Formula 5000 was a racing series for open-wheel, single-seat racing cars built to a specific set of rules. The engine of choice was the venerable small block Chevrolet V8 of five-liter displacement. It started as a bright idea in 1967 and ran successfully until politics among the governing body, race organizers and team owners did it in at the end of the 1976 season.

Although there were four competitive Formula 5000 championships: the Rothmans series in Europe, the Tasman series in Australia and New Zealand, and the Tarmac series in Britain, the heart and soul of Formula 5000 was the North American series. In the early 1970s it was known as the L&M Championship after title sponsor L&M Tobacco. In 1974, the SCCA and rival governing body USAC merged to run Formula 5000. A variety of chassis manufacturers took part, but the car that dominated the later years of the series was the Lola T332.

The post Formula 5000 appeared first on Sports Car Digest.

The under 2-liter Grand Touring (GT) cars have always had a place to compete within the ever-changing regulations of international motorsports; the World Sports Car Championship from 1953-1961, the Speedworld Challenge from 1962-1963, the International Championship of Makes from 1964-1971 and the World Championship of Makes from 1972-1981. This included racing in the great endurance races such as the 24 Hours of  Le Mans, the 1000 Kilometers of the Nürburgring, Spa and Monza, and the Targa Florio. Not to mention national races throughout Europe and SCCA races throughout the U.S. Alfa Romeo, Lotus, Porsche and Triumph all designed very lightweight successful competition cars. Abarth, an Italian specialty tuner, modified small-bore GT cars from Fiat and Simca, all with great success. These under-2-liter GT cars filled up the racing grids on both sides of the Atlantic and provided some exciting automobile racing.

Today under-2-liter GT cars qualify to race in many great historic events worldwide from the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion to the Tour (de France) Auto because they are dual-purpose race and street cars. Due to their technology, great designs, eligibility and low production numbers, legitimate GT competition cars have steadily been increasing in value.

The post Under 2-Liter GT appeared first on Sports Car Digest.

Two-liter sports racing cars have always had a place to compete within the ever-changing regulations of international motorsports; the World Sports Car Championship from 1953-1961, the Speedworld Challenge from 1962-1963, the International Championship of Makes from 1964-1971 and the World Championship of Makes from 1972-1981. There was even a European Championships of Makes for cars up to two liters from 1970-1975. This allowed manufacturers to showcase their design and engineering excellence by producing a limited number of purpose-built racing cars to compete at the world’s greatest racing venues. There was great racing in the under-2.0-liter class. On the right circuit, these nimble cars could often get the best of their larger competitors. A World Champion-ship of Makes with race circuits such as Silverstone, Nürburgring, Le Mans, Monza, Daytona and Sebring resulted in an era of motorsports that may never happen again. Today, these historic cars are highly sought after by collectors, not just for the admiration of their technology, but to also participate in reenactments of these famous racing events.

The post Under 2-Liter Sports Racers appeared first on Sports Car Digest.

From 1964 to 1978, a series of flat-bottomed formula cars were manufactured to serve as steppingstones to Formula One and the upper echelons of open-wheel racing. In the late ’50s, F2 and F3 were consolidated into Formula Junior. However, with that category’s demise at the end of 1963, F2 was reformed, utilizing highly developed 1,000-cc, fuel-injected engines until 1966. From 1967 to 1971, racecars manufactured for F2 were equipped with a more powerful gear-driven Cosworth FVA engine, while in the United States many of the same chassis were being outfitted with Lotus twin-cam engines for what was known as Formula B. By 1972, F2 graduated to two-liter displacement, with engines being manufactured by firms such as Cosworth, Hart and BMW. During this same period, Formula Atlantic replaced FB, both in the United States and overseas, with similar chassis to the F2 cars, but running the 1,600-cc Cosworth BDA or BDD engine.

Though various models were sold in both F2 and Atlantic form, the F2 cars today command a much higher value due to their more sophisticated and expensive engines. The value of these F2 variants is also bolstered by the fact that they were usually driven by some of the greatest, current or up-and-coming F1 drivers of the day, names such as Jackie Stewart, Jochen Rindt, Niki Lauda, Emerson Fittipaldi and the like.

The post F2/FB/Formula Atlantic appeared first on Sports Car Digest.

