By Brent Davis as republished from CorvetteOnline

CNN Money has listed the 10 most valuable Corvettes according to their research, using the mean sold price. Starting with number 10 and increasing in value we have listed each of the cars along with a bit of tech and specifics about each model. We understand that there may be some very unique or special editions that can draw higher dollar figures, but this list tried to cover the more well known Vettes.

Many of the Corvettes are still climbing in value and as the calendar pages fly by, these cars are only becoming older and more rare. As much as we love the new capabilities and technology that GM has put into the more recent Corvettes, there is just something about a classic.

1996 Grand Sport, convertible – $40,800

The 1996 Grand Sport convertible is one of the rarest C4s built. While there were a few special edition cars built with extremely limited numbers, few are more recognizable then the famed C4 Grand Sports thanks to their paint schemes; which is Admiral Blue, an Arctic White stripe down the center, and two red slashes on the driver side front fender.

There were 1,000 C4 Grand Sports built, but the convertible only made up 190 of these. Equally as notable as the paint, is the LT4 engine which housed: a 10.8:1 compression ratio, aluminum heads and camshaft, a 6,300 rpm rev limiter, and produced 330 hp at the crank. Quite the engine for 1996!

1962 327 “Fuelie” – $96,500

At this point the Corvette was about ready for a makeover, making 1962 the last year of the C1 Corvette. This year also marked the last year for exposed headlights until 2005, and the last time a solid-axle rearend would be utilized, which would never return; after all it is a sports car.

Engine displacement would increase to 327 cubic inches across the board, and they were available in a few horsepower varieties. The most valuable and most potent option was fuel-injected, utilized solid lifters, and had a compression ratio 11.25:1. This motor punched out 360 hp, it was definitely a contender on the strip and street.

1955 Corvette – $113,000

Chevrolet debuted its small-block, 195 hp V8 in 1955, and the engine found a home in the Corvette. Originally the car was only built with the Powerglide automatic transmission, though a three-speed manual would become available later in the model year.

While the majority of GM’s fleet faced chassis redesigning in 1955, the Corvette maintained its chassis through the final year of the C1 design in 1962, as the Corvette was constantly being evaluated for cancellation. Only 700 Vettes were ultimately built this year which make it extremely rare, and highly valuable.

1957 Corvette “Fuelie” – $129,200

The 1957 Corvette has nearly identical styling to the ’56 though this would be the last year of the single headlights. The engine was pumped up to 283 cubic inches, and fuel injection became a factory option. A four-speed manual transmission became available in the Spring of that year, which helped to better control the engine’s 290 hp.

At the time, Chevrolet’s advertising agency used the slogan, “One horsepower per inch.” All of mathematicians have realized that this would equate to 283 hp, but the 290 hp is correct when equipped with fuel injection. Chevrolet actually marketed this motor on the conservative side. This year, the Corvette could also be ordered “ready-to-race” with special options, some of which included: a 283 hp engine with the Fresh Air and Tach Package, Heavy-Duty Suspension, and 15×5.5-inch wheels.

1963 Z06 “Big Tank” – $209,700

1963 marks the year of the first C2 Corvettes, and was also the only year of the split rear window. These cars were all constructed with 327 cubic inch engines, and produced 250 hp standard. While there were several variations that increased horsepower production, the most powerful engine utilized Rochester fuel injection and made 360 hp.

This would also mark the first year a performance equipment package would be offered, ordered using RPO (Regular Production Option) code Z06 was born. The reason these cars are referred to as “Big Tanks” is because the Z06 package initially had a 36.5-gallon gas tank, compared to the 20-gallon tank. Only 199 1963 Z-06 Corvettes were ever produced, 63 of which were factory-documented “Big Tank” builds.

1953 Corvette – $300,000

The first model year for the Corvette was 1953, but America’s sports car had a bit of a slow start. During this year, only 300 cars were produced marking it as the lowest production volume model year in Corvette’s history. Effectively, these cars were hand-built and appropriately each 1953 Corvette is slightly different from the next.

A lack of experienced craftsman and quality fiberglass created issues with water leaks, fit and finish, and door fitment. While these issues were eventually resolved, the public had a negative reaction to the Corvette’s debut.

That being said, all the cars were finished with Polo White exteriors, red interiors, and black canvas tops. Original manuals depict them as options, but all 300 cars were built with heaters and an AM radio. The original cost of the C1 was $3490, and over 200 are reported to be in existence today.

1969 L88 – $478,000

1969 marks the year that the Chevy small block increased in size from 327 cubic inches, to 350, or 5.7-liters. These cars featured 8-inch wide wheels, though tires remained the same. Positraction was an option for the Corvette at this time, though more than 95-percent of all cars would receive it from the factory. Badges were affixed to the front fenders, and it was changed to “Stingray” from the C2 “Sting Ray” nameplate.

However, the L88 was a different animal. These cars came equipped with a 427 cubic inch engine, a L88 competition hood, heavy-duty M22 four-speed transmission, and even special brakes, suspension, and an ignition system. The L88 was a full package, and the previous options had to be ordered to make your car a true L88.

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