In the golden age of American muscle, manufacturers raced to deliver horsepower to the streets. But even among the tire-shredding legends of the ’60s and ’70s, some models were so rare they’ve become almost mythical—cars built in quantities of 10 or fewer that now command millions at auction.
Among the rarest is the 1971 Plymouth Hemi ’Cuda Convertible, with just seven examples built. The ultimate expression of Mopar muscle, its 426 Hemi powerplant made it a street-legal dragster. Today, surviving models are valued north of $4 million.
Another standout is the 1967 Shelby GT500 Super Snake—a one-off experimental car with a 427-cubic-inch engine derived from the Le Mans-winning Ford GT40. Built for a tire test and never mass-produced, it last sold for $2.2 million in 2019.
Just two examples of the 1966 Dodge Coronet Hemi four-door sedan were ever made, proving that muscle wasn’t limited to coupes. Equipped with Chrysler’s legendary 426 Hemi, it was the ultimate sleeper.
Luxury and muscle converged in the 1970 Chrysler 300 Hurst Convertible, of which only one was built. Clad in white and gold and powered by a 440 Magnum V8, it was initially designed for parade duty but lives on as a one-of-one treasure.
The 1966 Shelby GT350 Convertible was another rarity, with only six examples produced—reportedly for Carroll Shelby’s close circle. One changed hands recently for $1.1 million at Mecum Auctions.
In 1969, Oldsmobile and Hurst collaborated on the Hurst/Olds 442, but only three convertibles were built for VIPs. That same year, Pontiac produced just eight Firebird Trans Am convertibles, making it the rarest first-gen T/A model.
These elusive builds weren’t always appreciated in their time. Today, they’re some of the most coveted muscle cars on Earth, more likely to be seen under auction lights than on open roads.