Browse high-end classic cars for sale and the majority of the more expensive classics will have some racing pedigree or be in some way sporty. Look at the most expensive cars ever sold at auction and all are commended for speed and motorsport success.
There are however other ways to spend a lot of money on a classic car. Cult classics that were never the fastest or best to drive but were culturally iconic. Cars that started as normal family transport that have, over time, become very collectible. Whether it be for styling or revolutionary aspects, some classic cars may be slow but they are worth a lot of money.
10 Range Rover ($100,000)
The original Range Rover can claim to have changed the way people see off-roaders. Offering a crumb more refinement than a Land Rover, the Range Rover eventually morphed into the luxury SUV that is so popular these days.
The original Range Rover is getting expensive, however, in part because of its iconic design. One was even displayed in the Louvre as a symbol of industrial design. Whilst later four-door models are still affordable, two-door models are getting expensive despite being slow thanks to the 3.5-liter V8. Restored early examples can even cost north of $100,000.
9 Abarth 595 ($50,000)
If the Fiat 500 has been a proper hatchback, the Abarth 595 could claim to be a proper hot hatch. Built for motorsport, it featured only 30bhp, not an awful lot for a supposed performance car.
The later 695 models were bored out further to produce 40 bhp. Still not exactly quick. The 695 is at least a fun car to drive with great handling dynamics. Examples of the 695 can command prices of nearly $60,000 and are clear collectors favourites.
8 Monteverdi Safari ($50,000)
Believe it or not but this smart looking Swiss SUV is actually a re-bodied International Harvester Scout. Offering genuine luxury, the Safari can be considered a pioneer of SUVs just like the original Range Rover.
With either a 5.7-liter or 7.2-liter V8, the Safari had a healthy amount of power. Weighing in at over 4,600 lbs and mated to a lazy three-speed automatic gearbox, the Safari is not exactly set up for speed. Even so, these cars in good condition can cost around $50,000.
7 Citroen DS Décapotable ($120,000)
The Citroen DS can legitimately be considered one of the most important cars in the world. Offering hydropneumatic, self-levelling suspension, it showcased advanced technology in a normal family car. It is also a French icon.
The rare convertible models were initially coach built to order by Henri Chapron. Citroen later offered these Chapron models through their own company, again built to special order. With the exclusivity and gorgeous design of the DS Décapotable, they can now fetch over $200,000.
6 VW Samba Bus ($150,000)
The VW Type 2 is now a cultural icon. However, the original Type 2 was a simple Beetle powered van until the introduction of the Microbus variant in 1951. Of these, the top of the range Samba model is what really commands top prices with collectors. Even with the fact they are incredibly slow.
The general consensus is that, the more windows, the higher the price. The pinnacle of this being the 23 windowed Samba Microbus. The split windscreen models in particular are fan favourites. These can often command prices north of $150,000.
5 Austin Mini ($30,000)
The original Mini is a symbol of British ingenuity. Featuring a transverse-mounted engine and cleverly integrated gearbox in the sump, the Mini offered a family car on a smaller scale. The standard Mini made use of an 848cc engine with only 34 bhp and a top speed of barely more than 70 mph.
The earliest Austin models (badged Se7en) are the most sought after non-sporty Minis. 1959-1961 is the prime years for collectors with the rubber-cone suspension (discontinued in 1964) being a particular point of interest. Pristine examples of these can sell for $30,000.
4 Toyota FJ40 ($80,000)
The Toyota FJ40 is a genuinely usable classic car both on and off-road. Even today this car is rugged and reliable enough to be used in the harshest of conditions. They are also becoming collectable classic cars.
The most popular models for collectors are the short wheelbase, petrol models. Restored or well-maintained models can cost more than $80,000. Even with a relatively large engine (4.1 liters), these models only produce 135 bhp, not a lot of power.
3 Porsche 356 - Gmünd built ($200,000)
The Porsche 356 is the reason Porsche are so popular. With models like the Carrera, 1600 Super and Speedster, the 356 was a really good sports car in the 1950s and established Porsche as a maker of really good sports cars.
The earliest models, assembled in Gmünd, Austria, however, aren't that sporty. Despite the sporty exterior and now legendary nameplate, these cars were powered with anaemic 1100cc engines that struggled to be properly sporty. They are, however, historically important and can cost over $200,000.
2 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz ($300,000)
The Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz is perhaps the greatest exercise in jet-age American styling. With the monster tail fins, lashings of chrome and a gargantuan length of over 5 meters, it is as iconic as Elvis Presley or an American diner.
The Eldorado Biarritz was the most expensive and exclusive Cadillac purchasable in 1959. With a 340 bhp V8, it sounds like it should be pretty quick, but the huge size means they are actually quite slow. Yet a pristine example can cost nearly $400,000.
1 DeLorean DMC12 ($50,000)
This car was made famous for its inclusion in the Back to the Future trilogy and is a collectable car today. With a Giugario penned body, rear-mounted V6 engine and gullwing doors, it sounds like a promising sports car to own.
Yet, despite using the same Peugeot-Renault-Volvo V6 engine as the sporty Alpine A310, the DeLorean DMC-12 was not that sporty or fast. Thanks to heavy a stainless-steel body, the DMC-12 couldn't make full use of the 170bhp and was not a quick car. Expect to pay $50,000 for one, however.