The Canadian American Challenge Cup was co-sanctioned by the SCCA and the CASC; it was a series nicknamed the “unlimited” series. Although there was a basic set of rules, the cars had to be twoseaters with bodywork covering the wheels, have doors, a windscreen, brake lights and various safety requirements, there was no regulation on the dimensions, minimum weight, materials used or the size of the tires. This was all open to the creativity of the designer.

The nickname “unlimited” came from the regulations allowing engines of unlimited displacement and number of cylinders, i.e. horsepower. Essentially this was the open sports racing car series and it became a hotbed of new technology and racing car design.

The post Can-Am Race Car Market & Values (2020) appeared first on Sports Car Digest.

From the very beginning of the automobile, men with a passion for speed and technology built cars to compete. These innovators are in an elite club with their place in automotive history guaranteed as the creators of a true classic sports car, a genuine thoroughbred.

The development of the racing sports car can be traced to specific manufacturers who at one time in history dominated motor racing, in particular the world’s most challenging road races, such as the Mille Miglia, Targa Florio and endurance contests like the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

The post Pre-war, Part 2 appeared first on Sports Car Digest.

From the very beginning of the automobile, man built cars to compete with a passion for speed and technology. These early innovators are in an elite club with their place in automotive history guaranteed as the creators of a true classic sports car, a genuine thoroughbred.

The development of the racing sports car can be traced to specific manufacturers, who at one time in history dominated motor racing, in particular, the world’s most challenging road races, such as the Mille Miglia, Targa Florio and endurance contests such as the Le Mans 24 Hours.

The post Pre-War, Part 1 appeared first on Sports Car Digest.

Formula 5000 was a racing series for open-wheel, single-seat racing cars built to a specific set of rules. The engine of choice was the venerable small block Chevrolet V8 of five-liter displacement. It started as a bright idea in 1967 and ran successfully until politics among the governing body, race organizers and team owners did it in at the end of the 1976 season.

Although there were four competitive Formula 5000 championships: the Rothmans series in Europe, the Tasman series in Australia and New Zealand, and the Tarmac series in Britain, the heart and soul of Formula 5000 was the North American series. In the early 1970s it was known as the L&M Championship after title sponsor L&M Tobacco. In 1974, the SCCA and rival governing body USAC merged to run Formula 5000. A variety of chassis manufacturers took part, but the car that dominated the later years of the series was the Lola T332.

The post Formula 5000 appeared first on Sports Car Digest.

The under 2-liter Grand Touring (GT) cars have always had a place to compete within the ever-changing regulations of international motorsports; the World Sports Car Championship from 1953-1961, the Speedworld Challenge from 1962-1963, the International Championship of Makes from 1964-1971 and the World Championship of Makes from 1972-1981. This included racing in the great endurance races such as the 24 Hours of  Le Mans, the 1000 Kilometers of the Nürburgring, Spa and Monza, and the Targa Florio. Not to mention national races throughout Europe and SCCA races throughout the U.S. Alfa Romeo, Lotus, Porsche and Triumph all designed very lightweight successful competition cars. Abarth, an Italian specialty tuner, modified small-bore GT cars from Fiat and Simca, all with great success. These under-2-liter GT cars filled up the racing grids on both sides of the Atlantic and provided some exciting automobile racing.

Today under-2-liter GT cars qualify to race in many great historic events worldwide from the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion to the Tour (de France) Auto because they are dual-purpose race and street cars. Due to their technology, great designs, eligibility and low production numbers, legitimate GT competition cars have steadily been increasing in value.

The post Under 2-Liter GT appeared first on Sports Car Digest.

Formula Ford was a specification racing series created on the idea that the best drivers would win if they were racing identical cars. The idea for this low-budget formula was created by an Englishman named Geoffrey Clarke, who had a driver’s school called Motor Racing Stables based at the Brands Hatch circuit. Clarke received support from Ford’s competition manager, Henry Taylor, and Ford’s director of public affairs, Walter Hayes. Ford supplied its 1600-cc Cortina GT engine, as well as its backing and name. Lotus Components built a car based on the Lotus 31 Formula Three car calling it the Lotus 51 Formula Ford. Ironically, this early car had a Renault gearbox. They sold for the affordable price of just under £1,000, making racing in this series very affordable, since a Formula Three car of the day cost more than £3,000. The Royal Automobile Club, Britain’s governing body, established a set of racing regulations. The first official race was held at Brands Hatch on July 2, 1967. From 1967 to the present, the Formula Ford category has produced some very exciting racing in many different makes of racing cars, as well as some great drivers and future champions, including Andretti, Fittipaldi, Schenken, Scheckter and Senna. Today, Historic Formula Ford is an entry-level racing category and for the purposes of this guide, covers cars from 1967 to 1972. Keep in mind the greatest single factor in determining the value of a Formula Ford is the quality and cost of its preparation.

