Unmatched charm, alluring craftsmanship, and a sense of freedom with a pinch of nostalgia are some of the highlights that make vintage cars cool. They cost millions of dollars due to the rarity and ubiquitous magic they offer and portray.
Unlike modern car models, the vintage car market is not hugely affected by the recession as evidenced by the industry’s high price tags and demand. The prices are constantly increasing, and it’s not difficult to see why buying a highly valued and sought-after artwork on four wheels such as a vintage luxury SUV is one of the best investment decisions you can make today.
The engine’s purr and unique smell of leather on antique cars are unequal to no other in the car industry. Here are the top ten super cool vintage cars you can add to your collection of old chevy cars.
1956 Ferrari 290 MM by Scaglietti – $28,050,000
1956 Ferrari 290 MM by Scaglietti is powered by a type 130 dry-sump 3,490 cc V-12 engine that can produce up to 320 bhp. This superior engine is supported by triple Weber twin-choke 46 DCF3 carburetors and a twin-spark plug ignition.
If you’re anything like us, you will enjoy its four-speed manual transmission. A sturdy independent front suspension with helical springs guarantees safety. You can come to a halt in seconds or navigate through sharp corners thanks to Ferrari’s four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes technology and De Dion rear axle enhanced with a transverse leaf spring and anti-roll bar.
The 1956 290 MM is one of Ferrari’s top prototype racing cars and is considered a legend in the motorsport industry. Its mechanical brilliance and design make it one of the most expensive vintage cars in the world.
1962 Shelby 260 Cobra CSX 2000 – $13,750,000
Carroll Shelby is one of the most influential people in the automotive world. His legacy started with a 1962 260 Cobra CSX 2000. It was the first to be assembled, and only a few California car enthusiasts were lucky to buy one.
160 cobra CSX 2000 is powered by a 2.0-liter inline-six engine with a capacity to produce up to 100 horsepower. Back in the 1960s, a car that could produce such high power was considered a legend. Over the years, Shelby made some modifications, but it still looks, feels, and drives the same as the original Cobra.
One notable feature is the circular lights that serve as parking lights and turn signals, the long nose, and the uniquely pronounced front wheel arches. The interior is simplistic, with the flooring covered with ordinary car carpets. As expected, the seats and dashboard are wrapped in leather. On the left side of the dashboard is the original tachometer that runs from 0-60, a 180-mph speedometer, and an amperage gauge.
1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR – $142,000,000
The design and mechanical features of the 300 Mercedes-Benz were greatly influenced by the previous year’s Mercedes 300 SL, which was introduced into the market in 1954. A 3.0-liter Formula 1 eight-cylinder engine powers this race car. This power unit can produce up to 7,400 rpm, depending on the intake manifold.
The maximum torque is 317 Newton meters at 5,50 RPMs guaranteeing a superior pulling power that most modern racing cars cannot achieve. The engine is mounted on the front section at a 33 degrees angle for enhanced stability. The frame and design also make the car more secure and stable despite being lightweight.
1956 Aston Martin DBR1 – $22,500,000
In 2021 Aston Martin paid tribute to the 1956 DBR1 legend by launching the new generation model. A V-12 twin-turbo engine with 5.2-liter capacity power is fitted in the new model. This engine can produce up to 55 lb-ft of torque and 690 horsepower.
Aston Martin DBR1 has stood the test of time and proved better than the Ferrari racing cars. In 1954, a 2.5-liter limit was introduced following the 1955 Le Man tragedy. The limit disqualified Maserati and Jaguar, leaving the racing tracks for Ferrari and Aston Martin to battle it out.
The front-mounted inline six-cylinder engine is a unique highlight that makes this vintage car special and expensive. The car looks smaller and wider thanks to its shallower and longer body.
There is also an oval air intake around the radiator, and the wings are fitted with humps to ensure uninterrupted rotation of the 16-inch wheels. The doors are vestigial and designed to flex and bend when shut, leaving the occupant’s shoulders exposed.
1957 Ferrari 335 Sport Scaglietti – Approx $34 Million
Ferrari 335 S is best remembered for its spectacular performance in the 1957 Mille Miglia racing competition. It runs on a 60-degree V-12 engine that was fitted in most Ferrari Formula 1 racing cars back in the day. The engine has a 4.0-liter capacity and produces a maximum of 390 horsepower at 7,4000 rpm.
