Over 2-Liter Grand Touring Cars – 2003 Market & Price Guide

The over 2 liter Grand Touring (GT) 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, the International Championship of Makes from 1964-1971, and the World 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 U.S. 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 because they are dual purpose race and street cars. Due to their technology, great designs, eligibility, and low production numbers GT cars have steadily been increasing in value.

Then there was 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 significant 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.

1970 Ford Mustang Boss 302

The Trans-Am Championship was a series created for racing sedans. All of the major automobile manufacturers took part, American Motors, Chevrolet, Dodge, Ford, Mercury, Plymouth and Pontiac, with a philosophy of race on Sunday and sell on Monday. The Trans-Am was a series where the competition was fierce and the fans could identify with the cars. Ford’s most successful entry was the Boss 302. Ford fielded 2 two-car teams: Bud Moore-prepared cars for Parnelli Jones and George Follmer, and Carroll Shelby-prepared cars for Peter Revson and Horst Kwech. The Boss 302 was a highly developed, 3200 lb., 475 hp racing sedan and garnered Ford the Trans-Am Championship. Today this is the Trans Am car to own and race, and the Ford backed team cars are the best of all.

1964 Cobra 289 FIA

Carroll Shelby, with backing by Ford Motor Company, created the Cobra. His goal was to win the 12 race FIA World Manufacturers Championship for GT cars and, on the way, beat Ferrari in the process. This meant taking part in long distance races at the world’s most challenging circuits, Nürburgring, Le Mans, Monza, Spa and others. In order to do this, five FIA-specification Cobra competition cars were built. These five roadsters, along with the six Cobra Daytona Coupes, were driven by Gurney, Hill, Bondurant and others and brought Ford and Shelby the 1965 World Championship. They represent the ingenuity of Carroll Shelby and the desire of Ford Motor Company to compete and win in international motorsports against all other manufacturers. These cars epitomize the golden age of GT motorsports.

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.