There comes a time in everyone’s life when we must endeavor to let go of the things that we have held on to. Relics of our past, trophies from our glory days––the things that remind us of times when we were young and free. Some of the most common items that we hold onto for years are our classic cars. It’s a difficult moment in anyone’s life, being faced with the understanding that “now is the time to sell my car.” But it doesn’t have to be too painful. Letting go is hard, and that’s understandable. After all, as a classic car enthusiast, you’ve probably spent years working on your ride, from tune-ups to the installation of all original parts. At this point, it probably feels like that car is a member of your family. That’s why when you make the hard decision to sell it, you need to know its value in order to get the maximum return. However, if your old ride is one of these five models, you might end up getting more money than you expected.
#1 – Ferrari Testarossa (1984-1991)
It is of no surprise to any serious car enthusiast to see Ferrari on the list. For decades this Italian luxury sports car brand has enjoyed a stellar reputation here in the United States. It is easily one of the most recognizable names when it comes to sports cars. The Testarossa is one of the most desirable cars of the 1980s, and it is still highly sought after by collectors today. Because it’s a Ferrari, and because it’s a luxury sports car, the original sticker price was around $100,000 when it was first purchased, depending on the options. In today’s market, the value has not depreciated much, earning the ’80s dream Ferrari an average selling price of around $150,000.
#2 – Aston Martin Vantage (2005-2017)
For many people who hold the term “classic cars” with reverence, it may be a bit shocking to see a car model from the last decade on this list. But make no mistake about it; the prestige of the Aston Martin brand earns it a place on this list. While the argument can be made that a vehicle less than 20 years old cannot be considered classic, the rarity and utter craftsmanship of the Vantage allow it to qualify as a collector’s item. In brand-new form, this beautifully aluminum-frame masterpiece cost around $110,000. The monetary value has since decreased since then, simply in terms of economics and the availability of newer technology-laden models, but the luxury look and feel and “showy” design of this car still make it highly sought after at a comfortable price point of around $60,000.
#3 – Honda S600 (1964-1966)
The Honda S600 is a true collector’s dream. Getting your hands on one of these is no easy task because they were never officially sold in the United States. That meant if you wanted to own one of these automobiles, you had to have it shipped over, which in those times was logistically complicated and very costly. However, the car itself in those days cost as little as $2,000, the equivalent to around $17,500 today. Though the price point was low during those times, that was a reflection of the fact that Honda was much more well known for motorcycles than its cars back then. The lack of popularity and degree of difficulty in acquiring them meant that very few ended up in the United States. Because of that, they have exploded in value and are now worth an estimated average of $35,000. Not a bad return on a $2,000 investment.
#4 – Jaguar XK120 (1948-1954)
Feeling the need for speed? Look no further than the Jaguar XK120. Though this car was lauded for reaching insane speeds for its time (the name comes from its 120 mph top speed), it was also criticized for its stature. Cars during that time period were generally much smaller than ones in existence today, but the Jaguar XK120 takes small to a whole new level. This particular model was smaller than any other being sold in the same time period. This makes sense given its speed, as it would have to minimize its weight as much as possible, but the design left it pretty difficult for any larger-bodied person to fit inside the cockpit. When designing the fastest production car in 1949, it stands to reason that this wasn’t high up on the list of concerns. From a valuation standpoint, if you own one of these sleek sports cars, you’ve basically hit the lottery. Debuting at $3,945 new, the Jaguar XK120 has exploded to a valuation of around $140,000 dollars on average.
#5 – Volkswagen Vanagon Westfalia (1983-1991)
This is a particularly interesting addition to the list as it has risen in popularity as of late. The state of the country has fueled the need for a lifestyle change for many young adults. A nomadic lifestyle has become a romanticized notion with real allure. The ability to live life on your terms out on the open road, exposing yourself to the wonders of all the worlds you’ve never been to see, holds great appeal. For that, the trendy “vanlife” lifestyle has emerged as a heavy favorite. To properly live your best #vanlife, you first need, well, a van. That’s where the Volkswagen Vanagon Westfalia comes in. As one of the most recognizable vans on the marketplace due to its vintage square shape, its allure dating back to the days of free travel, and the recognition of the Volkswagen brand in general, it has again risen to prominence as the ideal model for a vanlife van. At a price point of around $17,000 at its inception, the Vanagon has doubled in value, now fetching a price of around $30,000 or more.
#6 – Ford GT (2005-2006)
The Ford GT is easily one of the most recognized collectors cars in the world. Produced exclusively in 2005 and 2006, the GT was the first-ever modern adaption of the fabled GT40, the legendary Ford race car that won four consecutive 24 Hours of Le Mans races from 1966 through 1969. The GT served as a limited edition run of cars presented to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Ford company. One unique feature about these vehicles is that the left headlight cluster was designed to read “100” in commemoration of the milestone. Because it’s a limited run, that only increases its collector value.
Though based on an iconic Ford supercar, the story behind it was only known to car fanatics until recently, when Hollywood brought the original GT40 to life on the silver screen in the thrilling film Ford v Ferrari. This movie didn’t just educate viewers on the story behind the Ford supercar, but it also called global attention to the brand, which only served to increase interest. Although the Ford GT was never a “bargain buy” by any means at a price point of $145,000 at its launch, the value from that point has only accelerated. In the present market, a 2005-2006 Ford GT can fetch you a pretty penny at an average valuation of $400,000.
