Over 2-liter Grand Touring cars have always had a place to compete within the ever changing regulations of International Motorsports; the World Sports Car Championship from 1953–1961, the Speedworld Challenge from 1962–1963, and the International Championship of Makes from 1972–1981. This included racing in the great endurance races such as the Le Mans 24 Hours, Nürburgring, Spa and Monza 1000km and the Targa Florio. Aston Martin, Ferrari, Jaguar, Porsche and Ford (by backing Carroll Shelby with the Cobra), all designed very lightweight, successful competition cars to compete in the GT category. In the USA these cars raced in the SCCA and the USRRC.
Today, GT cars qualify to race in many great historic events such as the Tour (de France) Auto, Tour of Spain and Targa Florio because they are dual-purpose race and street cars. They also qualify for the Le Mans 24 Hour Classic and, in the USA, the Monterey Motorsport Reunion and all other race events and tours. Due to their technology, great designs, event eligibility and low production numbers, GT cars have steadily been increasing in value.
Additionally, there was also the popular American series for racing “Sedans,” the Trans-Am Championship, which started in 1966 and for the purposes of this guide, goes through 1972. This was exciting racing with all of the big American manufacturers involved.
Today, there is a historic Trans-Am group that is always a crowd pleaser. These cars have also proved their worth and have been increasing in value with buyers paying a premium for team cars with history.
| Make | Model | Level III | Level II | Level I |
| AMC Javelin | ‘68-’72 Trans Am Team | $500,000 | $600,000 | $700,000 |
‘69-’71 Trans Am Independent | $125,000 | $150,000 | $200,000 | |
| Aston Martin | DB2 | $125,000 | $175,000 | $200,000 |
| DB4 GT | $800,000 | $900,000 | $1,000,000 | |
| DB4 GT Zagato | $3,500,000 | $4,000,000 | $4,500,000 | |
| Austin-Healey | 100 M | $90,000 | $110,000 | $135,000 |
| 100 S | $350,000 | $375,000 | $400,000 | |
| 100-6 MM | $45,000 | $60,000 | $70,000 | |
| 3000 | $45,000 | $65,000 | $85,000 | |
| Bizzarrini | 5300 Strada | $450,000 | $500,000 | $650,000 |
| BMW | 3.0CSL Group 2 | $300,000 | $350,000 | $400,000 |
| 3.5CSL M49 | $425,000 | $500,000 | $550,000 | |
| Chevrolet Camaro | ‘67-’71 Trans Am Team Penske | $650,000 | $725,000 | $800,000 |
‘66-’70 Trans Am Independent | $125,000 | $175,000 | $200,000 | |
| Chevrolet Corvette | Greenwood 1974-1977 | $375,000 | $425,000 | $550,000 |
| BFG 1968-1969 | $450,000 | $525,000 | $600,000 | |
| J.G. 1968-1969 | $350,000 | $400,000 | $500,000 | |
| ‘56-’62 Corvette | $40,000 | $60,000 | $75,000 | |
| ‘63-’67 Corvette | $40,000 | $60,000 | $75,000 | |
| ‘68-’72 Corvette | $50,000 | $70,000 | $90,000 | |
| Cobra | 289 Team Comp | $2,000,000 | $2,200,000 | $2,500,000 |
| 289 Ind. Comp | $650,000 | $725,000 | $800,000 | |
| 289 USRRC | $1,500,000 | $1,600,000 | $1,700,000 | |
| 289 FIA | $2,500,000 | $2,700,000 | $3,000,000 | |
| 289 Daytona Coupe | $7,000,000 | $7,500,000 | $8,000,000 | |
| 427 S/C | $1,000,000 | $1,100,000 | $1,200,000 | |
| Dodge Challenger | ‘70-’71 Trans Am Team | $400,000 | $500,000 | $600,000 |
‘70-’71 Trans Am Independent | $125,000 | $150,000 | $200,000 | |
| Ferrari | 250 GT TDF | $3,000,000 | $3,500,000 | $4,000,000 |
| 250 GT LWB Alloy CA Spyder | $5,000,000 | $6,000,000 | $7,000,000 | |
| 250 GT SWB Alloy CA Spyder | $6,000,000 | $7,000,000 | $8,000,000 | |
| 250 GT SWB Alloy Comp | $4,000,000 | $5,000,000 | $6,000,000 | |
| 250 GTO Series I II | $20,000,000 | $23,000,000 | $25,000,000 | |
| 330 LMB | $10,000,000 | $11,000,000 | $12,000,000 | |
| 250/275 LM | $4,500,000 | $5,500,000 | $6,500,000 | |
| 275 GTB Comp | $2,000,000 | $2,200,000 | $2,500,000 | |
| 275 GTB-C Comp | $3,000,000 | $3,200,000 | $3,500,000 | |
| 365 GTB4 Comp | $2,500,000 | $3,000,000 | $3,500,000 | |
Ford Shelby Mustang Notch Back | Trans-Am ‘66-’68 Team | $200,000 | $300,000 | $350,000 |
| Trans-Am ‘66-’68 Independent | $125,000 | $150,000 | $175,000 |
| Ford Mustang Boss 302 | Trans-Am ’69-‘72 Team | $500,000 | $700,000 | $800,000 |
Trans-Am ’69-‘72 Independent | $150,000 | $200,000 | $225,000 | |
| Ford | Capri Group 2 | $300,000 | $350,000 | $375,000 |
| Griffith | 200/400 Series | $40,000 | $60,000 | $75,000 |
| Iso Grifo | A3C Corsa | $1,000,000 | $1,100,000 | $1,200,000 |
| Jaguar | XK120 | $100,000 | $125,000 | $150,000 |
| XK120 Alloy | $250,000 | $300,000 | $325,000 | |
| XKE Lightweight | $2,800,000 | $3,000,000 | $3,200,000 | |
| Ligier | JS1 | $100,000 | $125,000 | $150,000 |
| Ligier | JS2 | $400,000 | $450,000 | $500,000 |
| Plymouth Barracuda | ‘70-’71 Trans Am Team | $400,000 | $500,000 | $600,000 |
‘70-’71 Trans Am Independent | $125,000 | $150,000 | $200,000 | |
