What makes a decades-old car worth more than a brand-new Bugatti Chiron? In the auto market, sentiment is a currency; sometimes, depreciation is a foreign concept.
We’ve identified the most valuable used cars based on extensive market data from JD Power, Hagerty Insurance valuations, and Classic.com auction tracking. These old cars have outperformed gold, real estate, and even most tech stocks.
While many classics command premium prices, these standouts have multiplied their original sticker prices by almost impossible amounts. Here are 12 used cars that cost more than your neighbor’s car and all the vehicles in your neighborhood combined.
1936-1938 Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic: Over $40 Million
When Jean Bugatti penned this Art Deco masterpiece, little did he know it would become one of the most valuable automobiles. Four were never built, with just three surviving today. The surviving examples are now worth north of $40 million.
Ralph Lauren owns one, and its value is estimated at over $100 million. Its distinctive dorsal seam running from nose to tail and revolutionary streamlined design make this pre-war marvel an expensive four-wheeled sculpture.
1966-1973 Lamborghini Miura: $4.9 Million
Originally sold for $6,900, the Lamborghini Miura is now worth $2-4 million depending on specification, with the ultra-rare SV models approaching $5 million.
This masterpiece from Lamborghini still turns heads today, and that transverse-mounted V12 still draws plaudits for its engineering excellence. The later S and SV models command the highest prices with their reinforced chassis and improved cooling.
1967-1970 Toyota 2000GT:$2 Million
The 2000GT was Japan’s first supercar and arguably the most beautiful Japanese car ever made. Originally pegged at $6,800 in 1967, these rare beauties now fetch between $1-2 million.
Only 351 copies were built, with just 62 left-hand-drive examples. The Bond connection (You Only Live Twice featured a special convertible version) forced many gearheads to take Japan as a serious sports car. Recent sales have shown particularly strong appreciation, doubling prices in the last decade.
1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 NART Spyder: $27.5 Million
Steve McQueen owned one, which tells you everything you need to know about this car’s cool factor. Luigi Chinetti, Ferrari’s North American importer, specially requested just 10 of these drop-top variants of the already stunning 275 GTB/4.
These days, they regularly fetch over $25 million at auction. Factors contributing to its eye-watering price include rarity, the NART (North American Racing Team) connection, and its appearance in The Thomas Crown Affair, which cemented its place in automotive royalty.
1956 Jaguar D-Type: $21.7 Million
The 1956 Jaguar D-Type is a Le Mans winner that has seen the peak of sports car racing. Originally selling for around $6,000, these aerodynamically advanced racers now command prices upwards of $20 million.
The distinctive vertical fin, monocoque construction, and legendary racing success at Le Mans make these cars particularly desirable. The 1956 example that won Le Mans sold for $21.78 million in 2016.
1962-1964 Ferrari 250 GTO: $51.7 Million
The 250 GTO is the holy grail of collector cars and represents the peak of Ferrari’s golden age. Initially sold for around $3,100 in the early ’60s, these rare beauties now command hefty prices.
In 2018, a 1962 example changed hands for $48.4 million, making it one of the most expensive cars ever sold. Only recently, another 1962 250 GTO was sold for $51.7 million at the RM Sotheby’s New York 2023 sale.
With only 36 units produced, each has a unique racing history and provenance. The combination of rarity, racing success, and the pure mechanical brilliance of that 3.0-liter V12 makes this the ultimate blue-chip investment vehicle.
1992-1998 McLaren F1: $20 Million
The McLaren F1 rewrote the supercar rulebook upon its debut in 1992. Originally priced at $970,000 – shocking for the time – these bad boys now sell for over $20 million.
Gordon Murray’s masterpiece, with its central driving position, gold-lined engine bay, and naturally-aspirated BMW V12, represents the apex of analog supercar engineering. With only 106 built (including prototypes and race versions), they’re only becoming more valuable.
1960-1964 Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato: $14 Million
The marriage of British engineering and Italian design created this stunning GT. Originally priced at around $2,706, its market value has since skyrocketed.
Examples have sold for over $13 million. Only 19 were built, combining the already-excellent DB4 GT with lightweight aluminum bodywork by Zagato. The result was an extremely beautiful car that could hold its own on the racing circuit.
1966 Shelby Cobra 427 Super Snake: $5.5 Million
Carroll Shelby’s hot rod is the stuff of legends. Originally built for around $8,000, this twin-supercharged beast sold for an astounding $5.5 million in 2021. Only two were ever made, and Shelby’s car is the sole survivor after the other fell off a cliff.
With 800 horsepower in 1966, it was a street-legal race car. Shelby’s personal ownership and ridiculous performance figures make this the most valuable American sports car ever.
1954-1957 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing: $6.8 Million
The Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing was the world’s first supercar if you ask me. Today, pristine examples now regularly fetch over $2 million. Those iconic doors weren’t just for show – the car’s revolutionary space-frame chassis necessitated them.
With 1,400 coupes built, they’re rare but possible to find. The recent sale of a Rudge-wheel example for $6.8 million only goes on to show how valuable the 300 SL can be.
1973 Porsche 911 RS 2.7: $2.4 million
Porsche’s 911 RS 2.7 was the blueprint for every hardcore 911 that followed. Starting at $13,000 in 1973, these lightweight specials now command over $1 million, with rare Racing Sport Lightweight (RSL) versions reaching around $2.5 million.
Only 1,580 were built, and their perfect balance of performance and usability makes them one of the most desirable classic cars around. The distinctive “ducktail” spoiler and Fuchs wheels created an iconic look that Porsche still references today.
1970-1971 Plymouth Hemi Cuda Convertible: $2.3 Million
In 1970, the Plymouth Hemi Cuda convertible cost $3,433 for the base model plus $871 for the Hem engine option. Today, the rare convertibles have sold for over $3.5 million.
Only 21 Hemi Cuda convertibles were built in 1970, making it one of the rarest pony cars ever. Its legendary 426 Hemi engine, drop-top body style, and extreme rarity make it one of the most desirable cars in the market today. And even the recent muscle car market correction barely affected these ultra-rare convertibles.
