The FIA Sports Prototypes were some of the most exciting purpose-built racing cars ever designed. They competed under the regulations set fourth by the FIA (Federation International Automobile) in the International Championship of Makes from 1964-1971, and the World Championship of Makes from 1972-1981.  The regulations changed somewhat as the years passed, 5.0-liter engines then 3.0-liter engines, etc., but the concept remained the same: to allow manufacturers to design the most fascinating, technically advanced sports racing cars the world had seen, then have them compete in a World Championship, which included racing in the great endurance races such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the 1,000 Kilometers of the Nürburgring, Spa and Monza, and the Targa Florio. Alfa Romeo, Alpine Renault, Ferrari, Ford, Lola, Matra and Porsche all designed very lightweight, successful sports prototypes to compete in the World Championship. From this came the Alfa Romeo, Tipo 33/12, Ferrari 512M, Ford GT40, Matra 670 and Porsche 917. They were driven by the world’s best drivers at a time when Formula One drivers still enjoyed driving in sports car races.

Today FIA Sports Prototypes qualify to race in many great historic events such as the Le Mans 24 Hour Classic, Classic Endurance Series and the Monterey Motorsports Reunion. Due to their technology, great designs, eligibility and low production numbers, FIA Sports Prototypes have steadily been increasing in value.

1971 Alfa Romeo Tipo 33/3

Alfa Romeo has a stunning sports car racing heritage that includes everything from the early-1930s Vittorio Jano-designed, Enzo Ferrari Team 8C Monzas to the late 1960s and early 1970s, with the Carlo Chiti-designed Tipo 33 series sports prototypes. The Tipo 33 was the most beautiful and successful car of its era. Available first as a tubular chassis, 2-liter V8, in coupe and spider form, then later as a monocoque 3-liter, V8 spider, and the last evolution a tubular-chassis, 3-liter, 12-cylinder open sports prototype. These cars competed against the might of Ferrari, Porsche, Matra and Ford for the Manufacturers World Championship during the golden age of endurance racing. The drivers were Nanni Galli, Rolf Stommelen, Henri Pescarolo, Ronnie Peterson, Nino Vaccarella, Arturo Merzario, Vittorio Brambilla and other greats. Alfa Romeo won the Targa Florio outright in 1971 and finished 2nd in the World Championship. These cars represent a great value today, when compared with the costs of their Ferrari competition.

1966 Porsche 906 Carrera 6

By the mid-1960s, Porsche AG of Stuttgart, Germany, was well respected for building lightweight, good-handling, small-displacement racing cars. However, from 1963 to 1971 with the influence of Ferdinand Piech—the grandson of Ferdinand Porsche and son of Louise Piech, the sister of Ferry Porsche—some of the most innovative and successful racing car designs were produced, culminating in Porsche winning the World Manufacturers Championship. The first such racecar was the 906, or Carrera 6.

At this time Porsche was experimenting with all cutting-edge technology. The chassis was a tubular space frame design. The body was lightweight fiberglass. The design was wind tunnel-tested for aerodynamic efficiency. The engine was a 901/20 series derivative of the 911, but with the use of lightweight metals: a magnesium case; an aluminum twin-spark cylinder head; and titanium internal parts. This 2.0-liter, six-cylinder, air-cooled race engine produced 210 bhp. The 5-speed gearbox had a magnesium case with ZF limited-slip and a quick-change rear section for various ratios.

Porsche started racing the 906 in Group 6 as a prototype, but once 50 examples had been built, it could race in Group 4. A total of 65 examples were built. The 906 had immediate success at its debut race, the Daytona 24 Hours, where it finished 6th overall and 1st in class against five-liter machinery. At the Sebring 12 Hours and Monza 1,000 Kilometers, the 906 was 4th overall and 1st in class. At the famous Le Mans 24 Hour, the 906 finished 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, overall, and 1st in class. At the grueling Targa Florio in Sicily, the 906 won an outright victory. The 906 is a beautiful and successful design and it was the beginning of a special era for Porsche.

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.