46. 1969 Chevrolet Corvette ZL-1
This next muscle car is one of the rarest models of Corvette ever produced. The ’69 Corvette ZL-1 is C3 Stingray fitted with an all-aluminum engine. Only a handful were produced due to the cost of the upgrade and the porosity of aluminum. Of the few that made it to the streets, 3 have been found. One of the owners still drives and races it on occasion!
At the time, it was reviewed as the fastest production car ever sold. As mentioned above, the engine was an all-aluminum 427 CID big-block engine listed at 430 gross horsepower, it propelled the ZL1 through the 1/4 mile in 11.6 seconds.
This kind of speed came at a price. The ZL-1 package cost a whopping $4,700 (the ZL1 was $3,010 option that consisted of aluminum cylinder block and heads on top of the L88 option). That was some serious cash to be throwing around at the time. And while it was believed to deliver at least 100 HP more than advertised, it was proved to be only rumors. Regardless of horsepower, this car was a speed demon fit for a track.
This ZL-1 is truly a legend though. With its lightning fast speed and extra light weight engine, it is a perfect recipe for a muscle car. If only more had been made…
Engine: 427 BBL Aluminum V-8 – Top speed: 193 mph –
Quarter mile time: 11.6 seconds – 0-60 mph time: 3.9 seconds