What is the rarest production car in the world?

Answer 1

The previous answer, DeLorean Motor Company is relevant, in that DMC only produced a total of 9,200 cars over three years (only two model years).

But if we're just talking about a manufacturer's total vehicle production, the Tucker would be much rarer than a DeLorean.

However, when most enthusiasts in the classic car hobby ask the question, the most common criteria factored into a response includes:

- Model Year, Make(Manufacturer), Model, Body Style.

Further quantification is given by adding in Engine and Transmission.

When more than one vehicle meets the above criteria, many collectors further add trim (exterior paint and interior) and finally options.

The term "production" rules out experimental vehicles, pre-production prototypes, as these are typically never sold to the general public.

When we consider the top criteria (model year, make, model, body style), at least two cars are tied for one-of-one status:

1967 Shelby American GT 500 Coupe (0131)

1967 Shelby American GT 500 Convertible (0139)

Both cars were serialized production cars built on the assembly line at Ford's San Jose Plant and delivered to Shelby American, Inc.. Shelby American classified the cars as "Company Cars' and they were assigned to and used by Shelby American's CEO, Carroll Shelby.

The coupe has been recorded as "destroyed"

The convertible was updated with '68 styling, photographed for the upcoming year's marking literature, and eventually sold to the public.