Black-and-white exterior with pastel ribbons
• 5.7-liter V8 produced 275 horsepower
• Average market value around $15,700

The limited 1993 Camaro Z28 Indy Pace Car offers an example of how a special edition can create collector interest with style, a storied history, and limited production numbers. Chevrolet kept the black-and-white theme consistent throughout the vehicle, extending it into the interior trim and upholstery, giving the vehicle a complete look and making it stand apart from other Z28s on the road. Despite the custom exterior and interior, the mechanical configuration remained the same with the 5.7-liter V8 engine still producing 275 horsepower and 325 lb-ft of torque. Instead of boosting power, the special edition celebrated Chevrolet’s involvement in one of the most recognizable events in all of American racing, with a limited run of 645 cars and average current market values just over $15,700.

3. 1970 Chevrolet El Camino SS LS6

Produced since 1959, the Chevrolet El Camino offered the practicality of a traditional pickup with the performance of a passenger car. For 1970, Chevrolet offered the LS6 engine package for the El Camino SS making it a true utility vehicle with a muscle car engine as well. The 7.4-liter V8 LS6 offered 450 horsepower and 500 foot-pounds of torque and could cover a quarter mile in 13.44 seconds. Chevrolet reportedly produced around 500 El Camino SS models with the $3,764 LS6 package. With its practicality and muscle car heart, the El Camino SS remains a muscle car collectible with good condition models averaging around $69,100 while the better models found at auction are fetching $300,000.

El Camino SS LS6 Power:

• Introduced originally as a utility vehicle
• 7.4-liter V8 generated 450 horsepower
• Torque reached 500 lb-ft
• Quarter-mile completed in 13.44 seconds
• Auction examples reached $300,000

The 1970 El Camino SS LS6 showed that a hybrid of car and truck could be a potent muscle car while still being a truck. The all-important high-performance V8 meant a sprint of just 13.44 seconds on the quarter-mile, but it was the utility-focused design that ensured the model stayed true to its namesake. Priced at $3,764 when new, this performance package is estimated to have been applied to just 500 vehicles, which partly explains its bullish collector’s value, where a good condition model has averaged around $69,100, while a concours-quality example at auction commands some $300,000. In respect of utility as well as maneuverability, the El Camino remains a beast of a muscle car.

4. 1965 Chevrolet Malibu SS 396 Z16

The 1965 Chevrolet Malibu SS 396 Z16 is a rare and unique muscle car that is as discreet looking as it is fast. While it still had curvy body lines instead of an aggressively modified look, the Z16 still packed quite a punch with a 396-cubic inch V8 that produced 375 horsepower and 420 lb-ft of torque, making it much more powerful than the standard L79 engine option that was offered. It had a touch of the extra power (see Z16) the car was offered in a subtle and straightforward package along with a rare and unusual sales strategy, as Chevrolet told dealers to quietly tell a few customers about it instead of marketing it extensively. As a result of the limited run (only 201 were produced) and desirable mechanicals, Z16s tend to bring about $96,000.

Malibu SS Z16 Exclusivity:

• Production totaled only 201 units
• Chevrolet used discreet dealer promotion
• 396-cubic-inch V8 delivered 375 horsepower
• Torque reached 420 lb-ft
• Collector values approach $96,000

The Malibu SS 396 Z16 is a case study in how Chevrolet achieved exclusivity without aggressive marketing or wild styling, since the Z16 was not widely publicized. Interested buyers were quietly notified by their local dealership and only the select few received the option, helping to keep the model a relative secret. Only 201 total Z16’s were produced, making it a much rarer find than many other Chevrolet muscle cars, while the 396-cubic-inch V8 it was fitted with generated 375 horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque beneath its tame sheet metal. It was also a significant upgrade from the standard L79 V8. Its relatively low production numbers and styling setup makes it an attractive collector’s item, with mint versions trading hands for around $96,000.

5. 1969 Chevrolet Camaro Yenko

The 1969 Chevrolet Camaro Yenko was born out of the racing habit and enthusiasm of Don Yenko, a local racecar driver and automobile dealer who wished to offer his customers more power than the factory was willing to offer. Through General Motors’ Central Office Production Order (COPO), Yenko was able to skirt GM’s normal factory displacement cap and install the Corvette’s L-72 427-cubic-inch V8 delivering 425 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque under the hood of a Camaro. Yenko also added twin body stripes, a cowl-induction hood, aerodynamic spoilers, and a 140-mph speedometer to set his muscle car apart from the masses. GM only built 201 Yenko Camaros in 1969, and their combination of muscular good looks, limited production run, and special engine means that pristine cars are going for as much as $301,000 today.