The post Formula Ford appeared first on Sports Car Digest.

Over two-liter Grand Touring cars have always had a place to compete within the ever-changing regulations of international motorsports; the World Sports Car Championship from 1953-1961, the Speedworld Challenge from 1962-1963, and the International Championship of Makes from 1972-1981. This included racing in the great endurance races such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the 1000 Kilometers of Nürburgring, Spa and Monza, and the Targa Florio. Aston Martin, Ferrari, Jaguar, Porsche and Ford (by backing Carroll Shelby with the Cobra), all designed very lightweight, successful competition cars to compete in the GT category.  In the USA these cars raced in the SCCA and the USRRC.

Today, GT cars qualify to race in many great historic events such as the Tour (de France) Auto, Tour of Spain and Targa Florio because they are dual-purpose race and street cars. They also qualify for the Le Mans 24 Hour Classic and, in the USA, the Monterey Motorsport Reunion and all other race events and tours.  Due to their technology, great designs, event eligibility and low production numbers, GT cars have steadily been increasing in value.

The post Over 2-Liter GT Market Guide appeared first on Sports Car Digest.

Two-liter sports racing cars have always had a place to compete within the ever-changing regulations of international motorsports; the World Sports Car Championship from 1953-1961, the Speedworld Challenge from 1962-1963, the International Championship of Makes from 1964-1971 and the World Championship of Makes from 1972-1981. There was even a European Championships of Makes for cars up to two liters from 1970-1975. This allowed manufacturers to showcase their design and engineering excellence by producing a limited number of purpose-built racing cars to compete at the world’s greatest racing venues. There was great racing in the under-2.0-liter class. On the right circuit, these nimble cars could often get the best of their larger competitors. A World Champion-ship of Makes with race circuits such as Silverstone, Nürburgring, Le Mans, Monza, Daytona and Sebring resulted in an era of motorsports that may never happen again. Today, these historic cars are highly sought after by collectors, not just for the admiration of their technology, but to also participate in reenactments of these famous racing events.

The post 2-Liter Sports Racers appeared first on Sports Car Digest.

After some 50 years of automobile racing, the Grand Prix Formula, or Formula One, was created by the FIA (Federation Internationale de L’Automobile) in 1950, with its first race the British Grand Prix at Silverstone. This was to be the first World Drivers Championship, in the world’s most technically advanced single-seater racing cars. In 1958 the World Constructors Championship was added so that all would at last know who the best driver in the world was as well as which manufacturer had constructed the best car. This guide will cover the period of 1966-1983 for cars built to a 500 kilograms to 585 kilograms weight minimum, and powered by 3.0-liter normally aspirated engines.

Formula One started from very humble beginnings.,with teams comprised of groups of talented people working out of small garages, trying to find the money to go racing. During this time the miracle of the racing sponsor was created, and teams grew in size. Great inventions were designed, such as the Cosworth DFV engine, the slick racing tire, aerodynamic aids ranging from simple wings to full ground-effects. This was when the English racing car industry’s constructors relied heavily on Cosworth engines and Hewland gearboxes. World Champion drivers included Andretti, Brabham, Fittipaldi, Hill, Hulme, Hunt, Jones, Lauda, Piquet, Rindt, Rosberg, Scheckter and Stewart.

The post Formula One, 3-Liter appeared first on Sports Car Digest.

From 1964 to 1978, a series of flat-bottomed formula cars were manufactured to serve as steppingstones to Formula One and the upper echelons of open-wheel racing. In the late ’50s, F2 and F3 were consolidated into Formula Junior. However, with that category’s demise at the end of 1963, F2 was reformed, utilizing highly developed 1,000-cc, fuel-injected engines until 1966. From 1967 to 1971, racecars manufactured for F2 were equipped with a more powerful gear-driven Cosworth FVA engine, while in the United States many of the same chassis were being outfitted with Lotus twin-cam engines for what was known as Formula B. By 1972, F2 graduated to two-liter displacement, with engines being manufactured by firms such as Cosworth, Hart and BMW. During this same period, Formula Atlantic replaced FB, both in the United States and overseas, with similar chassis to the F2 cars, but running the 1,600-cc Cosworth BDA or BDD engine.

