The world's only 1971 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 classic car, more expensive than the Mercedes GLE

In the 1970s, strict emissions standards, fuel shortages due to the energy crisis, and skyrocketing insurance prices took a toll on American muscle car production.

Despite these challenges, Chevrolet engineers still set out to build high-performance cars. To do so, they had to launch special projects in very limited numbers.

Take the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 for example. This is the rarest American muscle car with only 53 produced between 1970 and 1972.

Notably, 1971 was the year with the lowest production when only 8 Corvette ZR1s were ordered, of which 7 were Coupe (hardtop) versions and only 1 was Convertible (convertible).

This makes the 1971 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 Convertible one of the rarest cars of all time. The Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 is so rare that it is difficult to find detailed photos of it.

Back in the 1970s, Corvettes with "monster" engines ruled the streets. Chevrolet provided "monsters" like the Corvette ZL1 with a 7.0L V8 engine made from solid aluminum, producing 430 horsepower.

But even made of aluminum, the engine was still quite heavy. Weight is the enemy of performance, especially when it comes to racing. So the Corvette engineering team, under the direction of Zora Arkus-Duntov, the father of the Corvette, built a high-performance car with a smaller displacement, the LT1.

The 1970-1972 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 had an LT1 engine that still used a V8 engine but with a smaller capacity of only 5.7L, 370 horsepower. The car used aluminum cylinder heads, iron body but had a high-grade aluminum intake manifold. A new 780 CFM carburetor replaced the Quadrajet carburetor, improving throttle response and overall performance, along with a low-mounted iron exhaust.

The Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 is equipped with a Muncie M22 4-speed manual transmission that is capable of handling high torque but lacks a synchromesh, so it is usually reserved for experienced manual drivers.

Nowadays, cars of this rarity are often valuable but come with a small number. On the auction site Classic, a 1970 Corvette ZR1 sold in 2020 for $129,250.

Meanwhile, another 1970 ZR1 was auctioned off on May 18, 2024 for a whopping $155,000. Therefore, the only 1971 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 Convertible in the world is expected to be worth much more if auctioned.