This vintage car which is now considered a luxury car by many was never purposed for everyday road use. Keeping the engine idle for too long in traffic can ruin the plugs. The interior is pretty basic, with only two seats.
The co-driver seat was often covered to enhance aerodynamics but redesigned to accommodate a co-driver. Like other roofless vintage homologated cars in the market, everything in the interior is necessary.
1968 Ford GT40 – $ 11,000,000
In 2012, the Ford GT40, assembled in 1968, was sold for $11 million. At the time, this was the highest amount an American vintage car fetched at an auction.
Before its sad withdrawal from the racing competition, the Ford GT40 won several races, including the famous Daytona and Le Man’s competitions. With the newly developed 4.7-liter 6,997 cc V8 Ford engine, this car emerged victorious in the Daytona competition held in February 1965. The engine can produce 485 bhp at 6,200 rpm.
The previous heavy steel and aluminum material was replaced by lighter glass fiber. Concisely, most of the modifications, such as replacing the wide magnesium wheels with wire spoke wheels, were done to enhance its aerodynamics. Its top speed is 205 mph and weighs only 1,215 kilograms.
1936 Mercedes-Benz 540K Special Roadster – $11,700,000
The unique roadster, Mercedes-Benz 540K, was sold for $11,700,000 on August 9, 2012, at Gooding & Company Pebble Beach auction. Only 761 540Ks were manufactured and released into the market, which explains the high price tag.
Mercedes-Benz 540K is built on a special W29 chassis and supercharged by a 5.4-liter engine that can produce 180 horsepower at 3,500 rpm. Its top speed is 105 mph, and it can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 16.4 seconds.
Like most other vintage cars, the 540K roadster is fitted with a superb four-speed manual transmission. The plush leather interior and instrument panel are hard to ignore, and as many car reviewers say, it’s the real mother-of-pearl.
Other features to look out for in this automotive include ivory control knobs, lashings of deep steel that are chrome-plated, instrument dials, and a white Bakelite-rimmed steering wheel. Its hub has a spark-advance lever, unbelievable!
1970 Porsche 917K – Approx $18.5 Million
The Porche 917K was developed to rival other cars that had dominated the racing industry for years, such as the 4-liter V12 from Ferrari and 7-liter V8 from Ford. The car was built on a spaceframe chassis that was pressurized using inert gas to ensure there are no cracks.
Behind the cockpit lies a powerful type 912 flat 12-engine model that powers the rear wheels. Adjacent to the engine is a gear-driven fan that keeps it cool at high speeds. To ensure it reaches top speed within the shortest time possible, the company opted for light-material materials such as magnesium and titanium.
Before the inception of the turbo-charged 917/30 engine, the original engine produced 520 horsepower. With the new engine, the 917K can comfortably produce up to 1,100 horsepower.
1939 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900 B Touring Berlinetta – $18,999,558
The Alfa Romeo 8C 2900 was sold to a car collector for $18,99,558 on February 8, 2019, at the Artcurial Retromobile auction held in Paris. The 2,905-cc inline 8-cylinder engine produces 180 horsepower and can reach a top speed of 109 mph and 5,100 rpm. It’s fitted with a 4-speed manual gearbox.
The engine also has dual Roots-type superchargers and dual overhead cams. The double wishbone independent front suspension has coil springs strategically installed over the dampers. Other notable features include:
- A semi-elliptical leaf spring.
- Four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes.
- Hydraulic friction dampers.
954 Ferrari 375-Plus Spider Competizione – $18,315,845
954 Ferrari 375-Plus Spider Competizione was on June 27, 2014, at the Bonhams’ Goodwood action for $18,315,845. This car was one of the new larger-engine and high-performance racing cars developed in 1954 to rival Jaguar and Aston Martin cars.
The 375-Plus is fitted with a bigger engine, a 4.9-liter, that produced 330 horsepower. It could reach a top speed of 174 mph at 6,000 rpm. Surprisingly, this vintage car can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in only 4 seconds.
The manufacturer also added De Dion rear suspension and 4.5 Formula One transaxle to enhance handling and balance at high speeds. The brakes were also improved to help the driver maneuver tight corners smoothly.
Final Thoughts
Owning an old Rolls Royce or a collection of classic cars will make you a member of an exclusive club of vintage luxury car enthusiasts who are not afraid to spend millions on rare car models. If you want to get your hands on a vintage car, we recommend checking out reputable car auctions such as Gooding & Company, Bonhams, and Barret-Jackson.
