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 Historics 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.
250 GT SWB Alloy Comp$2,500,000$3,000,000$4,000,000
| Make | Model | Level III | Level II | Level I |
| AMC Javelin | ‘68-’72 Trans Am Team | $500,000 | $650,000 | $800,000 |
| ‘69-’71 Trans Am Independent | $125,000 | $150,000 | $200,000 | |
| Aston Martin | DB2 | $100,000 | $125,000 | $150,000 |
| DB4 GT | $650,000 | $750,000 | $850,000 | |
| DB4 GT Zagato | $2,500,000 | $3,000,000 | $3,500,000 | |
| Austin-Healey | 100 M | $65,000 | $75,000 | $85,000 |
| 100 S | $250,000 | $275,000 | $300,000 | |
| 100-6 MM | $55,000 | $65,000 | $75,000 | |
| 3000 | $65,000 | $75,000 | $85,000 | |
| Bizzarrini | 5300 Strada | $450,000 | $500,000 | $650,000 |
| BMW | 3.0CSL | $90,000 | $110,000 | $125,000 |
| 3.5CSL Competition | $300,000 | $400,000 | $500,000 | |
| Chevrolet Camaro | ‘67-’71 Trans Am Team Penske | $500,000 | $700,000 | $900,000 |
| ‘66-’70 Trans Am Independent | $125,000 | $175,000 | $200,000 | |
| Chevrolet | ‘56-’62 Corvette | $40,000 | $70,000 | $90,000 |
| ‘63-’67 Corvette | $45,000 | $65,000 | $90,000 | |
| ‘68-’72 Corvette | $40,000 | $60,000 | $75,000 | |
| Cobra | 289 Team Comp | $2,000,000 | $2,200,000 | $2,500,000 |
| 289 Ind. Comp | $700,000 | $800,000 | $850,000 | |
| 289 USRRC | $1,800,000 | $2,000,000 | $2,200,000 | |
| 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 | $700,000 | $800,000 | $900,000 | |
| Dodge Challenger | ‘70-’71 Trans Am Team | $400,000 | $500,000 | $650,000 |
| ‘70-’71 Trans Am Independent | $125,000 | $150,000 | $200,000 | |
| Ferrari | 250 GT TDF | $1,500,000 | $2,000,000 | $2,500,000 |
| 250 GT LWB Alloy CA Spyder | $2,500,000 | $2,700,000 | $3,000,000 | |
| 250 GT SWB Alloy CA Spyder | $3,000,000 | $3,500,000 | $4,000,000 | |
| 250 GT SWB Alloy Comp | $2,500,000 | $3,000,000 | $4,000,000 | |
| 250 GTO Series I II | $8,000,000 | $10,000,000 | $12,000,000 | |
| 330 LMB | $7,000,000 | $7,500,000 | $8,000,000 | |
| 250/275 LM | $3,000,000 | $3,500,000 | $4,000,000 | |
| 275 GTB Comp | $1,200,000 | $1,400,000 | $1,600,000 | |
| 275 GTB-C Comp | $1,500,000 | $1,700,000 | $1,900,000 | |
| 365 GTB4 Comp | $1,250,000 | $1,500,000 | $1,900,000 | |
| 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 | $900,000 |
| Trans-Am ’69-‘72 Independent | $150,000 | $200,000 | $225,000 | |
| Ford | Capri Group 2 | $250,000 | $300,000 | $350,000 |
| Iso Grifo | A3C Corsa | $1,200,000 | $1,400,000 | $1,500,000 |
| Jaguar | XK120 | $100,000 | $125,000 | $150,000 |
| XK120 Alloy | $150,000 | $175,000 | $200,000 | |
| XKE Lightweight | $1,600,000 | $1,800,000 | $2,000,000 | |
| Ligier | JS1 | $70,000 | $90,000 | $120,000 |
| Ligier | JS2 | $300,000 | $350,000 | $400,000 |
| 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 | $300,000 | $350,000 | $400,000 |
| 911 RS 2.7 Touring | $150,000 | $175,000 | $200,000 | |
| 911 RS 2.7 Lightweight | $150,000 | $175,000 | $200,000 | |
| 911 RSR 2.8/3.0 | $400,000 | $500,000 | $600,000 | |
| Shelby | GT350 | $225,000 | $275,000 | $325,000 |
| GT350 R | $500,000 | $600,000 | $850,000 | |
| Sunbeam | Tiger 260/289 | $25,000 | $30,000 | $40,000 |
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 like the Tour Auto. A 250 SWB Berlinetta has it all—looks, technology, design, performance, event eligibility and investment value.
1963 JAGUAR “LIGHTWEIGHT” E-TYPE
Briggs Cunningham had raced an E-type coupe at Le Mans in 1962 to a 4th place overall, but despite other production E-types being raced that year, Ferrari went on to win the World Manufacturers Championship, in the Grand Touring category, with its 250 GTO. As a result, Jaguar decided to produce a true lightweight competition GT car based on the “E-Type.” The first project was the 1962 low drag coupe, for it was clear that a coupe was aerodynamically superior to a roadster.
Based on the success of this design, Jaguar engineers produced 12 competition lightweights, which were sold to customers during 1963. Everything possible was done to lighten these cars—a special lightweight aluminum monocoque, an aluminum body shell and roof were utilized. In addition, magnesium wheels, special brakes were combined with a 3.8-liter engine with special cylinder head and alloy block that produced 340 BHP.
These cars were driven by the likes of Graham Hill, Jackie Stewart and Roy Salvadori. They were entered in races in England, such as Goodwood, and on the European Continent at the Nürburgring and Le Mans. In the USA, cars were raced in the Sebring 12 Hours. The E-type was the last Jaguar to compete and finish at Le Mans until the Group C cars of the late 1980s.
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 |
