10 Rare and Expensive Muscle Cars That Sold for Millions at Auction
Muscle cars represent the pinnacle of American automotive performance and style with their powerful engines, aggressive designs, and rich history. Certain models stand out not only for their speed and power, but also for their rarity and significance in automotive history. Whether it’s the legendary Shelby, the iconic Hemi Challenger, or other notable classics, some of these cars sell for hammer-busting amounts. Here are the most expensive muscle cars sold at auction we could find.
More interested in toy cars? Check out our guide to some of the priciest Hot Wheels cars around.
1. 1962 Shelby Cobra 260 CSX2000 – $13.75 Million

As the very first Cobra ever built, the ’62 260 CSX2000 was American automotive designer Carroll Shelby’s prototype for blending American muscle with British engineering. With its lightweight AC Ace body and Ford V8 engine, the car showcased a revolutionary design that set the stage for decades of performance cars to follow. In 2016, it sold for a staggering $13.75 million, making it the most expensive American car ever auctioned at the time.
2. 1971 Plymouth Hemi ‘Cuda Convertible – $3.5 Million

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The 1971 Plymouth Hemi ‘Cuda convertible is one of the rarest and most coveted muscle cars ever made, with only 11 built that year and just two four-speed models sold in the U.S. In 2014, the convertible ‘Cuda shattered records at Mecum Auctions, selling for $3.5 million and far surpassing previous, similar sales.
3. 1966 Shelby Cobra 427 ‘Super Snake’ – $5.5 Million

The 1967 Shelby Cobra 427 “Super Snake” is a legendary muscle car and the sole surviving example of its kind. Originally built as a factory 427 competition car in 1965, it was upgraded in 1967 with dual Paxton superchargers on its 427 cubic-inch V8, delivering extreme power through a three-speed automatic transmission. This one-of-a-kind Cobra, designated CSX 3015, retains its original engine, body panels, and other key components, adding to its value. It’s also seen record-breaking prices at auction, selling for $5.5 million in both 2007 and 2021, and $5.1 million in 2015.
4. 1967 Chevrolet Corvette L88 – $3.85 Million

Corvettes have a flashy and expensive reputation, but the metallic purple, in-your-face new models you see zooming down the highway these days aren’t even the most expensive ‘Vettes money can buy. For that, you’ll have to rewind back to the ’60s. The 1967 Chevrolet Corvette L88 is a legendary icon, often hailed as the crown jewel of Corvettes. Designed as a road-legal race car, it features a 7.0-liter 427 V8 engine, underrated at 430 horsepower but capable of producing up to 574 horsepower in reality. With only 20 units made and just 16 still in existence, the L88 is one of the rarest and most sought-after Corvettes. The red/red 1967 L88 (the only one with that color combo) holds the record as the most expensive Corvette ever sold, fetching $3.85 million at auction in 2014.
5. 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454 LS6 – $1.2 Million

The 1970 Chevelle SS 454 LS6 is Chevrolet’s top muscle car in terms of value and performance, with the convertible being the rarest and most valuable variant. Although Chevrolet never released precise production numbers, it’s estimated that fewer than 20 LS6-equipped convertibles exist today. The LS6 engine, advertised at 450 hp, boasts a 454 cubic-inch block, making it a high-performance powerhouse. Due to the lack of detailed production records, fakes are common, and verifying authenticity requires a detailed paper trail. Genuine LS6 convertibles typically fetch between $150,000 and $200,000, with some notable cars, such as the Ray Allen Truppi-Kling race car, reaching $1.2 million at auction.
6. 1971 Pontiac GTO Judge Convertible – $1.1 Million

The connection between this car being called “The Judge” and its whopping hammer price makes us so giddy inside. Serendipity, ya know? The 1970 Pontiac GTO Judge Ram Air IV Convertible sold for $1.1 million at Mecum Auctions thanks to its rarity — Pontiac only made seven automatic versions. Originally a factory exhibition car, it was later sold to a private owner. Out of 40,149 GTOs produced in 1970, only 168 were Judge convertibles, and just 17 had the powerful 370-hp Ram Air IV V8 engine.
7. 1969 Chevrolet Camaro ZL-1 – $1.1 Million

1969 was a powerhouse year for the Camaro. Between the Z/28, ZL-1, and SS models, this model year is a Camaro collectors’ drool bait. Since Chevy only made 69 ZL-1 Camaros, though, they are particularly sought after and valuable, to the tune of $1,094,500. The car joins the sleek design of the 1969 Camaro with the rare, racing-oriented 427-cubic-inch ZL-1 big-block engine.
8. 1968 Ford Mustang GT390 ‘Bullitt’ – $3.4 Million

The iconic 1968 Ford Mustang GT390, featured in a legendary car chase in the movie “Bullitt,” sold for a record $3.4 million at auction. It was a staggering increase from its original $3,500 price. After filming, the car passed through several owners, including a Warner Bros employee and a detective who sold it to Robert Kiernan for $6,000 in 1974. The car remained in the Kiernan family for 40 years before being restored to its original condition. The sale marks the most expensive Mustang ever sold, though if we’re talking movie cars, James Bond’s Aston Martin DB5 still holds a higher price record at $4.5 million.
9. 1965 Shelby 427 Cobra – $5.49 Million

A 1965 Shelby 427 Cobra that Carroll Shelby owned sold for $5.49 million at Mecum Auctions. Shelby was the car’s only owner, keeping it from the time it left the assembly line in March 1966 until his death in 2012. Originally painted in Carbon Grey, the Cobra was later repainted in blue with a gold nose, then again in red. Seeking maximum power, Shelby replaced the engine with a 427-cubic inch V8 with aluminum heads, paired with an automatic transmission.
10. 1970 Dodge Hemi Challenger R/T Convertible – $1.65 Million

The 1970 Dodge Hemi Challenger R/T Convertible is one of only nine produced that year, making it a rare gem among muscle car enthusiasts. As with most muscle cars produced in limited amounts, this bad boy is worth some serious loot, selling for $1.65 million at auction.