Camaro Yenko Performance:

• Don Yenko developed the performance model
• COPO enabled the 427-cubic-inch V8
• Engine delivered 425 horsepower
• Production totaled just 201 units
• Collector values reach $301,000

The Yenko Camaro proved that a combination of daring dealerships and Chevrolet’s ordering system could produce a performance car that ran outside the standard factory configurations. Thanks to the COPO system, Don Yenko was able to order the installation of the L-72 427-cid V8, resulting in 425 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. The engine was far from the sole special equipment, with twin body stripes, a cowl-induction hood, spoilers, and a 140 mph speedometer also making it stand out. 201 of these cars were built in 1969, meaning that it was rare from the moment it was built and its general package of engineering, aggressive looks, and scarcity means it has one of the highest values here. Any well-preserved examples can be valued at $301,000.

6. 1969 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

Chevrolet Expanded the Limits of the Muscle Car Line-up with the Camaro ZL1 in 1969 Source Micharl Miller/Automotive History.org Chevrolets Edge of Muscle Car Performance with the ZL1 The ZL1 was a drag racing authorized option developed by Chevrolet in 1969. It utilized the MOPAR-like Central Office Production Order to build a Camaro with a 420 hp all-aluminum 427-cubic-inch big-block V8 engine and officially rated at 425 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque, though factory ratings of 375 hp were more typical of the time. The all-aluminum engine could be had with basic tuning for up to 500 hp but would add to the cost of the car by almost doubling the price resulting in only 69 built and making it one of the most desirable of the Camaro’s so historically significant ZL1s always easily fetch up to $1 million at auction.

Camaro ZL1 Engineering:

• Built specifically for drag racing
• All-aluminum 427-cubic-inch V8 engine
• Official output reached 425 horsepower
• Basic tuning could reach 500 horsepower
• Only 69 examples were sold

ZL1 was one of the only vehicles ever to be fully designed and engineered in-house by Chevrolet, with the sole intention of achieving the highest possible power-to-weight ratio. Thanks to Chevrolet’s COPO ordering system, this was finally an option, but the ultra-premium price tag posed a real obstacle to purchase, doubling the total price of the Camaro to just 69 units. The engine’s official power rating was 425 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque, but it was tested on the factory dyno at 375 hp, and it was capable of running at 500 hp with a basic tune, which makes it one of the more desirable collector cars around. The fact that it was designed for only one purpose-drag-racing is one of the key reasons it’s so rare today, and is worth up to $1 million at auction.

7. 1963 Chevrolet Impala RPO Z11

The 1963 Chevrolet Impala RPO Z11 was a special one-off car that was primarily designed to be set up for drag-strip race use. Several weight-saving elements included the deletion of the radio, heater, soundproofing among other things and this reduced the curb weight of the car by more than 300 pounds over a standard-production Impala. The aluminum body parts (which included the hood, front and rear bumpers, and fenders) shaved off additional weight and this lowered the curb weight even further. Under the hood was a 7.0-liter V8 that was capable of producing 430-horsepower and 575 ft-lbs of torque. Only 57 examples were ever made by Chevrolet, and the vast majority of these were finished in white with only two having Ivy Green paint and these rare few are differentiated by their factory performance engineering and limited production run.

Impala RPO Z11 Racing:

• Designed exclusively for drag-strip competition
• Lightweight construction removed over 300 pounds
• 7.0-liter V8 produced 430 horsepower
• Torque reached 575 lb-ft
• Only 57 examples were produced

The Impala RPO Z11 is a reminder of how Chevrolet took a common full-size coupe and transformed it into a high-performance factory competition vehicle. Chevrolets radio, heater, and soundproofing were discarded to help lighten the load, and aluminum body parts made the Impala even more light-footed. The hood, fenders, and the entire front and rear bumpers were all fabricated from lightweight aluminum, helping shave over 300 pounds off of the car when compared to the standard Impala. Its 7.0-liter V8 engine produced 430 horsepower and 575 lb-ft of torque, perfect for the Impala’s drag-racing mission. Only 57 of these cars were built, and they were finished in Ermine White with a pair of Ivy Green paint jobs, which is interesting because all but two of them came in white.

