Expensive Junk: 10 Rusty Cars That Cost More Than You Think

The pricing of classic cars is an incomprehensible thing for the average person. To once again confirm this thesis, we found 10 examples. At first glance, no one needs these cars, even for the price of scrap metal, but you will be surprised how much they actually cost.

Austin mini se7en

In 2012, an unremarkable, thoroughly rusty Austin Mini got into the listings of the auction house Bonhams. Nevertheless, the experts of the house have estimated the British car very highly - at 19-24 thousand dollars. The fact is that this particular white Mini in the De Luxe Saloon version was released back in 1959 and is one of the first serial Mini on the planet. Eighth, to be exact.

As it turned out later at the auction, the house Bonhams did not guess the approximate price of Mini: Austin left for 65 thousand dollars (4.5 million rubles). And after restoration, its value will grow even more significantly.

Citroen DS 19 Décapotable

This Citroen DS 19 convertible was made by Henri Chapron in the mid-60s. The car belongs to the Usine series, which means that it was covered by the full Citroen factory warranty. As you can see, the convertible has a difficult fate: the stunning beauty of the Citroen drove for a very short time, since in the early 70s the car got into a minor accident. After the accident, the car went to the garage, where it stood motionless for several decades.

The forgotten convertible was discovered at the end of 2014, and, as you can see, its condition is very far from ideal. Nevertheless, the car is completely complete and completely devoid of any "collective farm", so the auctioneers rated it as 100 thousand euros (7.8 million rubles). For this money, you can buy three new DS 7 Crossback crossovers in Western Europe.

Porsche 356 Pre-A

In the United States, a quality replica of the Porsche 356 can be purchased for about $ 50,000. Original cars are much more valuable. Even if we are talking about specimens that breathe in incense.

What time do you think the seller from Santa Ana (California) estimated this copy of the Porsche 356, in which the whole body is decently crumpled, and the 1.5-liter engine is purely nominal? Probably, if it were 356B, its price would be at most 40 thousand dollars. But in this case, we are talking about the early Pre-A series, the surviving copies of which are most appreciated by collectors. Therefore, the price tag in 150 thousand dollars (10.5 million rubles) for the 1952 coupe is not fiction at all, but reality.

Talbot Lago T26 Grand Sport

Believe it or not, this Talbot Lago was exhibited at the 1950 Geneva Motor Show and 1951 London Auto Show. It belongs to the rarest family of short-wheelbase coupes T26 Grand Sport, of which only 29 pieces were made. And its body is completely unique: the car was purchased from the Talbot Lago factory personally by Yakov Savchik, the founder of the body shop of the same name.

After the 50s, the fastback's life went downhill: he got into several accidents, after which he got up for a long time in one of the sheds in France. Therefore, now it seems that a unique car will fall apart if you just sneeze at it. Nevertheless, the auctioneers, realizing how unique this specimen is, believe that its cost is from 400 to 600 thousand euros (31.3–47 million rubles). They already tried to sell the car at the Artcurial auction, but then the proposed rate did not reach the reserve.

Maserati 5000 GT

At first glance, this Maserati 5000 GT with a Ghi body is only good for a paperweight, but someone saw a lot of potential in it and gave 480 thousand dollars for a rusty car last year. Or 533 thousand dollars - if you count with taxes (37.2 million rubles).

The car has a long and complicated history. This 5000 GT is the only one of its kind that has been outfitted with a unique bodywork by Studio Ghi. The car was shown at the Turin Motor Show in 1961, its first owner was Ferdinando Innocenti - the same Innocenti who owned the scooter factory. Later, the car was sold to Saudi Arabia, where she spent most of her life. In the barn.

The five-liter engine with 380 horsepower Lucas injection in the coupe does not work, and the interior is decently ransacked. The new owner will have to fork out a lot to return the Maserati to its former greatness.

Plymouth cuda

Mecum is due to bid in July, with a battered Plymouth Cuda convertible promising to be one of the most interesting lots. They plan to help out for him from 500 to 700 thousand dollars (34.9–48.8 million rubles).

Why so expensive? Firstly, Plymouth Cud convertibles are in principle rare and cost from 100 thousand dollars. Secondly, in this case we are talking about the rarest version of V-Code 440-6 BBL. Only 17 convertibles were built in this version. Thirdly, this is an export version of the V-Code 440-6 BBL - with a wing and an extended front seat backrest. And there are two of these machines all over the world.

Under the hood of the convertible is a 7.2-liter V8, which does not amaze with power (290 horsepower), but surprises with torque (664 Nm). The motor is mated to a three-speed automatic transmission.

Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster

The 300 SL Gullwing Coupé can be a lot of money. Especially when it comes to cars in their original form. But how much will a roadster pull, which has slightly less rust than the Titanic?

As it turned out, for a very decent amount - 800 thousand dollars (55.8 million rubles). Because it's one of 256 first-generation 300 SL roadsters that hit the US. And one of 101 examples that were painted light blue. The last entries in the car's service book were dated 1968. And the 300 SL itself, according to the documents, was transferred to the owner on June 20, 1961.

Technically, the 300 SL roadster is quite different from the coupe: different camshafts were placed on open cars, thanks to which the six-cylinder engines developed 20 more forces, as well as a reconfigured rear suspension, which reduced oversteer.

Aston Martin DB Team Car

It's a shame to see one of the most important cars in Aston Martin's history in such an unsightly way. However, in 2016 it was sold at auction for £ 679,100 (58.5 million rubles) - there is no doubt that the car is in good hands and is already undergoing restoration in order to light it up at one of the Elegance Contests.

This coupe is one of the first Aston Martin race cars built in the era of David Brown. The prototype took part in the "24 Hours of Le Mans" in 1949, where it took seventh place in the overall standings and third place in its class. A couple of weeks later, the same car became the fifth in the 24-hour race at the Spa track in Belgium. Definitely one of those cars that just needs to be restored.

Ford Mustang GT390 Fastback

If not for one film role, this shabby Mustang in America would hardly have pulled even 100 thousand dollars. But he was lucky enough to become the car of Lieutenant Bullitt, whom Steve McQueen played in the film of the same name. And this circumstance made this Mustang the most expensive representative of the model in history.

An unnamed customer who offered the final bid over the phone paid for a 1968 movie relic $ 3.74 million (about 260.8 million rubles). And, as far as we know, it will keep the famous Mustang in an authentic, shabby condition. So the car fully conveys the spirit of that era and, of course, that chase.

Before the auction, which took place in early 2020, the Mustang belonged to the Kiernan family for 45 years. Sean Kiernan's father, Bob, bought the car in 1974 and occasionally drove it to various auto shows. But in 1980, fastback became real estate. Curiously, Steve McQueen wrote a letter to Bob Kiernan asking him to sell him the Mustang, but the owner refused. This letter probably pushed up the value of the lot even more.

Ferrari 250 GT CaliforniSpyder SWB

It's no secret that a Ferrari 250 GTO, regardless of condition, is worth tens of millions of dollars. Other models of the Italian brand are significantly cheaper. However, this 250 GT short wheelbase was an exception: it was sold in 2015 for 23 (!) Million dollars … Or for 1.6 billion rubles at the current exchange rate.

An orderly rusted Ferrari roadster was found abandoned in one of the garages in France. Only 36 of these cars were built, and the copy, sold for such an impressive amount, belonged to the actor Alain Delon. On this Ferrari, the actor brought his colleague Jane Fonda, two-time Oscar winner, to the set of the movie "Predators". In general, not a 250 GT, but a real treasure of history.