Though various models were sold in both F2 and Atlantic form, the F2 cars today command a much higher value due to their more sophisticated and expensive engines. The value of these F2 variants is also bolstered by the fact that they were usually driven by some of the greatest, current or up-and-coming F1 drivers of the day, names such as Jackie Stewart, Jochen Rindt, Niki Lauda, Emerson Fittipaldi and the like.

The post F2/FB/Formula Atlantic appeared first on Sports Car Digest.

The FIA sports prototypes were some of the most exciting purpose-built racing cars ever designed. They competed under the regulations set forth by the FIA (Federation International Automobile) in the International Championship of Makes from 1964-1971, and the World Championship of Makes from 1972-1981. The regulations changed somewhat as the years passed, 5.0-liter engines then 3.0-liter engines, etc., but the concept remained the same: To allow manufacturers to design the most fascinating, technically advanced sports racing cars the world had seen; Then have them compete in a World Championship that included racing in the great endurance races such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the 1,000 Kilometers of the Nürburgring, Spa and Monza, as well as the Targa Florio. Alfa Romeo, Alpine Renault, Ferrari, Ford, Lola, Matra and Porsche all designed very lightweight, successful sports prototypes to compete in the World Championship.  From this came the Alfa Romeo, Tipo 33/12, Ferrari 512 M, Ford GT40, Matra 670 and Porsche 917. They were driven by the world’s best drivers at a time when Formula One drivers still enjoyed driving in sports car races. Today FIA sports prototypes qualify to race in many great historic events such as the Le Mans 24 Hour Classic, the Classic Endurance Series and the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion. Due to their technology, great designs, eligibility and low production number, FIA sports prototypes have steadily been increasing in value.

The post FIA Sports Prototypes appeared first on Sports Car Digest.

The Canadian American Challenge Cup was co-sanctioned by the SCCA and the CASC; it was a series nicknamed the “unlimited” series. Although there was a basic set of rules, the cars had to be twoseaters with bodywork covering the wheels, have doors, a windscreen, brake lights and various safety requirements, there was no regulation on the dimensions, minimum weight, materials used or the size of the tires. This was all open to the creativity of the designer.

The nickname “unlimited” came from the regulations allowing engines of unlimited displacement and number of cylinders, i.e. horsepower. Essentially this was the open sports racing car series and it became a hotbed of new technology and racing car design.

The post Can-Am Race Car Market & Values (2019) appeared first on Sports Car Digest.

From the very beginning of the automobile, men with a passion for speed and technology built cars to compete. These innovators are in an elite club with their place in automotive history guaranteed as the creators of a true classic sports car, a genuine thoroughbred.

The development of the racing sports car can be traced to specific manufacturers who at one time in history dominated motor racing, in particular the world’s most challenging road races, such as the Mille Miglia, Targa Florio and endurance contests like the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

The post Pre-War, Part 2 appeared first on Sports Car Digest.

From the very beginning of the automobile, man built cars to compete with a passion for speed and technology. These early innovators are in an elite club with their place in automotive history guaranteed as the creators of a true classic sports car, a genuine thoroughbred.

The development of the racing sports car can be traced to specific manufacturers, who at one time in history dominated motor racing, in particular, the world’s most challenging road races, such as the Mille Miglia, Targa Florio and endurance contests such as the Le Mans 24 Hours.

The post Pre-War, Part 1 appeared first on Sports Car Digest.

Formula 5000 was a racing series for open-wheel, single-seat racing cars built to a specific set of rules. The engine of choice was the venerable small block Chevrolet V8 of five-liter displacement. It started as a bright idea in 1967 and ran successfully until politics among the governing body, race organizers and team owners did it in at the end of the 1976 season.

Although there were four competitive Formula 5000 championships: the Rothmans series in Europe, the Tasman series in Australia and New Zealand, and the Tarmac series in Britain, the heart and soul of Formula 5000 was the North American series. In the early 1970s it was known as the L&M Championship after title sponsor L&M Tobacco. In 1974, the SCCA and rival governing body USAC merged to run Formula 5000. A variety of chassis manufacturers took part, but the car that dominated the later years of the series was the Lola T332.

The post Formula 5000 appeared first on Sports Car Digest.

