Even if you don't think you're a car lover, you can't help but be intrigued by a collection of rare automobiles. Perhaps it's due to the attractiveness of these Unique Classic Cars like "The Spirit of Nemo." Maybe it's the uncommon but timeless fashions.
Collecting a rare automobile may be a lucrative hobby for people all over the globe. Due to low production numbers, advanced age, or unusual design, vehicles that are hard to come by may bring a hefty price tag at auction or on the private market.
There's a backstory behind each of the world's rarest automobiles. These rare vehicles are an integral part of the beautiful history of the automotive industry and provide fuel for the aspirations of automobile enthusiasts worldwide since some are among the most expensive cars in the world.
In addition, avid vehicle collectors would reportedly stop at nothing to get a model considered the rarest in the world.
1962 Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato
Zagato is well-recognized as a top coachmaker. Since its founding in 1919, Aston Martin has been responsible for producing some of the world's most stunning automobiles, including the Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato.
The Aston's design was so well-received that it was included in an exhibition at Atlanta's High Museum of Art that featured 18 vehicles and commemorated what some have dubbed "the golden period of automotive design," which spanned from the 1930s through the 1960s. There were only 19 made, and one of them fetched a whopping $14,3 million.
Talbot-Lago T26 Grand Sport (1948-51)
One of the most powerful automobiles of its day, the Talbot Lago Grand Sport was driven by a 4.5-liter, 6-cylinder engine that generated 190 horsepower. Because of its rarity and performance capabilities, the postwar Talbot Lago Grand Sport became a legend in the automotive world.
The production run was limited to only 12 pieces. Taking Louis Rosier to victory in the 1950 Le Mans 24-Hour Race furthered the car's stellar reputation. Collectors possess the remaining vehicles, with just one on exhibit at the Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum.
The Atlantic Coupe Bugatti 57SC
Lightweight and low-slung, it is considered the "ultimate" Bugatti and the first racecar. A $114 million Bugatti Type 57 SC Atlantic Coupe, one of just four ever built, has gone missing. The Atalante is a two-door vehicle based on the 57S chassis, and it is widely considered among the most unique and costly automobiles in the world.
Royal Kellner Bugatti Coupe
Only six of the 1931 Bugatti Royale Kellner Coupes were ever Produced due to high demand. Most of the surviving pieces are now on exhibit in museums and private collections all around the globe.
Ettore Bugatti had hoped to sell the cars to members of the royal family for $30,000. However, his plans fell through during the Great Depression. The car's 12.7-liter engine is among the largest ever installed.
Helica De Leyat
The 1921 Paris Auto Show culminated in the product you see before you. The designer said they had a lot of interest but couldn't find the money to make it in huge quantities. Twenty-three of the thirty 1921 Leyat Helica propeller automobiles that the Frenchman Marcel Leyat produced were sold. Leyat dabbled in car design despite his experience in aviation.
The Spirit Of Nemo
With a length of 21.65 feet, Captain Nemo's six-wheeled Nautilus automobile is a behemoth and has been part of a cinematic memorabilia collection for decades.
The vehicle reportedly changed hands in 2015 or 2016 and can now be seen being driven around London. We have never seen a more ostentatious automobile than this one. The Spirit of Nemo was invented for The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, and a street-legal version of the vehicle exists.
The 916 Porsche
The Stuttgart-made Porsche 916 is a unique and very uncommon automobile. Considering that just 11 prototype Porsche 916s were ever produced in 1972, this model is so obscure that only the most devoted Porsche fans would have heard of it.
Management at Porsche believed the 916 was too costly to sell in sufficient numbers; thus, they abandoned it after developing prototypes. Only one of the eleven automobiles made it to the United States, and it is on display at the Automobile Atlanta Museum in Marietta, Georgia.
Ferrari F50 GT 1996
The Ferrari F50 GT was designed for the BPR Global GT Series in 1996 when it competed against Porsche and Mercedes. The project was ultimately scrapped, however, since the competition had improved their own offerings to the point that the Ferrari F50 was no longer competitive.
One was built as a prototype, and the remaining two were sold to eager buyers. Dedicated motorists have purchased all three vehicles, with whispers circulating that Vehicle 001 currently generates over 950 horsepower. Even though it was never used in an actual race, the 1996 Ferrari F50 GT is still highly prized by collectors and enthusiasts.
