What Is the Rarest 1960s Car?

There isn’t a single universally accepted “rarest” 1960s car: several one-off factory prototypes claim that title—most notably the 1966 Jaguar XJ13, of which only one exists—while among road-legal production cars sold to private buyers, the 1969 Chevrolet Corvette ZL1 (just two built) is often cited as the rarest. The answer depends on whether you mean one-off prototypes, ultra-low-volume specials, or true series-production road cars; below, we break down the contenders across those categories and explain why each is significant.

How “Rarest” Is Defined in the 1960s Context

Rarity can mean different things: a single factory-built prototype that never went on sale, a coachbuilt show car created in unique form, or a series-production car sold to customers in exceptionally low numbers. Each lens produces a different “rarest” candidate, and enthusiasts and historians often specify criteria to avoid comparing unlike vehicles.

The three common lenses of rarity

To make sense of the question, it helps to separate the field into three clear groups. This ensures fair comparison and provides context for why certain cars, though not technically “production,” still dominate discussions about rarity and significance.

• One-off factory prototypes and experimental racers: Built for testing, shows, or competition homologation; typically not road-legal or sold new to the public.
• Ultra–low-production road cars sold to customers: Built and delivered as road cars, but in tiny numbers due to cost, regulation, or strategy.
• Coachbuilt and show-car one‑offs: Unique bodies or concepts on existing chassis, often road-registerable but not series-produced.

Keeping these categories in mind helps identify meaningful “rarest” titles—one for each type—rather than forcing a single answer across fundamentally different kinds of vehicles.

One-Off 1960s Prototypes Often Cited as the “Rarest”

If the bar is absolute uniqueness—one car, one chassis—then a handful of 1960s factory prototypes stand out. These vehicles typically carried cutting-edge engineering, tested future ideas, and are now preserved by manufacturers or major collections.

• 1966 Jaguar XJ13: A single mid‑engined V12 prototype built for Le Mans; crashed during filming in 1971 and later rebuilt by Jaguar. It remains unique and is widely referenced as a prime example of the era’s rarest car.
• 1963 Aston Martin DP215: One-off aerodynamic Grand Touring prototype for Le Mans with a 4.0‑liter straight‑six; the sole example built under the factory’s DP (Development Project) program.
• 1966–67 Ford GT40 Mirage M1 (as-converted): Although GT40s were produced in higher numbers, specific Mirage M1/experimental chassis exist as individual one-offs in particular configurations, making certain cars effectively unique.

Among prototypes, the Jaguar XJ13 is the most frequently named “rarest 1960s car,” combining one-of-one status, factory provenance, and towering historical significance.

The Rarest Series-Production 1960s Road Cars Sold to Customers

For many enthusiasts, “rarest” should mean cars that were delivered to private buyers as road vehicles. In this stricter, consumer-focused sense, a few models from the late 1960s are legendary for their vanishingly small production runs.

• 1969 Chevrolet Corvette ZL1: Only two factory-built cars were ordered with the all‑aluminum 427 ZL1 engine option, making this arguably the rarest series-production 1960s road car actually sold to customers.
• 1966–1967 Ferrari 365 P Berlinetta Speciale “Tre Posti” (two built): Three‑seat, center‑drive Pininfarina show cars that were privately owned and road-registered, placing them at the extreme end of road-usable rarity.
• 1966–67 Shelby Cobra 427 “Super Snake” (two built; one surviving): Built from 427 S/C Cobras with twin superchargers; one was destroyed in a crash, leaving one surviving example. Though a special build rather than a standard series model, it was road-registered and sold.

Within this category, the 1969 Corvette ZL1’s “two built” makes it a standout for series-production rarity, while the Ferrari “Tre Posti” and Shelby “Super Snake” exemplify ultra-low-volume, road-going exclusivity from the same decade.

Coachbuilt and Show-Car One‑Offs from the 1960s

Beyond prototypes and standard production lies a rich world of unique coachbuilt cars and concept-based one-offs that can be road-legal. These machines often previewed future design and technology, and their singular status keeps them at the forefront of rarity discussions.

• 1968 Lamborghini Miura Roadster (Bertone): A single open-top Miura built for the Brussels show; later transformed for materials research and subsequently restored—remaining a one-of-one Miura variant.
• 1962 Ferrari 250 GT “Breadvan”: A unique aerodynamic shooting-brake competition car built for Scuderia Serenissima on a 250 GT SWB chassis; famed both for its singular form and competitive history.
• 1967 Toyota 2000GT Convertible (two built): Created for the James Bond film “You Only Live Twice,” these factory-converted roadsters are the only open 2000GTs of the era and are dramatically rarer than the 2000GT coupe.

These coachbuilt and show-car rarities illustrate how 1960s design houses and manufacturers produced singular statements that still defy easy categorization—and command extraordinary attention today.

So, Which Deserves the Title?

If you mean the rarest 1960s car in absolute terms, the 1966 Jaguar XJ13—a one-off factory prototype—fits the bill and is widely regarded as such. If you mean the rarest series-production, road-legal 1960s car sold to customers, the 1969 Chevrolet Corvette ZL1 (two built) is a leading answer, with the Ferrari 365 P “Tre Posti” (two built) and the surviving Shelby Cobra 427 “Super Snake” (one surviving of two) as notable near-peers depending on how strictly you define “series” and “production.”

Bottom Line

Because the 1960s saw prolific experimentation—from prototypes and coachbuilt one-offs to ultra-rare production specials—there isn’t a single, unqualified “rarest” car. Under commonly used criteria, Jaguar’s XJ13 is the standout one-of-one from the decade, while the two factory ZL1 Corvettes anchor the road-going, customer-delivered side of the argument.

Summary

Rarest overall: Jaguar XJ13 (one prototype, not sold to public). Rarest series-production road car sold to customers: 1969 Chevrolet Corvette ZL1 (two built). Other near‑mythic 1960s rarities include Ferrari’s 365 P “Tre Posti,” Shelby’s 427 “Super Snake,” Lamborghini’s Miura Roadster, the Ferrari “Breadvan,” and Toyota’s 2000GT convertibles—each illustrating how the 1960s produced unique legends that keep the “rarest” debate alive.