Over 2-Liter Grand Touring Cars – 2010 Market & Price Guide

Over 2-liter Grand Touring cars have always had a place to compete within the ever-changing regulations of International Motorsport; 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, as well as 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 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 real history.

1974 Porsche 911 3.0 RSR

Porsche AG in Stuttgart, Germany, first produced the 911 design in 1964 as a production road car. In 1967, with the 911 “R,” Porsche built the first batch of lightweight  911-based competition cars. This continued on in 1970 with the 911ST, and in 1973 with the 911 2.8 RSR. By 1974, the 911 3.0 RSR was out on the race track. This lightweight, normally aspirated 911 racecar was enormously successful, winning the FIA Manufacturers GT Class World Championship. The ultimate 911 had won the ultimate championship against the world’s best cars. The 3.0 RSR followed Porsche’s idea of light, nimble, and fast. The bodyshell was made with thin gauge sheet steel on the roof, door panels, and floor pans. Fiberglass was used on the front hood and bumper, as well as the rear engine lid and bumper. A special thin window glass was even used. This brought the weight down to under 2,000 lbs. The 3.0-liter, 6-cylinder engine was built to race specification with twin-plug cylinder heads and twin ignition. It produced 330 bhp. Running on big 9-inch  front and 14-inch rear wheels, the RSR looked menacing. Porsche built 59 examples of the 3.0-liter RSR. They are highly sought after today for use in so many race and rally events.

1960 Aston Martin DB4 GT

David Brown, an industrialist whose company was known for manufacturing gears, bearings and tractors, purchased the Aston Martin Car company in 1947. From then on the cars were powered by 6-cylinder engines, redesigned, and became known as the DB series Aston Martins. The DB 1 was introduced in 1948, the DB2 in 1950 and the DB3 in 1957. By 1958 one of the most successful and popular models the DB4 was introduced. The DB4 was key to establishing the company’s reputation as a quality sports car manufacturer. The DB4 series was the first Aston Martin to be constructed with a platform frame. The DB4 GT was a lightweight performance version that was first shown at the London Motor Show in 1959. It had a shorter wheelbase, with no rear seat, a lightweight body, and a highly tuned 3.7 Liter 6-cylinder engine. The engine carried twin ignition, three Weber carburetors, and produced just over 300 bhp. There was a large 36-gallon fuel tank with dual fillers on either side of the car. Some 95 DB4 GTmodels were built, with 19 having special Zagato bodies, one with a body by Bertone and the rest with the standard Aston Martin coachwork. Today these cars are highly sought after as they are a true dual-purpose sports car and racecar suitable for rallies and races. They are also excellent examples of Aston Martin’s excellent build quality.

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.