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 24 Hours of Le Mans, the 1000 Kilometers of the Nürburgring, Spa and Monza, and the Targa Florio. Not to mention national races throughout Europe and SCCA races throughout the U.S. Alfa Romeo, Lotus, Porsche and 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 Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion 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 including, the car still having its unique competition features available on a race version that 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 | $150,000 | $200,000 | $225,000 |
| 1000 Bialbero | $40,000 | $70,000 | $100,000 | |
| Abarth-Simca | 1300 GT | $150,000 | $200,000 | $250,000 |
| 2000 GT | $325,000 | $400,000 | $450,000 | |
| AC | Bristol Coupe | $125,000 | $150,000 | $225,000 |
| Bristol Roadster | $225,000 | $300,000 | $425,000 | |
| Alfa Romeo | Giulietta Sprint/ Spider/Veloce | $75,000 | $100,000 | $135,000 |
| Giulietta Sprint/Lightweight | $200,000 | $275,000 | $350,000 | |
| SVZ | $300,000 | $375,000 | $450,000 | |
| SZ1/ SZ2 | $300,000 | $400,000 | $475,000 | |
| GTZ-1 | $1,000,000 | $1,300,000 | $1,500,000 | |
| GTZ-2 | $2,500,000 | $3,000,000 | $3,500,000 | |
| GTA 1600 Corsa | $250,000 | $375,000 | $450,000 | |
| GTA Junior 1300 | $125,000 | $150,000 | $200,000 | |
| Alpine Renault | A110 | $75,000 | $150,000 | $200,000 |
| Arnolt-Bristol | Bolide | $225,000 | $300,000 | $400,000 |
| Austin-Healey | Sprite | $10,000 | $20,000 | $30,000 |
| Devin | Porsche | $40,000 | $50,000 | $75,000 |
| Elva | Courier | $15,000 | $35,000 | $45,000 |
| Frazer Nash | Le Mans | $675,000 | $825,000 | $900,000 |
| Ginetta | G4/G4R | $40,000 | $75,000 | $125,000 |
| Lancia | Appia Zagato | $50,000 | $80,000 | $150,000 |
| B20 GT | $150,000 | $200,000 | $275,000 | |
| Flaminia Sport Zagato | $150,000 | $275,000 | $350,000 | |
| Lotus | Elite | $75,000 | $100,000 | $125,000 |
| Super 7 S.1/S.2 | $25,000 | $35,000 | $45,000 | |
| 26R | $175,000 | $200,000 | $250,000 | |
| 47 | $150,000 | $175,000 | $200,000 | |
| Maserati | A6G 2000 | $1,600,000 | $2,000,000 | $2,500,000 |
| MG | MGA Twincam | $30,000 | $65,000 | $95,000 |
| MGB | $10,000 | $25,000 | $50,000 | |
| Morgan | Plus 4 | $50,000 | $75,000 | $125,000 |
| OSCA | 1600 GTZ | $300,000 | $400,000 | $500,000 |
| Porsche | 356A Coupe | $50,000 | $75,000 | $125,000 |
| 356A Speedster | $150,000 | $175,000 | $250,000 | |
| 356A/Carrera GT Coupe | $800,000 | $1,000,000 | $1,500,000 | |
| 356A/Carrera GT Speedster | $1,000,000 | $1,500,000 | $2,000,000 | |
| 356B Carrera GT | $500,000 | $600,000 | $1,100,000 | |
| Abarth Carrera GTL | $3,000,000 | $4,000,000 | $5,000,000 | |
| 356B/C Carrera 2 GT | $800,000 | $1,000,000 | $1,300,000 | |
| 356B/C | $40,000 | $75,000 | $100,000 | |
| 904GTS | $1,500,000 | $1,800,000 | $2,000,000 | |
| Sunbeam | Alpine | $25,000 | $35,000 | $40,000 |
| Triumph | TR2/TR3 | $30,000 | $40,000 | $50,000 |
| TR4A IRS | $30,000 | $35,000 | $40,000 |
1960 Porsche Carrera Abarth GTL
Porsche AG in Stuttgart, being an engineering and design firm, was always innovative. Only 21 Carrera Abarth GTL’s were built in collaboration with Carlo Abarth on the 356B chassis. These special cars featured a Scaglione-designed, Zagato-built aluminum body, which was delivered to Carlo Abarth in Turin, Italy for assembly of the mechanical components. Along with the lighter body all non-essential equipment was eradicated from the interior. They were successful in lightening the car by some 309 lbs. under the weight of a standard 356B. The competition features consisted of the 1,588-cc Carrera 4-cam engine, choice of gear ratios, big vented drum brakes, 80 liter fuel tank, free flow exhaust system, rollover bar and safety belts, making this Porsche a formidable competitor in the GT category. The Porsche Carrera Abarth GTL took class victories at the Le Mans 24 Hours, Sebring 12 Hours and the Targa Florio amongst many other racing successes.
Today these cars are highly sought after by the discriminating collector as a 250SWB, of the Porsche world. They can be used both on the street or racing track.
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, 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 pre-war design. All told, 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 |