The under 2-liter Grand Touring (GT) cars have always had a place to compete within the ever-changing regulations of international motorsports; the World Sports Car Championship from 1953-1961, the Speedworld Challenge from 1962-1963, the International Championship of Makes from 1964-1971 and the World Championship of Makes from 1972-1981. This included racing in the great endurance races such as the 24 Hours of  Le Mans, the 1000 Kilometers of the Nürburgring, Spa and Monza, and the Targa Florio. Not to mention national races throughout Europe and SCCA races throughout the U.S. Alfa Romeo, Lotus, Porsche and Triumph all designed very lightweight successful competition cars. Abarth, an Italian specialty tuner, modified small-bore GT cars from Fiat and Simca, all with great success. These under-2-liter GT cars filled up the racing grids on both sides of the Atlantic and provided some exciting automobile racing.

Today under-2-liter GT cars qualify to race in many great historic events worldwide from the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion to the Tour (de France) Auto because they are dual-purpose race and street cars. Due to their technology, great designs, eligibility and low production numbers, legitimate GT competition cars have steadily been increasing in value.

The post Under 2-Liter GT appeared first on Sports Car Digest.

Formula Ford was a specification racing series created on the idea that the best drivers would win if they were racing identical cars. The idea for this low-budget formula was created by an Englishman named Geoffrey Clarke, who had a driver’s school called Motor Racing Stables based at the Brands Hatch circuit. Clarke received support from Ford’s competition manager, Henry Taylor, and Ford’s director of public affairs, Walter Hayes. Ford supplied its 1600-cc Cortina GT engine, as well as its backing and name. Lotus Components built a car based on the Lotus 31 Formula Three car calling it the Lotus 51 Formula Ford. Ironically, this early car had a Renault gearbox. They sold for the affordable price of just under £1,000, making racing in this series very affordable, since a Formula Three car of the day cost more than £3,000. The Royal Automobile Club, Britain’s governing body, established a set of racing regulations. The first official race was held at Brands Hatch on July 2, 1967. From 1967 to the present, the Formula Ford category has produced some very exciting racing in many different makes of racing cars, as well as some great drivers and future champions, including Andretti, Fittipaldi, Schenken, Scheckter and Senna. Today, Historic Formula Ford is an entry-level racing category and for the purposes of this guide, covers cars from 1967 to 1972. Keep in mind the greatest single factor in determining the value of a Formula Ford is the quality and cost of its preparation.

The post Formula Ford appeared first on Sports Car Digest.

Over two-liter Grand Touring cars have always had a place to compete within the ever-changing regulations of international motorsports; the World Sports Car Championship from 1953-1961, the Speedworld Challenge from 1962-1963, and the International Championship of Makes from 1972-1981. This included racing in the great endurance races such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the 1000 Kilometers of Nürburgring, Spa and Monza, and the Targa Florio. Aston Martin, Ferrari, Jaguar, Porsche and Ford (by backing Carroll Shelby with the Cobra), all designed very lightweight, successful competition cars to compete in the GT category.  In the USA these cars raced in the SCCA and the USRRC.

Today, GT cars qualify to race in many great historic events such as the Tour (de France) Auto, Tour of Spain and Targa Florio because they are dual-purpose race and street cars. They also qualify for the Le Mans 24 Hour Classic and, in the USA, the Monterey Historics and all other race events and tours.  Due to their technology, great designs, event eligibility and low production numbers, GT cars have steadily been increasing in value.

The post Over 2-Liter GT Market Guide appeared first on Sports Car Digest.

The Formula Junior category was introduced in Italy in 1958 by Count Giovanni Lurani, and in 1959 it became an International Formula. Shortly thereafter, in 1960, the British began to take a serious interest in the category, beginning the rivalry between British and Italian cars.

The original FIA Formula Junior regulations defined the cars as single-seater racing cars with the mechanical components coming from a touring car of which a minimum of 1,000 units had been produced in 12 months time. The chassis was built within certain dimensions and to a weight minimum. The engine, gearbox, brakes, etc., had to be as derived from a production touring car. Therefore, the great variety of choices on different cars, such as engines from BMC, Fiat and Ford, and gearboxes from Citroen, Renault and VW.

The post Formula Junior appeared first on Sports Car Digest.

