Top 10 Rarest Cars in the World, Part I

In the beginning, there was merely a hopeful vision of what the automobile could be in the future. Then, came dreams of the utilitarian prophecy the machine could fulfill. Few people imagined the outlandish adornment, dramatic modifications, and enthusiast culture that would follow. With over 100 years of production behind us, it’s no surprise that some rare and prized vehicles have been developed. And for your reading pleasure, we’ve rounded up 10 of the rarest cars in the world.

1970 HEMI Coronet R/T Convertible: Only 2 Produced

Kicking off the list, we start with a touch of American muscle. Surprised that a HEMI-powered Coronet makes the list? While the Coronet was originally a post-war, full-size workhorse, it was reintroduced in 1965 as one of the first American cars to be documented as a muscle car. The R/T (Road and Track) model was introduced in ’67, available in a two-door hardtop or convertible, and packed either a standard Magnum 440ci engine or an optional 426 HEMI.

None of the R/Ts were produced in large numbers, but the 1970 HEMI-powered Coronet R/T convertible was so rare, with a production run of only TWO cars. That’s right, despite 1970 landing squarely in the height of the horsepower wars, only two of these beauties were ever built. Just goes to show that sometimes the rarest cars in the world are more unassuming than you think!

1969 Corvette ZL-1: Yet Again, Only 2 Produced

If we told you that Chevrolet was building all-aluminum engines for their cars back in the ’60s, you might be bored by our ignorance. But what if we told you they were putting those engines in Corvettes? Well, you still might not be impressed. After all, the Corvette has been Chevy’s front runner in performance since the beginning. Now, what if we told you only two known factory-original ZL-1 Corvettes were produced and sold to the public in 1969, making it one of the rarest cars in the world? Do we have your attention yet?

Even more incredible, the ZL-1 featured in the video above was purchased by a man who took the motor out to use in his boat for drag racing! (Read more about this vehicle’s storied past here.) Race-ready from the factory, these beasts push out over 500 ponies—still impressive, even by today’s standards. Not only were these fearsome competitors, they’re still ultra-rare…like a unicorn in a world of horsepower.

Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spyder: Only 55 Produced

You remember this car from Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. You know, the one they launch from the window of that gorgeous garage. Designed to compete with names like Jaguar, Shelby Cobra, and Aston Martin, this car was a natural born legend. Though, in the two years it ran in production, only about 55 were produced.

Featuring a 3.0L SOHC V-12 with 280 horsepower and a four-speed manual transmission, this model was a favorite of the actor James Coburn, who owned one for 24 years. These cars have been a collector favorite and set astonishing world records of selling prices in the high millions. This car is proof that rarity boosts value.

Mazerati MC12: Only 50 Produced

On the list of rarest cars in the world, it was only natural that we start talking about supercars at one point or another. That point is now, and we’re starting with the Maserati MC12. This beauty may look similar to another supercar, the Ferrari Enzo, and that’s because this Maserati is based on the same platform. Now, we can’t say it’s cooler than an Enzo, but it certainly earns major points for being the less-heard-of version. And why is it less heard-of? Because Maserati only produced 50 of these bad boys between 2004 and 2005.

In the world of supercars, that number doesn’t seem so outlandish. But in a few decades we can see this model being one of the most valuable cars in the world. Check out the video to see YouTube reviewer Tim Burton, better known as Shmee150, take what he calls a “behemoth of a machine” for a test drive.

Pagani Zonda Revolución: Only 5 Produced

The Pagani Zonda is a known supercar in the exotic automobile world. It’s stunning, it’s elegant, and it’s totally bonkers. But did you know there are multiple variants of the platform? And some of which are very rare and very majestic. Well, the Zonda Revolución tops the list as only five were ever built. Not only that, it features the most powerful drivetrain ever squeezed into these cars—a 6.0L Mercedes-AMG V12 engine.

At a little over 2,300 lbs with over 700-hp, this man-eater makes a rare sighting that should fit onto every car enthusiast’s bucket list. Debuted with a $2.8 million price tag, this Italian supercar is sure to only grow in value.

Looking for more extraordinary and unique rides? Stay tuned because we’ve got five more entrants on the list for rarest cars in the world.