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America's muscle car icon in its 10 most exclusive forms, some of which can fetch a fortune at auction.

Introduced in a media blitz in 1966 for the 1967 model year, the Camaro is among the most coveted Chevrolet models and one of America's most iconic muscle cars. It was devised as a counterpunch to the Ford Mustang that had debuted with early success in 1964. It's fair to say American muscle car fans were smitten by the first-generation Camaro as it sold like hotcakes. In its sixth generation, the Camaro is still a very popular muscle car worldwide, and for good reason. Its muscular looks and potent engines promise fun at a reasonable entry cost.

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While the Chevy Camaro has been popular since its introduction, a few exceptional classics are even in higher demand. That's thanks to their monstrous engines, higher performance, rich history, distinct features other Camaro's lack, and exclusivity. Ticking many boxes in most car collectors' hearts, here are the 10 rarest Chevrolet Camaros cars ever made.

The SS badge was offered as an optional performance package for Z28 Camaros in 1996 after a 24-year hiatus. With Chevrolet's approval, SLP Engineering, a company well-known for working its magic with GM's F-bodies since the late 1980s, did the conversion. The first Camaros to claim the Z/28 SS dual title instantly became the new benchmark in high-performance muscle cars.

Only 2,269 '96 Z28s were ordered with the SS package, and 264 were convertibles. Unique features included a new rear decklid spoiler, underhood forced-air induction system, and a 6-speed manual transmission. Optional features were a Torsen limited-slip differential, Level II Bilstein Sport suspension, a Hurst 6-speed short-throw shifter, and a performance exhaust system that boosted power by 5hp to 305 ponies.

The all-new 4th generation Camaro was selected to lead the pack at the 77th edition of the world-famous Indianapolis 500. The three Pace Cars built specifically for track service were based on the high-performance Camaro Z28. Chevrolet celebrated the appearance with a limited 645 replicas for the public.

These were finished in two-tone black and white and featured the track cars' multicolor "ribbon" fender decals. Powered by a new 5.7-liter Gen II small block V8 dubbed LT1, they boasted 275 hp, which was the most power in a Camaro V8 since 1971. Unlike other Camaro's on this list, these are more affordable.

The first year the Camaro was available to the public there was already a high-performance Z/28 package on offer. The Z/28 was developed to homologate Chevy's new muscle car for SCCA's popular Trans-Am road-racing series to compete with the Mustang. Among the upgrades were front disc brakes, rally wheels and upgraded suspension components.

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It was powered by a unique 302 cubic-inch variant of Chevy's small block V8 sticking to the displacement limit of 5.0 liters implemented in the Trans-Am racing series. Though it officially had a 290 horsepower rating, it was said to be significantly more powerful on dyno tests. Only 602 examples were built, with a Concours example valued at $174,000 today (Hagerty).

What makes the 1970 Super Sport distinct is its power. While GM's corporate racing ban meant you couldn't get a 427 or a 454 cubic inch V8 engine with the 1970 Camaro, the SS option ensured you could get a 396 cubic-inch L78 V8 pumping an impressive 375 hp.

Only 600 cars were ordered with the engine. The potent engine would disappear the following year and with 1972 marking the final year in decades the Camaro could be powered by a big block V8, the 1970 Camaro SS was destined to become a collector's item.

Don Yenko, a Chevrolet dealer/builder of limited-production specialty cars, masterminded a highly-desired first-generation Camaro model. The Yenko COPO special order-based Camaro came with a factory-equipped iron-block 427-cubic-inch L72 V8 engine that could churn out 425 horsepower.

These Camaros were given distinctive badges and stripes and topped off with performance goodies like power disc brakes and heavy-duty suspension components. With Yenko's 1969 Camaro run only having 200 units, Hagerty estimates the value of a #1 condition 1969 Yenko Camaro at $335,000.

Considered a "blue-chip" model among muscle car collectors, the value of a 1969 ZL-1 in #1 condition presently stands at $1,050,000 (Hagerty). The initial production run included only 50 units, just enough to homologate the Camaro into NHRA's Super Stock racing class. 19 more ZL-1s were later added and distributed amongst Chevrolet dealers bringing the total to 69.

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Also ordered through the COPO system, these Camaros were outfitted with a ZL1 performance package with a 427-ci aluminum V8 capable of up to 550 hp. However, the official output was listed as 430 horsepower and 450 lb.-ft to avoid scrutiny by GM. Car #59 of the 69 sold for $1,094,500 in 2020, making it the most expensive Camaro ever sold at auction.

Like the original big-block COPO Camaro ZL1 of 1969, only 69 examples of this 2012-2013 special "COPO" model were made. Built specifically for NHRA Stock Eliminator drag racing and Super Stock classes, they aren't street legal and can't be registered for the road as they got sold without a VIN.

Still, buyers had no qualms paying Chevrolet's official starting price of more than $100,000. Under the hood, there's a 5.3-liter supercharged V8 engine, but a collector's package would swap it for a monstrous 7.0-liter V8. The first example auctioned (for charity) fetched a handsome $700,000.

The first Camaros ever were hand-made "pilot assembly" vehicles built at the Norwood, Ohio plant in mid-1966. Only 49 units were made in the original "run" which were used for testing before the regular production of this iconic model got underway.

The Camaro displayed here, with VIN #100001, is one of those early pre-production models and the first Camaro ever to be documented. It was used to introduce the Chevrolet Camaro to the general public and also acted as a public relations photo and promotional film car. Under its hood lays a 3.7L inline-six engine linked to a three-speed manual transmission.

1970 marked the 1st year of the 2nd-gen Camaro, which was heavily restyled. Later iterations are more popular, but serious collectors lean towards the early all-out performance models as well as unique models like the Hurst Sunshine Special.

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The 1970 Hurst Sunshine Special stands out because Chevrolet only produced three of them, each equipped with an experimental power-sliding sunroof that was never put into production. Only the one displayed here is known to exist, which means that it may one day auction for a crazy amount.

As the 1968 regular production Z/28 Camaro was unavailable as a convertible, this car was custom hand-built for Chevrolet general manager Pete Estes.

A variety of unique components, like a cross-ram intake manifold, cowl-induction hood, and four-wheel disc brakes, set it apart from the regular production Z/28s. Thanks to its rarity, it sold at auction for over $170,000 back in 1991.

Dennis Kariuki is a tech enthusiast who writes for Hotcars.com. Previously, he wrote for the.car .He likes covering the marriage between technology and cars. Besides that, he is big f1 fan. After working tirelessly through the week, you can be sure that on Sundays he is most likely enjoying and following motorsports events.