Two-liter sports racing cars have always had a place to compete within the ever-changing regulations of international motorsports; the World Sports Car Championship from 1953-1961, the Speedworld Challenge from 1962-1963, the International Championship of Makes from 1964-1971 and the World Championship of Makes from 1972-1981. There was even a European Championships of Makes for cars up to two liters from 1970-1975. This allowed manufacturers to showcase their design and engineering excellence by producing a limited number of purpose-built racing cars to compete at the world’s greatest racing venues. There was great racing in the under-2.0-liter class. On the right circuit, these nimble cars could often get the best of their larger competitors. A World Champion-ship of Makes with race circuits such as Silverstone, Nürburgring, Le Mans, Monza, Daytona and Sebring resulted in an era of motorsports that may never happen again. Today, these historic cars are highly sought after by collectors, not just for the admiration of their technology, but to also participate in reenactments of these famous racing events.

The post 2-Liter Sports Racers appeared first on Sports Car Digest.

From 1964 to 1978, a series of flat-bottomed formula cars were manufactured to serve as steppingstones to Formula One and the upper echelons of open-wheel racing. In the late ’50s, F2 and F3 were consolidated into Formula Junior. However, with that category’s demise at the end of 1963, F2 was reformed, utilizing highly developed 1,000-cc, fuel-injected engines until 1966. From 1967 to 1971, racecars manufactured for F2 were equipped with a more powerful gear-driven Cosworth FVA engine, while in the United States many of the same chassis were being outfitted with Lotus twin-cam engines for what was known as Formula B. By 1972, F2 graduated to two-liter displacement, with engines being manufactured by firms such as Cosworth, Hart and BMW. During this same period, Formula Atlantic replaced FB, both in the United States and overseas, with similar chassis to the F2 cars, but running the 1,600-cc Cosworth BDA or BDD engine.

Though various models were sold in both F2 and Atlantic form, the F2 cars today command a much higher value due to their more sophisticated and expensive engines. The value of these F2 variants is also bolstered by the fact that they were usually driven by some of the greatest, current or up-and-coming F1 drivers of the day, names such as Jackie Stewart, Jochen Rindt, Niki Lauda, Emerson Fittipaldi and the like.

The post F2/FB/Formula Atlantic appeared first on Sports Car Digest.

The FIA sports prototypes were some of the most exciting purpose-built racing cars ever designed. They competed under the regulations set forth by the FIA (Federation International Automobile) in the International Championship of Makes from 1964-1971, and the World Championship of Makes from 1972-1981. The regulations changed somewhat as the years passed, 5.0-liter engines then 3.0- liter engines, etc., but the concept remained the same: to allow manufacturers to design the most fascinating, technically advanced sports racing cars the world had seen. Then have them compete in a World Championship, which included racing in the great endurance races such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the Nürburgring, Spa and Monza 1000 Kilometers and the Targa Florio. Alfa Romeo, Alpine Renault, Ferrari, Ford, Lola, Matra and Porsche, all designed very lightweight, successful sports prototypes to compete in the World Championship. From this came the Alfa Romeo, Tipo 33/12, Ferrari 512M, Ford GT40, Matra 670 and Porsche 917. They were driven by the world’s best drivers at a time when Formula One drivers still enjoyed driving in sports car races. Today FIA sports prototypes qualify to race in many great historic events such as the Le Mans 24 Hour Classic, Classic Endurance Series and the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion. Due to their technology, great designs, eligibility and low production numbers, FIA sports prototypes have steadily been increasing in value.

The post FIA Sports Prototypes appeared first on Sports Car Digest.

From the very beginning of the automobile, men with a passion for speed and technology built cars to compete. These innovators are in an elite club with their place in automotive history guaranteed as the creators of a true classic sports car, a genuine thoroughbred.

The development of the racing sports car can be traced to specific manufacturers who at one time in history dominated motor racing, in particular the world’s most challenging road races, such as the Mille Miglia, Targa Florio and endurance contests like the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

The post Pre-War, Part 2 appeared first on Sports Car Digest.

The Canadian American Challenge Cup was co-sanctioned by the SCCA and the CASC; it was a series nicknamed the “unlimited” series. Although there was a basic set of rules, the cars had to be twoseaters with bodywork covering the wheels, have doors, a windscreen, brake lights and various safety requirements, there was no regulation on the dimensions, minimum weight, materials used or the size of the tires. This was all open to the creativity of the designer.

The nickname “unlimited” came from the regulations allowing engines of unlimited displacement and number of cylinders, i.e. horsepower. Essentially this was the open sports racing car series and it became a hotbed of new technology and racing car design.

