Most Expensive Muscle Cars

Right now, the most affordable new muscle cars on the market start around $23,000 — and that's assuming that you go for the "bare bones" version. A budget car, on the other hand, can start as low as $14,000 for a brand new model. Obviously, this means that muscle cars are a bit more expensive than a typical car will be.

Many of us out there would be thrilled to be able to afford a nice new muscle car, or even better, a classic muscle car from the Golden Age of Muscle Cars. If you ever fantasized about the perfect muscle car, then chances are that you've wanted to sit behind the wheel of one of the most expensive muscle cars in history.

Here are some the priciest muscle cars on the market, and why they're so expensive.

1967 - 1969 Chevrolet Corvette L88

Corvettes are always a status symbol, even if they aren't classic cars. It's easy to see why; they look good and run good. However, the 1968, 1967, and 1969 Chevy Corvette L88s are a little bit more status-y than most others.

These two beautiful cars come with race-ready L88 engines, some of the most coveted vintage car engines in history. Only a couple hundred of these cars were ever made, which makes them exceedingly rare and sought after by collectors.

As a result of both the rarity and power, there have been multiple cases in which L88 engine Corvettes from these years have sold for over $800,000 in car auctions. With certain modifications and repairs, some L88 Corvettes can sell for as much as $3 million or more.

1966 Shelby Cobra Roadster

A good rule of thumb to follow with classic muscle cars is to expect Shelbys to be expensive. In fact, it's often safe to assume that a Shelby will always rank among the most expensive muscle cars out there.

They're gorgeous, were known for their exceptionally powerful engines, have a sterling history on the race track, and at one point, were also the choice cars of the rich and famous. You can't really get a better pedigree than that for a car brand — or in this case, a car collaboration line.

The 1966 Shelby Cobra Roadster wasn't just a pretty little face. It was one of the finest cars ever designed by Carroll Shelby. One which was totally refurbished to the point of being brand new topped charts with a $1 million price tag in 1991.

1969 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

Camaros have always been a classic muscle car, and just about every trim and version of this car will net a good price on the classic car market. Everyone loves Camaros. However, the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 isn't just a Camaro; it's a legend.

The ZL1 has an engine so powerful, it wasn't actually deemed safe for street use. It was a race car, through and through. Along with being a race car in the rawest sense of the word, the ZL1 was also only produced for one year.

Chevrolet only made 69 of these cars, making the Camaro ZL1 one of the rarest muscle cars ever made by the company. Because of their rarity, they typically will range between $500,000 to $1 million in price or more — depending on quality. This makes them one of the most expensive muscle cars of the 60s.

1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 427 LS6

The Chevy Chevelle has always been a darling of the classic car scene, but the 427 LS6 goes beyond that already-awesome reputation. Thanks to the epically awesome 427 LS6 engine, this particular Chevelle is one of the most powerful muscle cars of the 70s.

Because of the high power it has, its last price was a whopping $1.15 million, making it one of the most expensive muscle cars to be made in the 1970s.

1970 Hemi Cuda Convertible

The Hemi Cuda is one of those cars that looks like it belongs in a rap video, has the power of a race car, and also just was made of awesome. It's strikingly powerful Hemi engine made it roar and gain speed faster than than most other cars made that year.

The Hemi Cuda Convertible had the added perks of being one of the nicest convertible muscle cars of the year. Between its epic design and the fact that only 14 of these cars were made, it's easy to see why these cars clock in at around $2 million a pop in car auctions.

Hemi Cudas, regardless of year, tend to be among the most expensive muscle cars — even if they don't have a convertible body. On a similar note, the 1971 Hemi Cuda Convertible also fetches similar prices. One recently sold for around $2.2 million.

1965 Shelby GT350 R

Yet another Shelby that has been cited as one of the most expensive muscle cars in history is the GT350 R, made in 1965. This race car had the awesome honor of being made in a Shelby factor, winning several major races, and also being a three-time B Production SCCA National Champion.

As of right now, these cars are typically found in car auctions for around $950,000 to $1 million. That being said, they're almost exclusively found in private collections and are considered to be too precious to drive by many. Since they are fairly rare, it's a treat just being able to spot one "in the wild."

2017 Zenvo ST1

Most people haven't heard of Zenvo, primarily because it's a new hyperluxury car brand — and as of right now, the Zenvo ST1 is one of the most expensive muscle cars currently in production.

As of right now, it's up for debate on whether these Zenvos are supercars or muscle cars. Why? Because these incredible cars have a supercharged V8 engine that packs 1140 horsepower when revved up. With a top speed of 156 miles per hour, this high-performance car definitely can show up most others on the road.

Is it worth the $1.2 million price tag, though? According to Top Gear, it's debatable.