Ranging from budget-friendly to extravagant options - Costly treasures: Famous '90s sports cars fetch millions now
Children growing up in the Ninety-Nines generation often recognize many of these cars through the "Need for Speed" video game series. In these games, winning was all about having a Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR or a McLaren F1 in your virtual garage. However, cars in the real world can be even more exciting than their pixelated counterparts, and some of these vehicles still exist on the roads in small quantities.
These priciest cars tend to have a common characteristic: Their manufacturers didn't initially plan to produce street-legal racecars but were compelled to do so by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA). To participate in certain races, manufacturers had to create a set number of vehicles.
Pressured Production
Iconic cars like the McLaren F1, Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR, Porsche 911 GT1, and Nissan R390 GT1 were affected by this mandatory production. For instance, there's only one Nissan with road approval, while fewer than 25 of the 911 GT1 and CLK GTR were made.
The most sought-after car at auctions, the McLaren F1, was sold 78 times as an ice racing version, but it takes the cake as the most expensive car in this roundup, with the last F1 being sold for $20.5 million. Fear not, though: Cars like the CLK GTR and even Ferraris are true treasures today.
Ferraris Are a Steal (Kind Of)
A Ferrari F40 costs approximately 1.6 million euros on popular trading platforms, while its successor, the F50, is valued at over 3 million euros. There were 1,315 units of the F40 manufactured. The F50, which was rarer, had only 349 units officially produced.
Less pricey yet equally legendary are the Lamborghini Diablo and Dodge Viper. While special models cost well into the six-figure range for both of these vehicles, they remain achievable dreams for the wealthy.
The most budget-friendly way to enter the world of the Ninety-Nines is through a Porsche 928 GTS, which can be found for only 40,000 euros, or a BMW 8-series E31, worth around 30,000 euros.
Sources: Mobile.de, Wikipedia, Auction Houses.
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The McLaren Group Limited, known for its luxury sports cars, was among the manufacturers forced to produce street-legal versions of their racecars due to FIA regulations. The Porsche 911 GT1, Nissan R390 GT1, and other iconic sports cars from the Nineties fall under this category.
A Ferrari, a brand synonymous with luxury sports cars, offers more affordable options compared to some other treasures from the Ninety-Nines. The Ferrari F40, for instance, costs approximately 1.6 million euros, while its successor, the F50, is valued at over 3 million euros.
In a stark contrast, the Porsche 928 GTS and the BMW 8-series E31 provide a more budget-friendly entry into the world of Ninety-Nines. The Porsche 928 GTS can be found for only 40,000 euros, and the BMW 8-series E31 is worth around 30,000 euros.
These expensive sports cars from the Nineties, such as the McLaren F1 and Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR, have significantly increased in value since their initial production. Today, they are considered costly treasures, often fetching millions at auctions.
