The classic car world embraces a large variety of sports cars. In the US, performance cars have often been associated with the muscle car category, mainly because in order to build big, heavy, and powerful cars, large V8s were needed. Those four-wheel muscle creations went on to become desired collectibles.
But across the pond, they took a very different approach to build performance cars. Engines would be smaller, turbochargers would be used to pump up the power, and the cars would be smaller and lighter. These are the best European sports cars that have been game-changing in the past, and now they worth a fortune.
8 1962 Mercedes-Benz 190Sl Roadster - $145,750
Here is a gorgeous example of what German engineers and designers were capable of in the early '60s. This Mercedes-Benz 190SL is the smaller sister of the better-known 300SL, famously known as the Gullwing, and collectors would pay a fortune for it.
The winning formula consists of one of the best fusions of proportion, design, sportiness, and elegance. The 1.9-liter 4-cylinder engine is mated to a 4-speed transmission, and this was enough to grant this tiny roadster decent performance to make it a fun drive.
7 1980 Bmw M1 AHG Coupe - $155,000
With time, German manufacturers also proved to be capable of less-sophisticated bodies, to favor wilder performances. This BMW M1 is all about geometrical '80s look and power. No frills, all thrills! To BMW, this meant a ruler-designed body and an aggressive M-performance AHG package.
The M1 was a limited production car with only 455 units built from 1979 to 1981, and this particular car is 1 of 10 that received the AHG package, which upgraded the 3.5-liter engine from 277 HP was to 350 HP. The upgrade included a racing clutch and a special exhaust.
6 1974 BMW 2002 Turbo - $170,500
It's rare to find such a rare pearl nowadays: the BMW 2002 Turbo has featured one of the most interesting and game-changing chapters in the automotive world, and to find such a clean and original unit is a real struggle.
The tiny and reduced dimensions of the car allowed the 2.0-liter turbocharged engine to push this car to the limits that — at that time — were standards set by way bigger cars with large V8s. What makes this 2002 Turbo even cooler is the factory 5-speed transmission.
5 1967 Jaguar E-Type Series 1 Roadster - $192,500
Let's move to the empire where the sun never sets with this outstanding spider. The curvy lines that accompany the tiny body are clear evidence of the glorious '50s racing inheritance Jaguar bears, but this '67 E-Type Roadster is much more than that.
The car is packing a 4.2-liter in-line six-cylinder engine with rebuilt carburetors, distributor, water, and fuel pumps. Taken back to its original condition, this British horse is the perfect example of a European piece of art on 4 wheels.
4 1967 Lamborghini 400 Gt 2+2 - $363,000
Lamborghini is not just about extreme sports cars, and this stunning 1967 400 Gt 2+2 is one of those exceptions that we love so much. Maniacally preserved, this car is almost unbelievably in its unrestored original condition.
The car is packing the original 3.9-liter DOHC V12 engine and drivetrain, which features 6 Weber twin-barrel carburetors and a 5-speed syncromesh manual transmission. The time-capsule condition and the advanced technology that made it so precious in the late '60s has made this Lambo astronomically expensive.
3 1972 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona - $544,500
We love exceptions, and this Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona isn't painted red, but Argento Metallizzato (metallic silver), granting it an amazing classy look. The Daytona, though, is famous for being built in several different versions, like the rare, one-off barn find that was discovered in Japan.
The beating heart of this beauty from Maranello is a 4.4-liter DOHC front-mounted V12 engine with 6 Weber carburetors and a 5-speed manual gearbox. The powertrain is combined with a 4-wheel disc brake system, which was not common at the time.
2 1973 Porsche 911 Carrera Rs Touring - $650,000
The Porsche 911 is one of those things we're glad didn't change too much with time. Rather, over the years, we've learned how to appreciate more some incredible technology and mechanical advancement that made this generation of sports cars so outstanding.
The 2.7-liter boxer engine was mated to a 5-speed transmission, and was capable of 210 HP. Featuring independent front and rear suspension and 4-wheel disc brakes, this iconic 911 Carrera was one of the highest-end coupes in the '70s, and one of the hugest investments at the time being.
1 1969 Maserati Ghibli 4.9 Spyder - $920,000
Maserati wanted to pursue the habit of giving cars the names of the winds. We can easily get behind this decision and agree that the 1969 Ghibli is absolutely a one-of-a-kind cabriolet, that actually looks like it was shaped by a gentle summer wind.
Not as gentle as the wind that bears its name, the Ghibli is packing a huge 4.9-liter quad-cam engine that's mated to a rare 5-speed transmission and delivers some 330 HP. In 1969, the entire world was thrilled by the release of some of the coolest American muscle cars ever — the Ghibli was the Italian-style response to that.