Founded in 1911, Chevrolet is one of America’s greatest automakers, delivering iconic muscle cars, sedans, wagons, SUVs, and trucks. Chevy was the first to mass-produce a sports car. Here are the 20 Best Chevys ever.
20. 1953 Corvette
The first generation of the iconic Chevrolet Corvette was introduced late in the 1953 model year and produced through 1962. It’s commonly called the “solid-axle” Corvette. They were hand-built, and only 300 were produced in 1953. Each is slightly different. Its six-cylinder “blue flame” engine delivered 150 horsepower. Over 200 1953 Corvettes are known to exist today.
19. 1955 Chevrolet Nomad
The 1955 Nomad shared a roof design with the 1954 Motorama “dream car” and was a two-door “sport wagon.” It was trimmed in line with the Bel Air sedan and shared an identical chassis and roof line with the Pontiac Safari. It featured a standard 265 cubic-inch V-8. In 1955, only 8,530 units were produced.
18. 1965 Impala
The first-generation Chevrolet Impala was introduced in 1958. A standout is its fourth generation (1965-1970), and the redesign set an all-time industry annual sales record of more than 1 million units in the US (which it repeated in 1966). The Impala featured a new body with curved glass, frameless side glass, full-coil suspension, and a new full-with perimeter grill.
17. 1969 Corvette ZL1
The third-generation Corvette (C3, 1968-1982) was one of the most powerful vehicles available and spawned three of the rarest. The ZR1 (1970-1972), with only 53 units, and the ZR2 (1971), with only 12 units. But the most legendary is the ZL1 (1969). Its 427-cubic-inch V-8 listed 430 horsepower (but reported 460-560 HP). It accelerated through the quarter-mile in 10.89 seconds.
16. 1971 Corvette ZR2
Only 12 units of this extremely rare and expensive Corvette were produced. Ten were ordered as coupes and two as convertibles. It was fitted with a 454-cubic-inch big-block engine delivering 425 horsepower. The powerful motor was paired with an M22 close-ratio four-speed manual gearbox. The ZR2 also featured a special suspension package of bespoke springs, shocks, and sway bars.
15. 2017 Camaro ZL1
One of its finest iterations is the sixth generation (2016-2024). In 2017, Chevy brought back the 1LE performance package. It featured the all-aluminum 6.2-liter LT4 V8 from the 1960s that also powered the Corvette. The ZL1 cranked out 650 horsepower and did 0-60 in 3.5 seconds, the quarter-mile in 11.4 seconds, and a top speed of 198 mph.
14. 1967 Corvette L88
The last model year of the second-generation “Sting Ray,” the 1967 Corvette featured restyled vendor vents and returned to all four taillights in red. The 1967 featured the first L88 engine option, rated at 430 hp but capable of 560 hp or more. Only 20 such engines were factory installed, making it among the rarest and most sought after.
13. 2015 Corvette Z06
The Z06 badge was first introduced in 1963 and revived in 2001. The 2015 Z06 resurrected the name “Sting Ray” as “Stingray.” While the C8 (present) model has the most powerful engine (670 HP), the C7 was the most potent front engine like the original 1963 Z06. It produced 650 hp from the supercharged LT4 aluminum 6.2 L V8 engine.
12. 2009 Corvette ZR1
The C6 (sixth generation) 2009 Corvette ZR1 was codenamed “Blue Devil” internally with its powerful, supercharged, 6.2-liter LS9 that cranked out 638 horsepower. It could reach a top speed of over 200 mph. At Nurburgring Nordschleife, the C6 ZR1 was the third-fastest Chevy, with a 7:19-minute lap, besting the Ferrari 488 GTB, the Dodge Viper ACR, and the Maserati MC12.
11. 1996 Impala SS
The Chevrolet Impala debuted as a full-size car in 1957 (Gen 1-7, 10) and a mid-size car (Gen 8-9). Production continued until 2020. Chevy produced a limited-edition SS model from 1994-1996. It’s essentially a high-performance Caprice based on the 9C1 police package and the quickest sedan at the time. Its 5.7-liter delivered 260 horsepower, going 0-60 mph in 7 seconds.