"Rolls Royce" 15 Hp
Following their December 23, 1904 agreement, Charles Rolls and Henry Royce produced four automobiles, one of which was the Rolls Royce 15 Hp. Only six were produced, and only one is still around today, making it worth over $35 million at today's prices.
1954 Packard Panther-Daytona Roadster
Four of these Packard roadsters were ever produced. The car's initial working title was "The Grey Wolf II," but the manufacturer ultimately decided that "Panther" better honored the 1903-1904 Packard racer.
The fiberglass body is molded in one continuous piece. It has a 212 hp inline-8 engine paired with a 2-speed automated gearbox and can reach a top speed of 131 mph. At a Barrett-Jackson auction in 2013, it sold to a private bidder for $825,000, which is a reasonable price.
The 1969 ZL1 Chevrolet Camaro
Given that just 69 examples were produced, it's safe to assume that the value of a ZL1 now would exceed the roughly $500,000 paid for one at auction in 2012, with some industry experts speculating that a mint condition example might bring over $1 million. One of the most coveted muscle/pony cars is the 1969 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1.
A number of these Camaros have been hacked to pieces, but the ones that have survived are kept in good hands by collectors and auto enthusiasts around the country.
1971 Plymouth Hemi Cuda Convertible
Most car enthusiasts don't see the 1971 Hemi 'Cuda Convertible as anything special. Only a few of this type were manufactured in 1971, making it desirable among collectors. One of them sold for $1,320,000 at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale in January 2013 and then again for $3.2 million to a private collector at a Mecum auction a mere year later.
Tucker 48
Only 51 vehicles, including the prototype, were produced before the firm went bankrupt. The Tucker Torpedo is a vehicle conceived of by Preston Tucker. The manufactured vehicles, dubbed "cars of the future," had a maximum speed of 120 miles per hour.
Bugatti Royale
When it was created, it served as a symbol of extraordinary fortune. Though it has lost its status as the world's most expensive automobile in recent years, the name has not been associated with an auction in quite some time.
The official moniker for this vehicle is Bugatti Type 41, however, the Royale is the more common name. The 252-inch long body of this luxury vehicle is propelled by a straight-eight engine that is 12.763 liters in displacement.
Aston Martin DBR1
Regarding racing vehicles from the 1950s, the Aston Martin DBR1 is the undisputed champion. It's a shame that there were only five of these beautiful green vehicles made, since they won both the Le Mans and Nürburgring races.
It's a shame that only five of these beautiful green vehicles were made, since they won both the Le Mans and Nürburgring races.
It sets a new record for the highest money ever paid at auction for a vehicle built in Britain. It's more cost-effective to visit one at the Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum in England than to buy one for an estimated $22.5 million.
1928 Mercedes-Benz S-Type 26/180 Sports Tourer
Only 150 of these vintage automobiles were ever produced, and only a tiny fraction are still driving about today. The Mercedes-Benz S-Type 26/180 Sports Tourer was designed by Ferdinand Porsche in 1928. Currently, all known examples are safely stored in private collections; it may be several years before another one appears for sale.
1960 Porsche Abarth 356B Carrera GTL
Few people, even Porsche fans, will be familiar with the 1960 Porsche Abarth 356B Carrera GTL unless they are interested in the model's history.
The Italian firm Abarth, primarily renowned for producing powerful Fiats, worked with Porsche on this project. The car's current market value is unknown. Twenty Abarth 365s were produced, and one now resides in the Collier Collection, where the general public may see it.
Fewer than twenty were likely produced, and each likely sold for about $6,500 at the time, according to estimates given by those who should know.
1957 Jaguar XKSS
According to experts, Steve McQueen's $5,000 purchase of a "British Racing Green" automobile in the 1960s is now worth an estimated $30 million in 2014. Only 16 Jaguar XKSSs were ever produced, and only around a dozen are thought to exist today.
The Louwman Museum in The Hague is home to XKSS 722. The James Hull collection of 450 British automobiles, including another XKSS and a Jaguar D-type and C-type, fetched an estimated £100 million when it was auctioned in 2013.
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