What Is the Rarest 1960s Car?

There isn’t one universally accepted “rarest” 1960s car, because it depends on how you define rarity. If you mean series-production road cars sold to the public, the 1969 Chevrolet Corvette ZL1 (two built) is often cited. If you include street-legal specials, the 1967 Shelby Cobra 427 “Super Snake” (two made, one surviving) is frequently called the rarest American performance car of the decade. If one-off coachbuilt road cars and prototypes count, several unique 1960s cars exist—making them technically rarer still.

Why “Rarest” Isn’t a Single Answer

Automotive rarity can mean different things: total production numbers for a model or trim, number of surviving examples, whether a car was built for public roads versus competition, and whether it was a factory series-build or a one-off coachbuilt or prototype. The 1960s were rich in all of these, from ultra-low-volume factory options to bespoke show cars and pure racing machines, so the “rarest” shifts with the criteria.

Notable Contenders by Category

Production Road Cars (factory-built and sold to the public)

These cars were offered by the manufacturer as bona fide production options and sold to retail customers—albeit in vanishingly small numbers. For many enthusiasts and historians, this category best answers the everyday meaning of “rarest car.”

• 1969 Chevrolet Corvette ZL1 — Two factory cars with the RPO ZL1 all-aluminum 427 V8 were built, making it one of the rarest true production Corvettes and among the rarest production cars of the decade.
• 1967 Chevrolet Corvette L88 — Only 20 built in 1967; not the rarest, but a benchmark for low-volume, factory-produced high-performance models.
• 1961–1963 Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato — Nineteen built originally; later “continuation” cars exist, but period cars remain extremely scarce.
• 1969–1970 Maserati Ghibli Spyder 4.9 SS — Dozens rather than hundreds were made; among Italian exotics, it’s a very low-volume variant from the decade.

Within strict series-production terms, the 1969 Corvette ZL1’s two-unit run makes it a leading answer for “rarest 1960s production car,” with other models illustrating how quickly production numbers escalate beyond that ultra-rare threshold.

Street-Legal Specials and Coachbuilt One-Offs

Some of the 1960s’ most elusive cars were street-legal but not mass-produced—either special conversions by performance houses or one-off coachbuilt show cars. They’re rarer than almost any series-build because they exist in ones or twos.

• 1967 Shelby Cobra 427 “Super Snake” — Two twin-supercharged Cobras were built (CSX3015 and CSX3303); CSX3303 was destroyed in a 1969 crash, leaving one survivor. Often called the rarest Shelby and among the rarest American road cars of the 1960s.
• 1961 Aston Martin DB4 GT Bertone “Jet” — A single Bertone-bodied DB4 GT, built as a unique roadgoing one-off; by definition, it’s rarer than any limited-run series car.
• 1965–1966 Ferrari 365 P Berlinetta Speciale “Tre Posti” — Two Pininfarina-built, three-seat (driver centered) berlinettas; road-capable show cars with no series production.
• 1967 Toyota 2000GT Cabriolet — Two open-top cars built for the James Bond film “You Only Live Twice”; they functioned as road cars but were never series-produced, making them the rarest 2000GT variants.

These cars often underpin the argument that the rarest 1960s car is a unique coachbuilt or special-commission road car—because one-offs, by nature, trump even the scarcest factory production options.

Pure Racing Cars and Prototypes

If racing machines and prototypes are included, the 1960s produced several one-off legends that eclipse any road car’s scarcity. While not built for public sale, their existence marks the absolute peak of rarity.

• 1962 Ferrari 330 TRI/LM — A single Testa Rossa-based prototype and the last front-engined car to win Le Mans (1962); built as a one-off factory racer.
• 1967 Ferrari 330 P4 — Three built; among the most coveted endurance racers of the era.
• 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport — Five prototypes made before the program was halted; ultra-rare and historically significant.
• 1963 Aston Martin DP215 — A one-off project car tailored for Le Mans, representing a singular effort in period.

By the most literal definition of rarity, one-off competition cars and prototypes are unmatched, though they fall outside what many people mean by “car you could buy in the 1960s.”

So, Which One Is “The” Rarest?

It depends on scope. For production road cars offered to the public, the 1969 Chevrolet Corvette ZL1 (two built) is a prime answer. For street-legal specials, the 1967 Shelby Cobra 427 “Super Snake” is effectively unique today, with one surviving. If coachbuilt one-off road cars and prototypes are allowed, several unique machines—such as the 1961 Aston Martin DB4 GT Bertone “Jet” or Ferrari’s one-off competition cars—are technically rarer still. The most precise answer is to specify the category of rarity you care about—production, street-legal special, or prototype—and choose accordingly.

