The over two-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 Hours Classic and in the USA the Monterey Historics and all other race events and tours. Due to their technology, great designs, eligibility and low production numbers, GT cars have steadily been increasing in value.
Additionally, there was also the popular U.S. 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 high levels of manufacturer involvement.
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 | ‘69-’71 Trans Am Team | $225,000 | $275,000 | $325,000 |
| ‘69-’71 Trans Am Independent | $75,000 | $100,000 | $150,000 | |
| Aston Martin | DB2 | $45,000 | $55,000 | $75,000 |
| DB4 GT | $300,000 | $350,000 | $450,000 | |
| DB4 GT Zagato | $1,500,000 | $1,800,000 | $2,200,000 | |
| Austin-Healey | 100 M | $25,000 | $40,000 | $50,000 |
| 100 S | $110,000 | $135,000 | $160,000 | |
| 100-6 MM | $25,000 | $35,000 | $45,000 | |
| 3000 | $25,000 | $35,000 | $55,000 | |
| Chevrolet Camaro | ‘66-’70 Trans Am Team Penske | $250,000 | $300,000 | $350,000 |
| ‘66-’70 Trans Am Independent | $75,000 | $125,000 | $150,000 | |
| Chevrolet | ‘56-’62 Corvette | $35,000 | $60,000 | $75,000 |
| ‘63-’67 Corvette | $45,000 | $65,000 | $80,000 | |
| ‘68-’72 Corvette | $20,000 | $25,000 | $35,000 | |
| Cobra | 289 Street | $150,000 | $200,000 | $250,000 |
| 289 Ind. Comp | $175,000 | $225,000 | $275,000 | |
| 289 USRRC | $800,000 | $900,000 | $1,000,000 | |
| 289 FIA | $1,000,000 | $1,200,000 | $1,500,000 | |
| 289 Daytona Coupe | $3,800,000 | $4,000,000 | $4,500,000 | |
| 427 Street | $275,000 | $300,000 | $350,000 | |
| 427 S/C | $450,000 | $525,000 | $625,000 | |
| Dodge Challenger | ‘70-’71 Trans Am Team | $200,000 | $225,000 | $275,000 |
| ‘70-’71 Trans Am Independent | $75,000 | $100,000 | $150,000 | |
| Ferrari | 250 GT LWB Steel CA Spyder | $1,000,000 | $1,100,000 | $1,200,000 |
| 250 GT LWB Alloy CA Spyder | $1,200,000 | $1,300,000 | $1,400,000 | |
| 250 GT SWB Steel CA Spyder | $1,800,000 | $1,900,000 | $2,000,000 | |
| 250 GT SWB Alloy CA Spyder | $2,000,000 | $2,100,000 | $2,400,000 | |
| 250 GT SWB Steel Street | $900,000 | $1,000,000 | $1,100,000 | |
| 250 GT SWB Alloy Comp | $1,500,000 | $2,000,000 | $2,500,000 | |
| 250 GTO | $6,500,000 | $7,500,000 | $8,500,000 | |
| 330 LMB | $4,500,000 | $5,500,000 | $6,500,000 | |
| 250/275 LM | $2,000,000 | $2,500,000 | $3,000,000 | |
| 275 GTB-C Comp | $1,100,000 | $1,250,000 | $1,400,000 | |
| Ford Mustang Notch Back | Trans-Am ‘66-’68 Shelby Team | $100,000 | $150,000 | $175,000 |
| Trans-Am ‘66-’68 Independent | $75,000 | $100,000 | $125,000 | |
| Ford Mustang Boss 302 | Trans-Am ’69-‘72 Team | $250,000 | $325,000 | $375,000 |
| Trans-Am ’69-‘72 Independent | $100,000 | $150,000 | $175,000 | |
| Jaguar | XK120 | $45,000 | $60,000 | $75,000 |
| XK120 Alloy | $60,000 | $75,000 | $100,000 | |
| XKE | $60,000 | $75,000 | $95,000 | |
| XKE Lightweight | $1,000,000 | $1,300,000 | $1,600,000 | |
| Plymouth Barracuda | ‘70-’71 Trans Am Team | $200,000 | $225,000 | $275,000 |
| ‘70-’71 Trans Am Independent | $75,000 | $100,000 | $150,000 | |
| Pontiac Firebird | ‘70-’71 Trans Am Team | $175,000 | $200,000 | $250,000 |
| ‘70-’71 Trans Am Independent | $75,000 | $100,000 | $150,000 | |
| Porsche | 911 R 2.0 | $125,000 | $150,000 | $200,000 |
| 911 ST | $110,000 | $135,000 | $165,000 | |
| 911 RS 2.7 Touring, Lightweight | $80,000 | $100,000 | $120,000 | |
| 911 RSR 2.8/3.0 | $200,000 | $250,000 | $300,000 | |
| Shelby | GT350 | $60,000 | $75,000 | $95,000 |
| GT350 R | $200,000 | $225,000 | $275,000 | |
| Sunbeam | Tiger 260/289 | $15,000 | $20,000 | $30,000 |
1960 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta Competition
This was one of Ferrari’s true dual-purpose race/road cars. It had a multi-tubular ladder frame and a lightweight aluminum body. The body was designed by Pininfarina and built by Scaglietti. The SWB was striking to look at and a performer with a V-12 engine of 3-liter displacement (the “250” meaning 250 cc per cylinder of displacement) with three Weber carburetors producing 275 bhp. The transmission was a four-speed mated to a limited slip differential. Extensive use of aluminum was used in the engine block, transmission and differential casings for lightness. Total weight was 2,350 lbs with about 75 competition cars being built. They had numerous class victories at all of the great road races of their day. Today they are eligible for circuit races and the great road rallies. A 250 SWB Berlinetta has it all—looks, technology, design, performance, event eligibility and investment value.
1970 Porsche 911 ST Competition
There were many variations of the competition 911, but the ST, of which only 20 or so were built, was the lightest 911 ever built. A special light thin gauge sheet metal was used for the roof panel and both side panels, aluminum was used for the doors and fiberglass was used for the front cover and both bumpers, as well as the side windows being made of Plexiglas. All unnecessary interior appointments were deleted and lightweight seat shells and belts installed. In its final form, the ST had a 2.5-liter full competition flat six-cylinder engine with a magnesium case, and Bosch fuel injection producing 275 bhp. Gerard Larrousse drove a 1,720 lb ST to 2nd overall in the 1970 Tour de France. Today these cars are very popular for US historic racing and for entering the Tour Auto and other exciting international events.
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 |
