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 1000Km and the Targa Florio. Not to mention national races throughout Europe and SCCA races throughout the U.S.A. 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 on 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 | $15,000 | $25,000 | $30,000 |
| 1000 Bialbero | $25,000 | $35,000 | $40,000 | |
| 1300/2000 OT | $60,000 | $75,000 | $85,000 | |
| Abarth-Simca | 1300 GT | $40,000 | $55,000 | $70,000 |
| 2000 GT | $60,000 | $80,000 | $100,000 | |
| AC | Bristol Coupe | $30,000 | $40,000 | $50,000 |
| Bristol Roadster | $60,000 | $75,000 | $90,000 | |
| Alfa-Romeo | Giulietta Sprint/ Spyder/Veloce | $20,000 | $25,000 | $35,000 |
| SVZ | $45,000 | $55,000 | $70,000 | |
| SZ1/ SZ2 | $65,000 | $80,000 | $95,000 | |
| GTZ-1 | $175,000 | $200,000 | $250,000 | |
| GTZ-2 | $750,000 | $800,000 | $900,000 | |
| GTA 1600 | $60,000 | $75,000 | $90,000 | |
| GTA Junior 1300 | $25,000 | $30,000 | $40,000 | |
| Alpine Renault | A110 | $20,000 | $30,000 | $40,000 |
| Arnolt-Bristol | $30,000 | $40,000 | $50,000 | |
| Austin-Healey | Sprite | $7,000 | $10,000 | $15,000 |
| Elva | Courier | $15,000 | $20,000 | $25,000 |
| Frazer Nash | LeMans | $150,000 | $175,000 | $200,000 |
| Lancia | Appia Zagato | $10,000 | $17,500 | $25,000 |
| B20 GT | $25,000 | $35,000 | $55,000 | |
| Flaminia Sport Zagato | $30,000 | $40,000 | $60,000 | |
| Lotus | Elite | $25,000 | $30,000 | $35,000 |
| Super 7 S.1/S.2 | $20,000 | $25,000 | $30,000 | |
| 26R | $65,000 | $75,000 | $90,000 | |
| 47 | $50,000 | $65,000 | $70,000 | |
| MG | MGA Twincam | $20,000 | $25,000 | $30,000 |
| MGB | $6,000 | $10,000 | $14,000 | |
| Morgan | Plus 4 | $20,000 | $25,000 | $30,000 |
| OSCA | 1600 GT | $50,000 | $60,000 | $75,000 |
| Porsche | 356A Coupe/Cabrio | $25,000 | $30,000 | $40,000 |
| 356A Speedster | $50,000 | $65,000 | $80,000 | |
| 356A/Carrera GT Coupe | $125,000 | $150,000 | $175,000 | |
| 356A/Carrera GT Speedster | $175,000 | $200,000 | $225,000 | |
| 356B/C Carrera 2 Coupe | $110,000 | $130,000 | $160,000 | |
| 356B/C Carrera 2 Cabrio | $165,000 | $185,000 | $225,000 | |
| 904GTS | $325,000 | $450,000 | $550,000 | |
| Sunbeam | Alpine | $5,000 | $10,000 | $15,000 |
| Triumph | TR2/TR3 | $15,000 | $20,000 | $25,000 |
| TR4A IRS | $12,000 | $16,000 | $20,000 |
1959 Porsche 356A Carrera GT Coupe
The type 356 was the 356th design of the Porsche engineering and design group. It was also Porsche’s first foray into building a production car. Never losing sight of their desire to give their customers a lightweight sports car for competition, Porsche developed a series of Carrera 356 with mechanical components from their famous competition spyders. They installed a type 692 1600cc four-cam, four-cylinder Carrera engine producing 140 bhp, with special exhaust and carburetion, a close ratio transmission with limited slip differential, big 60 mm vented spyder brakes, steel alloy wheels and an 80-liter long distance fuel tank with outside center-hood fill. The interior was lightened, void of sound deadening, with lightweight aluminum seat shells, and a wooden Nardi steering wheel. The body had aluminum doors, front and rear lids and a bead around the bottom for rigidity. These cars were produced in very small numbers and are highly desirable today. They are an example of Porsche’s unique engineering skills and competitive philosophy.
1960 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint Zagato—SZ1
The SZ1 was introduced at the March 1960 Geneva Auto Show as the new lightweight, aluminum bodied 1300 GT car, which would bring Alfa Romeo customers competition success. It had been developed by Alfa Romeo and Zagato as an answer to the SVZ, which was a re-bodied, lighter, more aerodynamic Zagato version of the Prioli brother’s wrecked Bertone Sprint Veloce. Not wanting to be overshadowed by a customer’s modified Sprint Veloce, Alfa Romeo was motivated to build the SZ1. The SZ1’s 1300cc four-cylinder engine, when modified for racing, could develop 130 bhp, and was mated to a 5-speed all synchronized transmission. It had the three shoe drum brakes, first developed for the Grand Prix car, and later disc brakes. This car was to become a class winner. About 169 SZ1’s were built. This line of development went on to the SZ2, GTZ1 and GTZ2. Today, an original SZ1 is difficult to find, very desirable and an excellent car for historic racing and rallying.
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 |