Summary

No single car universally owns the title “rarest 1960s car.” For factory production sold to the public, the 1969 Corvette ZL1 (two built) is a standout. Among street-legal specials, the 1967 Shelby Cobra 427 “Super Snake” (two built, one surviving) is often cited. If one-off road cars and prototypes count, multiple unique 1960s cars exist—each rarer than any series-produced model.

What was the most famous car in 1960?

Chevrolet Corvair Rambler
Spotlight: Popular Cars of the Sixties

	Motor Trend’s Car of the Year	Reader’s Digest Most Popular Car of the Year
1960	Chevrolet Corvair	Rambler Ambassador
1961	Pontiac Tempest	Jaguar E-Type
1962	Buick Special	Lincoln Continental
1963	American Motors Rambler	Buick Riviera

What is the rarest car to ever exist?

The rarest car is likely the Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé, with only two ever produced. One is in the Mercedes-Benz Museum, while the other was sold in 2022 for a record-breaking $143 million, making it the most expensive car ever. Other strong contenders for rarity include the Ferrari Testarossa Spider (1 unit), the Bugatti La Voiture Noire (1 unit), and the Bugatti Type 57 SC Atlantic (4 units total, 2 surviving).
 
The Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé 

• Production: Only two were ever made, both in 1955. 
• Significance: One of the most significant and technologically advanced cars of its time, serving as the basis for the successful 300 SLR race cars. 
• Status: One remains in the Mercedes-Benz Museum, while the other was sold at auction for a staggering price, setting a new world record. 

Other Rare Cars

• Ferrari Testarossa Spider: A unique one-off convertible built for Fiat’s chairman, Gianni Agnelli. 
• Bugatti La Voiture Noire: A modern Bugatti named after a legendary lost car, with only one made. 
• Bugatti Type 57 SC Atlantic: Only four were built, making it incredibly rare. A 1936 model was privately sold for $40 million, and a 1938 model is owned by Ralph Lauren. 
• Ferrari 250 GTO: While not as rare as the Uhlenhaut Coupé, only 36 to 39 examples exist, making it one of the most sought-after and valuable cars in the world. 
• Jaguar XKSS: A fire at the factory destroyed most of the production run, leaving only 16 examples of the original 25-car order. 

What is the rarest 60s car?

20 Rare American Cars:

• 1968 Mercury Comet Cyclone Spoiler II.
• 1968 Buick GS 400.
• 1968 AMC AMX.
• 1969 AMC SC/Rambler.
• 1969 Chevrolet Camaro COPO 427.
• 1969 Dodge Charger Daytona.
• 1969 Pontiac GTO “The Judge”
• 1969 Plymouth Road Runner A12 (440 6-Barrel)

What was the most expensive car in the 1960s?

There isn’t a single “most expensive car” for the entirety of 1960, as prices varied for custom, production, and exotic models, but custom vehicles like the DiDia 150 were likely the most expensive, with some prototypes potentially costing even more. However, the Ferrari 250 GT SWB was a highly exclusive and expensive production car at the time, selling for a high price at auction in 2024. 
Custom & Exotic Cars

• DiDia 150: Opens in new tabThis one-off custom car, built for entertainer Bobby Darin, boasted advanced features like a glass cockpit and a square steering wheel, making it exceptionally expensive for its time, although its exact price is not mentioned. 
• Ferrari 250 GT SWB: Opens in new tabWhile a production car, the 250 GT SWB was extremely exclusive, with a high price for its era, according to Hemmings. 

Other Luxury and High-End Cars

• Rolls-Royce Phantom 5: A luxurious four-door limousine with a powerful engine, the Phantom 5 cost a significant $33,000 in 1964, making it a very expensive choice for the time. 
• Dual Ghia L6.4: This American-Italian hybrid luxury car, built for the “ultra-elite,” featured a hand-built Italian body and a powerful Chrysler V8 engine. 

Why The “Most Expensive” Varies

• Custom vs. Production: The most expensive car in 1960 was likely a one-of-a-kind custom build, like the DiDia 150, rather than a mass-produced model. 
• Market Value: Prices for these cars depend on factors like rarity, performance, historical significance, and demand.