| Pontiac Firebird | ‘70-’71 Trans Am Team | $300,000 | $400,000 | $500,000 |
‘70-’71 Trans Am Independent | $125,000 | $150,000 | $200,000 | |
| Porsche | 911 ST | $375,000 | $400,000 | $450,000 |
| 911 RS 2.7 Touring/ Lightweight | $225,000 | $275,000 | $350,000 | |
| 911 RSR 2.8/3.0 | $550,000 | $625,000 | $700,000 | |
| Shelby | GT350 ’65 | $200,000 | $225,000 | $275,000 |
| GT350 R ’65 | $600,000 | $650,000 | $750,000 | |
| Sunbeam | Tiger 260/289 | $25,000 | $35,000 | $50,000 |
1964 Ferrari 250 275 LM
Ferrari, known for its successful front-engine V12 GT cars and having won the GT championship with the 250 GTO in 1962, realized it was time for a new design to remain competitive. Development of its mid-engine racecar first started in 1961 with the 6-cylinder 246SP and the 8-cylinder 248SP. To accommodate the 250 V12 engine, the chassis was lengthened and the open-roof, V12-powered 250 prototipo was created. The 250P was tested by British-born development engineer and team driver Michael Parks. In 1963, a 250P driven by Scarfiotti and Bandini won the Le Mans 24 Hours. The next step was to build a coupe. The 250LM, for Le Mans, had a heavier tubular chassis to accommodate the coupe roof and doors. Even though Ferrari was developing a monocoque chassis for its Formula One cars, the 250LM remained a conventional tubular chassis with the water and oil plumbed through the tubing. It had 4-wheel disc brakes with the rear brakes in-board. A 5-speed transaxle was mated to the traditional V12 carbureted engine. The body was a beautiful aluminum Pininfarina design. The first 250LM was shown at the Paris Motor Show in October 1963. Ferrari tried to get the FIA to approve the 250LM as a GT Car to replace the Series 2 GTO, but the FIA would not allow the car to race as a GT. Many thought Ferrari had made a mistake, but in 1965 the 250LM had its moment of glory and won the 24 Hours of Le Mans with Jochen Rindt and Maston Gregory driving. It was to have its name in the record books forever as a great endurance racer. The 32 250LMs built represent a milestone in design change and race success for Ferrari. They are also cars that can be considered dual-purpose, for both road and track.
1974 Corvette Greenwood 002
John Greenwood, known in racing circles as “Mr. Corvette,” had been racing Corvettes since 1970 and knew what it took to make the Corvette a competitive race winner. IMSA had recently homologated a “widebody” version of nose, tail and doors for the Corvette, and Greenwood recognized the potential. In 1974, Greenwood developed this Corvette utilizing the new “widebody” parts, a coilover suspension system designed by Bob Riley and a chassis designed by Ron Fournier. An IMSA rule change also allowed Greenwood to develop a unique underhood cross-ram fuel injection system that was key to the impressive power outputs of his big-block Chevrolet L88 race engines. Greenwood’s privately funded “Spirit of Sebring ’75” racer competed in the IMSA series against the best BMW CSL and Porsche RSR factory teams of the day. The results of Greenwood’s efforts in chassis 002 were five pole positions, two IMSA race wins and an official top speed record of 236mph at Daytona International Speedway. This Greenwood team car holds the official all-time highest speed on Daytona’s banking, greater than Porsche 917s, Ferrari 512s and full-blooded IMSA GTPs—at 236 mph! Twelve “widebody” Greenwood cars were built and raced between from 1974-1980, with the “Spirit of Sebring” and “Spirit of Le Mans” cars two of the most famous. Today it is exciting to see those great cars racing at historic racing venues. They are rare, unique, powerful all-American racecars.
Criteria Used For Assessing Valuations for this Guide:
- Degree of Originality
- Overall Condition, Restoration
- Technology, Design, Coachbuilder
- Production Numbers/Rarity
- Competition History
- Ownership History, Documentation
- Modern Event Eligibility
Regional Variances
The prices stated in this guide are based on U.S. values. The values of historic racing cars can vary as much as 25%-35% in other countries, depending on local market appeal, currency rates, import duties, and VAT. Most of the time, we are able to document known sales or closed escrows, as they say in real estate. When this is not possible, a logical estimate of the car’s value is given, based on its sales history and relationship to cars of its type.
The prices stated in this guide are based on U.S. values. The values of historic racing cars can vary as much as 25%-35% in other countries, depending on local market appeal, currency rates, import duties, and VAT.
LEVEL | VALUATION CATEGORIES |
|---|---|
I | The best combination of all criteria. |
II | Satisfies mid-range of criteria. |
III | In need of restoration. Meets only a few points of criteria |
