Collector-car shortlist
The best classic cars to invest in: eight research candidates
There is no guaranteed “best investment” classic car. The eight models in this Passion Asset Advisory guide are research candidates, supported by individual auction examples and practical ownership checks. They span classic and modern-classic cars; the results show what particular buyers paid, not what every example is worth or how much it will appreciate.
Last updated .
Source check: 28 September 2026. Editorial standards.
How Passion Asset Advisory selects the eight candidates
This is an editorial shortlist, not a ranking by forecast return. It replaces broad categories with eight identifiable models. Each auction outcome retains its original currency and event date. No currency conversion, model average or private office transaction is implied.
| Model and example | Reported result | Auction evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7 Touring 1973 example; chassis 9113601556 | $896,000 | RM Sotheby’s Monterey 2026 |
| Ferrari Dino 246 GT 1969 L-Series; chassis 00512 | $566,000 | RM Sotheby’s Miami 2026 |
| Ferrari F40 1989 example; chassis 83620 | €4,336,250 | RM Sotheby’s Monaco, 25 April 2026 |
| Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing 1955 example; chassis 5500192 | $1,820,000 | RM Sotheby’s Monterey 2026 |
| Lamborghini Miura P400S 1969 example; chassis 3919 | $1,875,000 | RM Sotheby’s Miami 2026 |
| Lancia Stratos HF Stradale 1975 example; chassis 001932 | €815,000 | Gooding Christie’s Rétromobile Paris 2026 |
| BMW M1 1980 example; chassis 4301211 | $604,500 | RM Sotheby’s Arizona 2026 |
| Porsche Carrera GT 2005 example; chassis ending 000207 | €2,255,000 | RM Sotheby’s Monaco, 25 April 2026 |
Source: Passion Asset Advisory compilation of the linked RM Sotheby’s and Gooding Christie’s lot records. Data as of 28 September 2026; individual sale periods and currencies are retained.
Use the auction house’s stated result and fee basis, not a reconstructed hammer price. These results are not seller net proceeds. An unusual specification, restoration, mileage or ownership history can make a poor comparison with another car.
What ownership checks matter for each model?
1. Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7 Touring
The Touring is a specific RS execution, not a price label for every air-cooled 911. The cited car retained its original-numbered engine and had been restored. Verify identity and specification, and distinguish Touring, Lightweight and later conversions.
2. Ferrari Dino 246 GT
Separate L, M and E series, left- and right-hand drive, and GT from GTS. The cited L-Series car had substantial recent restoration invoices. Study the work and the car itself; money spent on restoration is not a guaranteed resale premium.
3. Ferrari F40
The cited F40 had very low recorded use and documented recommissioning after long storage. That is not an average F40. Check specification, use, repair history and work on the fuel system, belts and other time-sensitive components with a specialist.
4. Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing
A road-going 300 SL is not the record-setting 300 SLR. For the cited Gullwing, the house documents a restoration and matching-numbered major components. Examine the body and frame, factory records, component identity and the quality of any restoration.
5. Lamborghini Miura P400S
Keep P400, P400S and P400SV comparisons separate. The cited P400S had documented restoration and service history. Verify the version, component numbers, body history and mechanical readiness; do not apply an SV result to an S.
6. Lancia Stratos HF Stradale
The cited road car had unusually low recorded use and long original ownership. Distinguish a Stradale from a competition car, reconstruction or replica. Check factory documentation, body identity and changes made during the car’s life.
7. BMW M1
This example had more than four decades of ownership by Roger Waters, so its provenance needs to stay attached to the result. For another M1, verify road or competition specification, identity, body condition, service access and the documents behind any ownership claim.
8. Porsche Carrera GT
This modern classic has a different ownership profile from a 1960s car. Review service and campaign completion, clutch and tyre condition, component history and the cost of the next work. The cited car’s service file is part of the comparison, not an optional extra.
What can make a candidate a poor purchase?
Any model can be bought at too high a price. An incomplete history, material repairs, uncertain identity, overdue work, restricted import eligibility or an unrealistic reserve can make an otherwise desirable car unsuitable. Compare like with like and leave room for uncertainty.
Rarity is not the same as market depth. A small number of examples can mean that reliable comparisons and ready buyers are scarce. A famous-owner car or near-unused example should not set the budget for an ordinary one.
For a useful counterexample to sale-only optimism, RM Sotheby’s lists a 1971 Dino 246 GT at Woodcote Park 2026 as not sold. Its £250,000–£300,000 estimate is not a completed result. Include unsold and withdrawn examples in the research when their condition and terms are known.
How do you turn the shortlist into a budget?
- Choose the exact model and intended use, not just the brand.
- Set an acquisition ceiling that includes fees, tax, transport and immediate work.
- Arrange a marque-specialist inspection and verify title and component identity.
- Quote storage, insurance and maintenance for the actual car.
- Identify possible exit channels and the costs of waiting for a buyer.
The separate guide to classic-car returns and risks covers index limits and a worked ownership-cost example. This page supplies model candidates; it does not claim that these cars will outperform shares, gold, watches or art.
What should a written car brief cover?
The collector-car purchase guide sets out search, records, inspection and negotiation questions for a written brief. Confirm whether any proposed provider can accept the work before relying on support. This research shortlist establishes neither inventory nor availability, appreciation or a future buyer.
If you already own a candidate, read the collector-car sale route guide with its records to hand. Confirm the adviser’s availability, represented side, fee and any inspection, insurance or transport expenses in writing. Watch-specific terms do not apply. If an enquiry is accepted, photographs can follow the initial text enquiry by private email.
FAQ
Classic-car shortlist questions
What is the best classic car to invest in?
Passion Asset Advisory presents research candidates, not a predicted winner. There is no single best car for every collector. These eight models are research candidates chosen to illustrate different histories and ownership demands. The price, condition and documentation of the specific car determine whether it fits your budget and purpose.
Are the prices in the table current market values?
No. Each figure is a reported result for the named auction car in 2026, in its original sale currency. It is not a model average, a current asking price or an offer for another example. Read the linked lot record before using it as a comparable.
Do the eight models have guaranteed appreciation?
No. A completed sale documents a buyer and a price at that time; it does not prove an appreciation rate or a future profit. Ownership and transaction costs can outweigh price gains, even for a desirable model.
Why does the list include modern classics?
Collector demand is not limited to a single age threshold. The Carrera GT and F40 illustrate later generations of collector cars. Their inclusion is editorial, not a statement about tax, registration or historic-vehicle eligibility in any country.
Is a Porsche easier to sell than a Ferrari or Lamborghini?
Not automatically. Liquidity depends on the exact version, price, condition, location and available buyers. Do not assume a brand name or production number guarantees a quick sale. Test the likely buyer pool and exit route before purchase.
Do matching numbers prove a car is genuine?
Not by themselves. Compare component identities with factory records, physical inspection, restoration evidence and the ownership file. Stamps, certificates and advertised descriptions require context; a document does not remove the need to inspect the car.
Should I avoid cheaper or modified classic cars?
Not as a general rule. An affordable or modified car may be a good fit for driving and enjoyment. It should be priced against the correct peer group, with the work documented. This shortlist is not a minimum budget for worthwhile collecting.
How much should I reserve for ownership?
Get model-specific quotes for inspection, service, insurance, storage and known work, then add a contingency appropriate to the findings. This page does not prescribe a universal annual percentage. Keep enough liquid funds to maintain the car without a forced sale.