🚗 Mid-Month Update: Italian Supercars, an Incredible Barn Find, and Underperforming Mercedes

Read time: 2 minutes

Hello again to our community of classic car lovers and investment-minded individuals!

Our mid-month update is an added pit stop between our in-depth monthly excursions into the fascinating world of classic car investments.

In this compact newsletter we’ll be speeding through some quick market stats, some automotive news, and a few teasers that couldn’t wait until month’s end.

Here’s what we’ve got coming up:

🔍 Focus: Three Italian supercars rising in value

📣 Classic Car News: An update from the industry

📖 Snapshot: The underperforming Mercedes models

Let’s go!

📈 Three Italian Supercars Rising in Value

1. Ferrari 575M: A Rising Star with Rarity on Its Side

The Ferrari 575M Maranello, an evolution of the 550 Maranello, has been steadily catching the eye of discerning investors.

This Grand Tourer, known for its Pininfarina-designed sleekness and 5.7L V12 engine, is making noticeable strides in the market. Here’s the breakdown:

Financial Overview: The average sale price for a 575M over the last 12 months is an impressive $239,000 – a robust 23.4% jump from the previous year’s $193,500 average. While the 5-year increase is more gradual at 3.4%, it’s this year’s growth that has particularly piqued investors’ attention.

Manual 575M Superamericas: The Ferrari 575M comes in a particularly rare variant that has been turbocharging its price tag: the Superamerica. A handful of these have hit the market this year, and with only 43 manual versions ever produced, these elusive cars are igniting bidding wars that have seen prices soar to over $800,000. The cherry on top? One manual 575M Superamerica fetched a whopping $978,000 in August!

So, what’s driving this uptick? While the Superamericas have certainly had their impact on the average sale price, the standard 575M has also seen increased interest from collectors and investors alike.

This could be attributed to a range of factors – from a greater appreciation for its Pininfarina design and V12 engine to its evolving status as a modern classic that offers a blend of performance and luxury.

As younger collectors enter the market, there’s also a renewed interest in models from the late ’90s and early 2000s, which includes the 575M.

2. Lamborghini Miura: The Legend Continues to Soar

If the Ferrari 575M is a rising star, the Lamborghini Miura is a constellation in its own right. Long hailed as one of the most iconic and groundbreaking supercars in automotive history, the Miura continues to deliver astonishing returns to savvy investors. Let’s take a closer look:

Financial Overview: The average 12-month sale price for the Miura now exceeds a staggering $2 million – a robust 18% increase compared to the same time last year. With a 5-year increase sitting at a healthy 4.6%, the Miura not only remains a prized collector’s item but also a worthwhile long-term investment.

P400 and P400 SV Models: These variants are the real game-changers in the Miura lineup. In August, a P400 model stole the spotlight with a sale price of $2.26 million at the Gooding & Company Pebble Beach auction. Not to be outdone, a P400 SV fetched an eye-watering $3.58 million at the same event.

So, what’s fueling this consistent ascendance in value? The Miura’s legendary status, pioneering engineering, and stunning design by Marcello Gandini are long-established value drivers.

The recent record-breaking sales of P400 and P400 SV models underline the model’s enduring appeal and provenance, which continue to resonate strongly with today’s collectors and investors.

When it comes to classic cars that combine beauty, performance, and investment potential, few can hold a candle to the Lamborghini Miura.

3. Lamborghini Diablo VT: Breaking Boundaries, One Auction at a Time

If we’re talking about Italian supercars with immense investment potential, it’s impossible to overlook the Lamborghini Diablo VT. Known for its scorching performance and audacious style, the Diablo VT has been quietly climbing the investment ladder for the past few years.

And recent activity suggests it’s ready for a full-throttle ascent. Here’s what you need to know:

Financial Overview: The current 12-month average sale price sits just under $400,000, at $385,000, but if last month’s auction results are any indication, this car’s average valuation is going to be well over $400k soon. Over the past year, Diablo VT values have increased by 7.7%, with a 5-year increase of 5%.

VT Roadster Auctions: August was a banner month for the Diablo VT, particularly the Roadster variant. Several units fetched well over $400,000 at auction, serving as a loud-and-clear signal of the model’s growing appeal.

So, what’s behind this valuation rise? The Diablo VT has always been a car that captures attention. The recent surge in auction prices, particularly for the Roadster versions, suggests that the market is finally catching up to its desirability.

Collectors are not just looking for icons like the Miura but also for the next big thing – and right now, the Diablo VT is fitting that bill quite nicely.

📣 Mysterious Abandoned Museum Houses Over 200 Classic Cars

YouTube channel Classic Car Rescue recently came across an abandoned car museum sheltering over 200 classic cars, including gems like the Ford Mustang Shelby GT500KR and vintage Rolls-Royces.

While the video keeps the location and the backstory a secret, it showcases an impressive variety of vehicles, all of which are surprisingly well-preserved, thanks to being shielded from the elements.

From muscle cars like the Chevrolet Camaro Z28 to luxury icons like classic Rolls-Royces, the extensive collection is both captivating and melancholic.

Whether the result of a failed museum venture or an overwhelming private collection, these cars await a much-needed rescue and potential future restoration.

It’s one of the most impressive barn finds we’ve ever seen! Watch the full video here.

📖 Snapshot: The Underperforming Mercedes-Benz Models

Mercedes-Benz S-Class W116 (1973-1980)

📉 1 year: -12.0% 5 year: -6.5% 

Despite its historical significance, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class W116 has struggled in the investment arena recently. Its value has declined by 12% over the last 12 months when compared to the previous period, and has a experienced a 5-year dip of 6.5%

Mercedes-Benz 500SL R107 (1980-1989)

📉 1 year: -3.6% 5 year: -0.5% 

While iconic and luxurious, the 500SL R107 has seen a slight downturn in investment value, decreasing by 3.6% over the last year and experiencing a marginal 5-year decline of 0.5%

Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG – W210 (1998 to 2002)

📉 1 year: -5.1% 5 year: -0.4% 

Once a darling for performance enthusiasts, the Mercedes E55 AMG W210 has faced a softening market. Its average value has declined by 5.1% in the last year and shows a slight 5-year drop of 0.4%

Mercedes-Benz SL55 AMG – R230 (2003 to 2008)

📉 1 year: -1.5% 5 year: -0.4% 

While still a symbol of post-Millennium performance and luxury, the SL55 AMG R230 has experienced a modest decline, dropping 1.5% over the past year and showing a 5-year decrease of 0.4%

Mercedes-Benz G Wagon – 300GE/G300 – W463 (1990 to 1994)

📉 1 year: -10.9% 5 year: -0.1% 

Despite its rugged allure and status, the Mercedes G Wagon 300GE/G300 has seen a substantial value drop of 10.9% in the past year, along with a nearly flat 5-year performance at a decline of 0.1%

🙏 Thanks For Reading!

Thanks for reading! Look out for our full monthly update next week, where we’ll bring you five of the best and five of the worst performers from this month’s data.

We’ll also be showing you how to access our extensive database, which features all the data we use to analyse classic car sales prices and monthly appreciation trends.

Additionally, we’ll spotlight this month’s ‘Bold Bet’ and share a selection of other classic car articles.

In the meantime, don’t forget to visit thecarinvestor.com for featured articles and valuable insights into the classic car investment market.

Thanks for reading.

Until next time!

Adam

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