10. 1990 Corvette ZR1
The 1990 ZR1 was the first high-performance Corvette since the mid-1970s. After 20 years, this C4 Corvette revived the ZR1 badge from 1990-1995. It featured a four-cam (DOHC) Lotus-designed LT5 engine cranking out 375 horsepower, running 0-60 mph in 4.4 seconds with a top speed of over 180 mph. The ZR1 was paired with a custom six-speed manual gearbox.
9. 2023 Corvette Stingray Z06
The eighth-generation (C8, 2020-present) Corvette Stingray debuted its Z06 model in 2023, adopting a mid-engine configuration. It features the LT6, 5.5-liter DOHC flat-plane crank V8 engine. It’s the most powerful naturally aspirated production V-8, cranking out a monstrous 670 horsepower and reaching over 200 mph. It uses a dual-clutch transmission with gearing changes tuned to the performance of this model.
8. 1963 Corvette Grand Sport
This secret project aimed to create a Corvette to compete against the Shelby Cobra. GM executives found out and canceled it after only five cars. Fortunately, they made it to the track, piloted by famous drivers like Roger Penske and A. J. Foyt. One featured a 550-hp, 377-cubic-inch V8. These are some of the rarest and most valuable Corvettes ever.
7. 2023 Silverado 1500
Although not as successful as its competitor, the Ford F-Series, the Silverado was Chevy’s best-selling vehicle of 2023. This fourth-generation truck is as modern as pickups come. A wide variety of engines were available, including a fuel-efficient 2.7-liter four-cylinder, delivering 310 horsepower, and a 3.0-liter Duramax diesel. Available V8s include 5.3- and 6.2-liter Ecotec3, cranking out 355 and 420 horsepower.
6. 1963 Impala Z11
In the early 1960s, Impalas became a top choice for drag racers and NASCAR. The 1963 Z11 was 300 pounds lighter, with a more powerful 427 V8, delivering 430 horsepower. It reached 0-60 mph in 5 seconds and covered the quarter-mile in less than 11 seconds. Chevrolet only built 57 units, making it among the rarest and most expensive Impalas.
5. 1970 Chevelle SS 454 LS6
A muscle car classic, the SS 454 LS6 is one of the most powerful Chevelles ever created, thanks to its LS6 V8 engine. Its 454-cubic-inch V8 was outfitted with a single 800-cfm Holley four-barrel carburetor and an aluminum manifold. It generated 450 horsepower. There were 4,475 LS6 Chevelles produced. Hood lock pins and deck stripes were optional.
4. 1963 Corvette
The second generation (C2) Corvette (1963-1967) introduced the Sting Ray badge. It was smaller than the first generation. Its spectacular design garnered rave reviews, including its hood louvers, distinctive tapering rear deck, and the rear split window. It featured much-improved handling. It was powered by a fuel-injected 327-cubic-inch engine delivering 360 horsepower.
3. 2019 Corvette ZR1
In the last model year of generation seven (C7), Chevy revived the ZR1. It featured a new 6.2-liter V8 topped by a LT5 2.65-liter Eaton supercharger cranking out a massive 755 horsepower. The ZR1 reached 0-60 mph in three seconds, with a top speed of 215 mph. It was the last front-engine model and remains the fastest Corvette ever.
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2. 1969 COPO Camaro ZL1
The 1969 Camaro offered a pair of special-order versions. Both featured 427-cubic-inch V8 engines, which are not available in midsize and smaller cars, except for the Corvette. The 9561 Camaros featured a Corvette L72 big-block. The other, 9560, featured an all-aluminum V8, the ZL-1, delivering 430 horsepower. Only 69 units were produced. These rare Camaros are worth over $500,000.
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1. 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Sport Coupe
Introduced and built from 1955-1957, the Chevrolet Tri-Five is one of the most classic automobiles ever built. It came in 150, 210, and Bel Air trims. Five million were sold over three model years. The most sought-after is the 1957 Bel Air Sport Coupe, considered a design icon of the 1950s. It’s also listed among the most beautiful cars ever.
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