Our specialty may be exotics, but collectibles are just as important. A few of our salespeople have been here for more than three decades, and they have helped us develop a keen eye for undervalued iron. Here are our ten cars that may become future collectible cars. Everyone has to have at least one story about something on this list, so tell us why you think these will be worth more than their original value in a few years.
Editor’s Note: This information is not meant to be used as advice for financial investments. Consult a financial planning expert prior to making any investment decisions.
2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT-8
The engineers at Chrysler are a rowdy sort, and as such they decided to stuff their most potent V8 into the Grand Cherokee. The result was an SUV capable of lapping purpose built race cars. A steep retail price kept production numbers very low, and because of that SRT8 Jeeps are poised to trade for much higher prices in the near future
1987 Porsche 928
Finding a decent 928 is becoming very hard, and finding a qualified shop to work on it is another task altogether. They have become a hotbed for Chevrolet engine swaps and many have been stripped into track cars. This one looks to be untouched with only 64,000 on the odometer. At this price, who can pass it up?
1994 Mazda RX-7 R2
Federal clean air laws and upcoming fuel economy standards will probably be the end of the rotary engine. Their rugged and simple construction was heavily utilized by Mazda and powered their RX series of sports cars for decades. Because rotary engines are easily modified, you can more than double your power with an afternoon’s work. That’s why finding an unmodified RX-7 is almost impossible. You may not win any races in showroom form, but spinning the small mill to 9,000 rpm is a completely rewarding experience. Buy this one before it becomes Fast and/or Furious.
1974 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40
Japan’s answer to the Land Rover Defender, the original Toyota Land Cruiser FJ 40 was a six cylinder go-anywhere 4WD. Because they were used as intended, finding even a decent running one will take some time. While not big on luxury, they are light and nimble, which is an advantage in muddy situations. They were built from 1960 to 2001 and have an aftermarket second only to the Jeep Wrangler. This one has upgraded wheels and tires along with a marine grade surround sound system.
1996 Chevrolet Corvette
Corvette’s fifth generation was supposed to hit dealers as early as 1992, but an economic slump and the development of the all-aluminum LS1 engine pushed the C5 back to a 1997 launch. Because the C4 had been in production since early 1983, Chevrolet decided to give it a proper sendoff. The upcoming LS1 engine meant the end of the traditional Chevrolet small block V8, so a larger camshaft and cylinder heads were fitted to make 330 hp and 340 lb-ft of torque. Grand Sports were admiral blue and white, with two hash marks on the front left fender recalling Corvette racers of the past. They were fitted with 11” wide rear wheels from the ZR1 that required fender flares to fit inside the body. Only 810 coupes and 190 convertibles were built, and they rarely change hands.
2005 Cadillac CTS-V
Why would you put a Corvette Z06’s engine and transmission into a heavy 4-door sedan? Cadillac said “Why not?” The 405 hp LS6 V8 and six-speed manual transmission were borrowed from the top-level Corvette and offered in CTS-Vs built from 2004 to 2007, with only a few thousand built each year. Only a few color choices and lack of an automatic transmission limited the car’s appeal, but they were a force to be reckoned with on the street.
1999 BMW M3
Every time we hear about the BMW E36 platform, it’s related to track days and winning trophies. This chassis makes for the perfect race car, and that’s why their value and collectability are poised to takeoff. This is the first one we have seen in awhile that doesn’t have a roll cage and race slicks; at this price you can’t go wrong.
1989 Nissan GT-R
Our federal government’s 25-year import ban was meant to protect our domestic auto makers, but it also hurts the market for late model performance cars. What you see here is among one of the first 1989 Japanese Domestic Market Nissan GT-Rs to be legally imported. This right-hand drive model was tuned to 690 hp in Japan, but had to be detuned to run on pump gas. If you want a GT-R with a real manual transmission, this one is undoubtedly your opportunity.
1981 Mercedes-Benz 250 GD 4×4 Wagon
Sure, G-wagens are all the rage on South Beach and Wilshire Blvd, but they are also quite capable off road. This 2-door short wheelbase model features the sought after soft-top with an immaculate interior. Shod in Nitto Trail Grappler tires, this five speed, five cylinder diesel has enough torque to pull the heaviest of toys. A loving owner has upgraded the stereo and headlights, and the leather lumbar seats are a far cry from the army buckets originally offered in 1981. When was the last time you saw one for sale?
2012 Fisker Karma
Every year we keep hearing rumors that Fisker is almost ready to resume production. Some said the technology wasn’t perfected, others knocked the unique styling, but the facts speak for themselves. The turbocharged Chevrolet four-cylinder generator is a smooth runner, and offers unlimited range if you don’t have time to charge. Around 1,800 were sold and Hurricane Sandy wiped out an entire shipment on the docks in New Jersey. They stand alone as the most advanced gas-electric hybrid built to date. If you need a fast stylish sedan, good Karma is destined to come your way.
