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 24 Hours of Le Mans, the Nürburgring, Spa and Monza 1000-kilometer contests 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 with the SCCA and in 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 Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion and a number of 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, went 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 | $700,000 | $800,000 | $900,000 |
‘69-’71 Trans Am Independent | $150,000 | $175,000 | $250,000 | |
| Aston Martin | DB2 | $225,000 | $275,000 | $325,000 |
| DB4 GT | $2,000,000 | $2,300,000 | $2,500,000 | |
| DB4 GT Zagato | $9,000,000 | $10,000,000 | $11,000,000 | |
| Austin-Healey | 100 M | $125,000 | $175,000 | $200,000 |
| 100 S | $800,000 | $850,000 | $900,000 | |
| 100-6 MM | $65,000 | $85,000 | $110,000 | |
| 3000 | $60,000 | $80,000 | $100,000 | |
| Bizzarrini | 5300 Strada | $700,000 | $800,000 | $900,000 |
| BMW | 3.0CSL Group 2 | $500,000 | $600,000 | $700,000 |
| 3.5CSL M49 | $700,000 | $800,000 | $900,000 | |
| Chevrolet Camaro | ‘67-’71 Trans Am Team Penske | $800,000 | $875,000 | $950,000 |
‘66-’70 Trans Am Independent | $175,000 | $175,000 | $250,000 | |
| Chevrolet Corvette | Greenwood 1974-1977 | $400,000 | $500,000 | $600,000 |
| BFG 1968-1969 | $750,000 | $825,000 | $900,000 | |
| J.G. 1968-1969 | $700,000 | $750,000 | $850,000 | |
| Chevrolet | ‘56-’62 Corvette | $50,000 | $75,000 | $125,000 |
| ‘63-’67 Corvette | $50,000 | $100,000 | $150,000 | |
| ‘68-’72 Corvette | $50,000 | $100,000 | $150,000 | |
| Cobra | 289 Team Comp | $2,000,000 | $2,200,000 | $2,500,000 |
| 289 Ind. Comp | $800,000 | $1,000,000 | $1,300.000 | |
| 289 USRRC | $2,500,000 | $2,700,000 | $3,000,000 | |
| 289 FIA | $3,500,000 | $4,000,000 | $4,500,000 | |
| 289 Daytona Coupe | $8,000,000 | $9,000,000 | $10,000,000 | |
| 427 S/C | $2,000,000 | $2,200,000 | $2,500,000 | |
| Dodge Challenger | ‘70-’71 Trans Am Team | $600,000 | $650,000 | $750,000 |
‘70-’71 Trans Am Independent | $150,000 | $175,000 | $250,000 | |
| Ferrari | 250 GT TDF | $10,000,000 | $11,000,000 | $12,000,000 |
| 250 GT LWB Alloy CA Spyder | $12,000,000 | $13,000,000 | $15,000,000 | |
| 250 GT SWB Alloy CA Spyder | $16,000,000 | $18,000,000 | $20,000,000 | |
| 250 GT SWB Alloy Comp | $10,000,000 | $12,000,000 | $14,000,000 | |
| 250 GTO Series I II | $40,000,000 | $45,000,000 | $50,000,000 | |
| 330 LMB | $30,000,000 | $35,000,000 | $40,000,000 | |
| 250/275 LM | $12,000,000 | $15,000,000 | $17,000,000 | |
| 275 GTB Comp | $3,000,000 | $3,500,000 | $4,000,000 | |
| 275 GTB-C Comp | $6,000,000 | $7,000,000 | $8,000,000 | |
| 365 GTB4 Comp | $3,500,000 | $4,000,000 | $4,500,000 | |
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 | $200,000 |
| Ford Mustang Boss 302 | Trans-Am ’69-‘72 Team | $700,000 | $800,000 | $900,000 |
Trans-Am ’69-‘72 Independent | $150,000 | $175,000 | $250,000 | |
| Ford | Capri Group 2 | $300,000 | $350,000 | $400,000 |
| Griffith | 200/400 Series | $50,000 | $75,000 | $100,000 |
| Iso Grifo | A3C Corsa | $1,600,000 | $1,800,000 | $2,000,000 |
| C-Type | $4,000,000 | $5,000,000 | $6,000,000 | |
| D-Type | $7,000,000 | $9,000,000 | $10,000,000 | |
| Jaguar | XKSS | $8,000,000 | $10,000,000 | $12,000,000 |