The post Can-Am Race Car Market & Values (2018) appeared first on Sports Car Digest.

From the very beginning of the automobile, man built cars to compete with a passion for speed and technology. These early innovators are in an elite club with their place in automotive history guaranteed as the creators of a true classic sports car, a genuine thoroughbred.

The development of the racing sports car can be traced to specific manufacturers, who at one time in history dominated motor racing, in particular, the world’s most challenging road races, such as the Mille Miglia, Targa Florio and endurance contests such as the Le Mans 24 Hours.

The post Pre-War, Part 1 appeared first on Sports Car Digest.

In the first of a series of new Market Guide columns, our market expert Mark Leonard takes a look back at Monterey Car Week—what sold, what didn’t and what it means for the market.

The week of activities in Monterey brought thousands of car enthusiasts from around the globe to partake in concours, historic races, auctions and art shows. Without listing all the opportunities, it is clear to see the exuberant enthusiasm for the historic car world in each event.

For many, the week began Tuesday with the Carmel-By-The Sea Concours on the Avenue. For more than a decade, organized by Doug Freedman, attendees can be found casually walking, talking and viewing the hundreds of cars that lined Ocean Avenue and side streets. Concours on the Avenue benefits The Carmel Foundation, like many other concours, including Pebble Beach and The Quail, the motorsports industry supports local and national charities. It is a wonderful atmosphere for both attendees and participants – a great start to the week!

Guests of Gordon McCall’s Motorworks Revival mingled among stunning vehicles and jet aircraft while enjoying the tastes of local restaurants and wineries. This is an annual highlight for those in attendance, many of whom start their Monterey Motorsports week here at The Jet Center.

Passion parades along Highway 1 and through Carmel with spectators lining up where possible to see the Pebble Beach Tour d’Elegance. Entrants to the premiere concours of the week drive the 75-mile course before getting polished for their place on the coveted green Sunday.

The end of the week has a variety of events taking place at the same time and in different venues. Car enthusiasts are forced to follow their passion and make difficult decisions whether it is to The Quail Motorsports Gathering, Legends of the Autobahn, Werks Reunion or Concorso Italiano. The Quail, with its gastronomic fare from five nations and outstanding venue, celebrated 70 Years of the Iconic Porsche and featured several unique automobiles.

All this taking place down the road from some great historic racing at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca with FIA Masters Historic Formula 1 among the groups. Nissan, the featured marque, saw a tremendous turn out of both attendees and competitors.

The auctions, often seen as a barometer of the market while only representing five percent of collector car sales, saw an array of success. Bonhams recorded $37.7 million of sales and a sell-through rate of 82%. Gooding & Co. sales totaled $116 million with a 84% sell-through rate. RM Sotheby’s announced a record-setting $158 million in sales with an 83% sell-through rate.

The numbers and mood showed that rare, low-production sports cars and racing cars in top condition were multi-million-dollar sellers. However, not all positive sales results had to be multi-million-dollar sales with quality cars at several levels selling at strong numbers. Three 1958 Porsche Speedsters each sold for over $500,000 and four Jaguar E-Type Series I each sold over for $300,000. This includes several at the mid-level with a 1959 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Spider for $137,500 at Gooding & Company and a 1959 Alfa Romeo 2000 Spider by Touring for $207,200 at RM Sotheby’s. Also at RM Sotheby’s a 1966 Porsche 911 went for an impressive $246,400, while a 1962 Mercedes-Benz 190 SL sold for just under $180,000. This shows that quality cars, at all levels, are going to sell.

In public auction history, only 47 cars have sold for more than $10 million at public auction and only 11 for more than $20 million. In 2018, the 1935 Duesenberg SSJ for $22 million by Gooding & Co. and the $48.4 million sale of a 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO by RM Sotheby’s.

With the large number of rare expensive cars up for public sale, many wondered if the market place would be able to support it and the buyers did. All indicators that the serious collector is in the market for the best – only the best. Higher production sports cars, in perfect condition, will sell for good numbers. Cars found to be average, ordinary or questionable either did not sell or did at an adjusted number. Great cars sell for great prices. Good cars sell for good prices. Serious collectors, even in the auction arena, demand the best. It is clear when following one’s passion, only the best will do.

The post Post-Monterey Auction/Market Overview appeared first on Sports Car Digest.