8. 1968 Chevrolet Nova SS COPO

COPO proved that small could be beautiful when it comes to Street Performance. Chevrolet used its Central Office Production Order system to install a high-performance package of mechanical parts in the lightweight semi-fastback body. Topping that package was an L78 396-cubic-inch V8 that put out 375 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque. It was mated to an experimental heavy-duty version of the Turbo-Hydramatic 400 automatic transmission an oddball in the diminutive Nova. That package was limited to just 50 examples, and automotive historians estimate that of those, just 12 still exist. That rarity has added to its collectability a Nova SS COPO recently brought $145,000 at auction at Mecum.

Nova SS COPO Rarity:

• Compact semi-fastback performance platform
• L78 396-cubic-inch V8 engine
• Output reached 375 horsepower
• Production was limited to 50
• Mecum auction sale reached $145,000

The Nova SS COPO was important because it was a short-wheelbase body with performance equipment you would more typically expect on a mean machine. Using the COPO ordering system, Chevrolet ordered the L78 396-cid V8 with 375 horsepower, 400 pound-feet of torque, and an experimental heavy-duty Turbo-Hydramatic 400 automatic transmission. Only 50 were built, and an estimated 12 or so still exist, making them a favorite among collectors of muscle cars for their rarity. Mecum currently reports a sale of $145,000 at auction, which shows how the combination of engine, size, and rarity has been a recipe for ownership of these cars.

9. 1969 Chevrolet Camaro Berger Double COPO

The 1969 Chevrolet Camaro Berger Double COPO series was created at Berger Chevrolet in Grand Rapids, MI. The dealer utilized the General Motors’ Central Office Production Order application which combined two high-performance factory options into a single vehicle order. In the middle was the L72 427-ci V8 (425hp/460 ft-lbs), with a Sports Car Conversion Package of heavy-duty springs & shocks to tune the handling while retaining the large powerplant. The combination of high horsepower engine with added suspension package made for one of the rarest high-performance model combinations on the Chevrolet Camaro. As few as 40-58 copies of this special dual-COPO, including a complete history of production built by Berger Chevrolet, have been auctioned with the most pristine bringing a high of $286,000.

Berger Double COPO Performance:

• Originated at Berger Chevrolet dealership
• L72 427-cubic-inch V8 engine
• Engine delivered 425 horsepower
• Heavy-duty springs and shocks
• Pristine auction examples reached $286,000

The Berger Double COPO Camaro serves as a prime example of how a dealer could leverage Chevrolet’s ordering system to combine dealer-specific performance options into a less common configuration. Powered by a 425-horsepower, 460 pound-foot L72 427-cubic-inch V8, complemented by the optional Sports Car Conversion Package with heavy-duty springs and shocks, the double COPO was significantly different from a standard Camaro. Estimates indicate 40 to 58 were built, further increasing its scarcity. Its desirability stems from its rare double-COPO setup, big block power and extra suspension hardware, having achieved as much as $286,000 on the open market for a pristine example, demonstrating that high value has been commanded at auction due to its uniqueness. Its collectible status has been defined as an example of the extreme performance potential available using the Chevrolet COPO system.

10. 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454 LS6 Convertible

The 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454 LS6 Convertible offered the best combination of big-block power and top-down motoring. The 454-cubic-inch V8 punched out 450 horsepower, 500 lb-ft of torque, putting it among the top levels of power available in a production car. Gearheads could select between a three-speed M40 Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic transmission and a four-speed Muncie M22 manual. Built by Chevrolet, the performance model received heavy-duty suspension, power front disc brakes, and menacing blacked-out front grilles. Limited demand meant that this muscle car remained scarce, as many buyers preferred the harder-charging, race car-optimized hardtop model. It is estimated that GM produced 12-25 hardtop convertibles, and today, they’re some of the most expensive collectibles in muscle car circles, with values up to $274,000 at auction.

Chevelle SS LS6 Convertible:

• 454-cubic-inch V8 produced 450 horsepower
• Torque reached 500 lb-ft
• Automatic and manual transmissions available
• Estimated production of 12-25 convertibles
• Auction values reached $274,000

Convertible was an even more unexpected and remarkable blend of prodigious muscle car power and open-top motoring. While its 450-horsepower V8 engine and 500 foot pounds of torque were worth writing home about, buyers had a choice of the turbo-hydramatic M40 automatic, or four-speed Muncie M22 manual transmission. Heavy-duty suspension, power front disc brakes, and blacked out front grilles also added performance muscle to the open-top car. An very low number of the LS6 convertibles were built, as most racers and muscle car fans wanted the more rigid body with a hardtop roof, but an estimated 12 to 25 Chevelle SS 454 LS6 convertibles survive today. The big block motor, convertible styling, and extreme rarity now fetch auction prices up to $274,000.