10 Cars Worth More Used than New

More and more of the money-savvy among us, are opting to invest in sought-after, highly collectible vintage and classic cars. And if you can afford to park a beautiful investment in your garage, why not? According to Jack Rosewitz, deputy chairman and collectable car specialist with Stephan Welz & Co, serious car collecting has never been more popular worldwide, and is now seen as an alternative investment. And at least it’s something you can enjoy, until the grim reaper comes a-knocking at your door. We’ve compiled a list of classics that have gone up so drastically in price, you wish your beloved uncle never sold his car collection when times were hard.

1. Ferrari 250 GTO (1962 – 1964)
A 1963 Ferrari 250 GTO racer has become the world’s most expensive used car, selling for $52 000 000 (R 650 000 000) in a private transaction, to an unidentified buyer. With an increase of 49 percent more than the previous most expensive GTO, we’re sure the sale made the owner, Paul Pappalardo, very happy as well as wealthy. Pappalardo acquired the car in 1974 and drove it in a multitude of historic races, such as the 2002 Le Mans Classic. If you have the dosh to invest in a car, any post-war Ferrari will do.

2. Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa (1956 - 1961)
With only 34 ever produced, the Testa Rossa 250, with its red valve covers on the engine, recently fetched a healthy $16 400 000 (R 205 000 000) on auction in the US. Known as “the redhead” in the popular 80’s TV series Miami Vice, the white 1980’s Testarossa is probably more well-known. But the ’57 Testa Rossa was very special for a car of that time, featuring a 3.0 litre, V12 engine and a body to die for. After the 250 GTO, the 250 Testa Rossa is the second most valuable Ferrari model. Incidentally, the Miami Vice Testarossa is currently up for sale, for a cool $1 750 000 (R 22 000 000).

3. Bugatti Type 41
Designed by kooky and unconventional designer, Ettore Bugatti, the Type 41, better known as the Royale, was indeed intended for royalty. However, no Royale ever made it into a royal drive way. It had monstrous dimensions: A 4.3 m wheelbase and an overall length of 6.4 meters. It weighed in at 3175 kilos and was fitted with a massive 12.7 litre straight-eight engine. Only six were produced, and with a $30 000 price tag at the beginning of the Great Depression, only three were sold. Ettore Bugatti refused to sell one to King Zog of Albania, because of his atrocious table manners. In 1987, one was sold for $ 10 000 000 (R 125 000 000).

4. Shelby Daytona Cobra Coupé (1964 – 1965)
Built to give Ferrari a run for its money, the Shelby Daytona Cobra Coupé was the only American car to beat a Ferrari in World Championship racing in Europe. Shelby and Ferrari were racing arch-rivals in the sixties, and Shelby wanted to show the Italians who’s the GT-class boss, hence the Coupé version of the Cobra was built. Under its hood was a Ford 289 cubic-inch V8 engine. In 2009, the fourth of the six coupés were sold at public auction, fetching a hearty $ 7 250 000 (R 91 000 000).

5. Lamborghini Countach LP 400S Series 1(1978 – 1979)
Any Lamborghini Countach is a good investment, but if you can lay your hands on the LP 400S Series 1, you can count on some serious future growth. As only 50 were ever built, these more aggressively styled Lambos with their “telephone dial” Campagnolo Bravo wheels are very much in demand. So much so, that selling one in mint condition, will make you about $750 000   (R 9 400 000) richer.

6. Mercedes-Benz 540K (1935 – 1940)
It was one of the largest cars of its time, featuring a straight-eight cylinder engine with a supercharger, which increased output from 86 to 130 kW. Designed by Friedrich Geiger, this stately Mercedes-Benz was a hit amongst movie stars and celebs.
When Stephan Welz & Co sold a 1937 model for R 7 000 000 in 2007, it was the highest price paid for a car on auction in SA. But where is it now? It’s leading a charmed existence in the Franschoek Motor Museum, with a replacement value of roughly  R 16 000 000.

7. Mercedes-Benz 190SL (1955 – 1963)
As driven by Alfred Hitchcock, Miles David, Grace Kelly and Ringo Star, the 190SL was one of the cars of choice for the rich and famous. As one of the world’s most collectible cars, this luxury two-door roadster is going up in price as we speak. Available with a soft or removable hard-top, one also had the option of a small transverse seat for a third passenger. One recently went up for auction in Cape Town. It is valued at around R 1 400 000 to R 2 000 0000.

8. Bentley Turbo RT (1997 – 1998)
If you’re an avid car-collector, the rare Bentley Turbo RT (1998) recently up for auction in Johannesburg, should pique your interest. Only 252 of these Turbo RT’s were built during a two-year production run. The ultra-luxurious Bentley Turbo RT came with a 298 kW, twin-turbo, 6.75 litre, V8 engine. It has an estimated value of R 850 000 – R 1 800 000. (A new, limited production 2015 Bentley GT3-R will already set you back about    R 7 000 000 – read our first drive impression here.)
 

9. A Jaguar E-type Series 2 Coupé (1968 – 1971)
With its original 4.2 litre double overhead camshaft, 6-cylinder engine, 4-speed manual gearbox and chrome wire wheels, the E-type is so devastatingly beautiful, one is even on permanent display in the New York Museum of Art. Over Series 1, Series 2 gained a wrap-around rear bumper with taillights underneath, and a collapsible steering column in the event of an accident. It’s known as one of the most reliable of the E-type Jags and with a top speed of 241 km/hour, it’s frighteningly fast as well: It will accelerate from 0 – 100 in about 7 seconds. Not bad for the sixties. (R 1 000 000 – R 1 200 000.)


10. MG TF (1953 to 1955)
The MG TF is the most sought-after model of the T-type MG’s, and if it’s in a rare colour, with its original 1250cc or 1466cc engine, it’s sure to appreciate even more as the years go by. The MG TF was a 2-door roadster featuring an interesting interior with octagonal instrument bezels. It can fetch from anything between  R 400 000 and R 900 000. Any classic car with a short production run is deemed highly collectible.

Credits

• Mercedes-Benz 190SL - Picture by Lothar Spurzem
• Mercedes-Benz 540 - Picture by Rudolf Sticker

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