The under 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 1,000Km, and the Targa Florio. Not to mention national races throughout Europe and SCCA races throughout the US. Alfa Romeo, Lotus, Porsche, Triumph all designed very lightweight, successful competition cars. Abarth, an Italian specialty tuner, modified small-bore GT cars from FIAT and SIMCA all with great success. These under 2-liter GT cars filled up the racing grids on both sides of the Atlantic and provided some exciting automobile racing.
Today under 2-liter GT cars qualify to race in many great historic events worldwide from the Monterey Historics to 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 legitimate GT competition cars have steadily been increasing in value.
The value today of an under 2-liter GT car is determined by many factors: the car still having its unique competition features available on a race version, which were not available on a production version, the quality of restoration, and a good provenance.
| Make | Model | Level III | Level II | Level I |
| Abarth – Fiat | 750/850 Zagato | $25,000 | $35,000 | $40,000 |
| 1000 Bialbero | $40,000 | $50,000 | $65,000 | |
| 1300/2000 OT | $100,000 | $125,000 | $150,000 | |
| Abarth-Simca | 1300 GT | $70,000 | $90,000 | $100,000 |
| 2000 GT | $175,000 | $200,000 | $225,000 | |
| AC | Bristol Coupe | $40,000 | $60,000 | $70,000 |
| Bristol Roadster | $90,000 | $110,000 | $135,000 | |
| Alfa-Romeo | Giulietta Sprint/ Spyder/Veloce | $25,000 | $35,000 | $45,000 |
| SVZ | $70,000 | $80,000 | $90,000 | |
| SZ1/ SZ2 | $100,000 | $125,000 | $150,000 | |
| GTZ-1 | $275,000 | $325,000 | $350,000 | |
| GTZ-2 | $1,100,000 | $1,300,000 | $1,400,000 | |
| GTA 1600 Corsa | $80,000 | $100,000 | $120,000 | |
| GTA Junior 1300 | $35,000 | $40,000 | $50,000 | |
| Alpine Renault | A110 | $40,000 | $50,000 | $65,000 |
| Arnolt-Bristol | $50,000 | $55,000 | $65,000 | |
| Austin-Healey | Sprite | $15,000 | $20,000 | $25,000 |
| Devin | Porsche | $25,000 | $35,000 | $45,000 |
| Elva | Courier | $15,000 | $25,000 | $35,000 |
| Frazer Nash | LeMans | $275,000 | $300,000 | $350,000 |
| Lancia | Appia Zagato | $25,000 | $30,000 | $40,000 |
| B20 GT | $50,000 | $65,000 | $80,000 | |
| Flaminia Sport Zagato | $40,000 | $60,000 | $75,000 | |
| Lotus | Elite | $25,000 | $35,000 | $45,000 |
| Super 7 S.1/S.2 | $20,000 | $25,000 | $35,000 | |
| 26R | $70,000 | $100,000 | $115,000 | |
| 47 | $65,000 | $75,000 | $90,000 | |
| Maserati | A6G 2000 | $450,000 | $550,000 | $600,000 |
| MG | MGA Twincam | $20,000 | $25,000 | $35,000 |
| MGB | $10,000 | $25,000 | $35,000 | |
| Morgan | Plus 4 | $20,000 | $35,000 | $50,000 |
| OSCA | 1600 GT | $65,000 | $80,000 | $100,000 |
| Porsche | 356A Coupe | $30,000 | $45,000 | $55,000 |
| 356A Speedster | $65,000 | $80,000 | $100,000 | |
| 356A/Carrera GT Coupe | $200,000 | $225,000 | $250,000 | |
| 356A/Carrera GT Speedster | $275,000 | $325,000 | $350,000 | |
| Abarth Carrera GTL | $850,000 | $900,000 | $1,000,000 | |
| 356B/C Carrera 2 Coupe | $160,000 | $175,000 | $200,000 | |
| 356B/C | $25,000 | $40,000 | $50,000 | |
| 904GTS | $600,000 | $700,000 | $850,000 | |
| Sunbeam | Alpine | $10,000 | $15,000 | $20,000 |
| Triumph | TR2/TR3 | $15,000 | $20,000 | $30,000 |
| TR4A IRS | $15,000 | $20,000 | $25,000 |
Lotus Elite
Colin Chapman, founder of Lotus Cars in England, was a true innovator and a design genius. The Elite was an early example of how to use lightweight fiberglass not just for the car’s body, but Chapman showed that one could build a car where fiberglass could be used to construct a monocoque and body as one unit rather than the conventional separation of chassis and body. The Elite weighed in at 1,300-lbs, was powered by a 1,220-cc Coventry Climax 4-cylinder engine, mated to a 4-speed gearbox. It showed that a lightweight, well-balanced, fuel-efficient car could be a winner. About 986 Lotus Elites were built, starting with its introduction in 1957 and lasting for six years. There was competition success in road racing, as well as cars sold for everyday street use. Today, as with all Lotus cars, there is a strong following.
AC BRISTOL ROADSTER
AC Cars, or AC Autocars, was established in 1904 in South London, England, by engineer John Weller. The AC name was taken from the AC Autocarrier three-wheeler that the company produced. AC built a variety of different cars, but in 1954, created a beautiful aluminum-bodied, two-seat roadster called the AC Ace and later Bristol Roadster. It had a tubular chassis and was powered by a 2.0-liter, 6-cylinder engine. Interestingly, the engine was a derivative of the BMW 328 prewar design. A total of 686 AC Ace Roadsters were built until 1962. In 1956, the Bristol-powered version was introduced. These were stunning cars to look at with their hand-formed bodies and wire wheels.
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 |