| XK120 | $100,000 | $125,000 | $175,000 | |
| XK120 Alloy | $350,000 | $425,000 | $500,000 | |
| XKE Lightweight | $6,000,000 | $7,000,000 | $8,000,000 | |
| Ligier | JS1 | $125,000 | $150,000 | $175,000 |
| Ligier | JS2 | $400,000 | $450,000 | $500,000 |
| Plymouth Barracuda | ‘70-’71 Trans Am Team | $500,000 | $600,000 | $700,000 |
| ‘70-’71 Trans Am Independent | $125,000 | $175,000 | $250,000 | |
| Pontiac Firebird | ‘70-’71 Trans Am Team | $500,000 | $600,000 | $700,000 |
| ‘70-’71 Trans Am Independent | $125,000 | $175,000 | $250,000 | |
| Porsche | 911 ST | $1,200,000 | $1,400,000 | $1,600,000 |
| 911 RS 2.7 Touring | $700,000 | $800,000 | $900,000 | |
| 911 RS 2.7 Lightweight | $850,000 | $925,000 | $1,200,000 | |
| 911 RSR 2.8/3.0 | $1,400,000 | $1,600,000 | $1,800,000 | |
| Shelby | GT350 ’65 | $225,000 | $275,000 | $325,000 |
| GT350 R ’65 | $700,000 | $800,000 | $900,000 | |
| Sunbeam | Tiger 260/289 | $90,000 | $110,000 | $135,000 |
1954 Jaguar D-Type
Jaguar Cars Ltd., of Browns Lane, Coventry, was building a replacement for their successful C-Type. With the D-Type of 1954, Jaguar brought aircraft aerodynamics and construction to the sports racing car. Malcolm Sayer designed the unique body with low frontal area, headrest fairing and a rear fin for high speed stability. Much thought went into the D-Type’s aero-dynamics, including refining airflow under the car, resulting in a stunning car with superb high-speed stability. The factory cars would later receive a 7.5-inch longer nose, further improving aerodynamics. Monocoque construction in the central cockpit section provided chassis rigidity. The trusted 3.4-liter, inline six-cylinder engine was angled at 8½ degrees and powered the D-Type to a top speed 13 mph faster than the 4.9-liter Ferrari. D-Types won at Le Mans in 1955, ’56 and ’57. Production included 18 factory team cars and 53 customer cars, while 16 were converted to the XKSS road-going version. Sadly, nine of these cars were destroyed by fire in 1957.
1956 Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta – Tour De France
In 1956, Ferrari S.p.A. introduced its new 250 GT “long wheelbase” Berlinetta at the Geneva Auto Show. Designed by Pininfarina and built by Carrozzeria Scaglietti, it was a formidable GT powered by a 3.0-liter V12 generating from 240 bhp to 260 bhp in various specification. In total, Ferrari produced 77 of the 250 GT Berlinetta Tour de France. While nearly all these cars were built by Scaglietti, four were bodied by Zagato, three of which featured a unique “double-bubble” roof line. In 1956, 10 cars were built, all of which lacked the model’s distinctive fender louvers. In 1957, 12 cars were manufactured with 14 louvers and 14 more cars were fitted with a three-louver design. The 1958 model featured a single-louver design of which 30 were produced. In 1959, 11 cars were manufactured with open headlights in addition to the single-louver design. The 250 GT Berlinetta unofficially assumed the “Tour de France” moniker following De Portago’s 1956 win in the 10-day French rally event. This proved to be a fitting nickname as Ferrari enjoyed continued success in the Tour de France.
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 |
