Porsche 356 Speedster + Lambo Miura + Aston Martin DB5 - Ones That Got Away 400

By: Cliff Chambers

Date: 05.05.2017

Porsche 356 Speedster, Lamborghini Miura and Aston Martin DB5 - just some of the bargains we missed out on from years gone by

See the next Lloyds classic auction

Porsche 356 Speedster - April 1986

No one can logically explain the unbridled demand for Porsche Speedsters. They aren’t especially fast or scarce – plenty seem to have survived from the 4854 built – yet auction values for exceptional cars exceed US$200,000. This 1957 model looks to be in fine condition and the vendor’s ‘$30,000 firm’ is consistent with prices being sought at the time. Local values are a little below the world mark, but the buyer of this beauty would hopefully be happy with a six-fold increase.

SINCE THEN: Early Porsche values have soared with Speedster pricing leading the charge. We said back at #311 that US$200,000 was being achieved by exceptional cars – well, amend that to $400,000.

Then: $30,000. Now: $350-380,000

Lamborghini Miura - October 1997

Imagine trotting down to the BMW dealer in search of a used 318 and finding this crouched on the forecourt. How BMW Sydney came to acquire a Lamborghini Miura went unexplained but chrome rings around the headlights suggest that this is the later ‘S’ version and one of only 150 made. Seldom-used supercars can be a source of problems so that ‘1000 miles since complete rebuild’ might not be the bonus it seemed. Even so, $200,000 a few years before Miura demand blossomed ranks this car as a major bargain.

SINCE THEN: Despite turning 50 the Miura still ranks amongst the most desirable automotive designs of all time. It took until 2014 for someone to pay $1M+ for a Miura S but sales since then have all achieved seven figure prices.

Then: $199,900. Now: $1.3-1.5M

Aston Martin DB5 - August 1990

Painted in Silver Birch just like Meester Bond’s 007 car, this beauty could have sparked an international incident simply by parking within snooping distance of some well-known foreign embassies. Of the 1021 DB5s built just 57 came with the 234kW Vantage engine option, so this is an extremely rare car. The only improvements necessary would be revolving number plates and an ejector seat. At $98,500, this DB5 was pretty much top dollar for its day but around a fifth of what you’d pay now for an equivalent car.

SINCE THEN: Values as confirmed by recent sales of DB5 coupes show these cars pushing regularly to more than US$1 million. Outstanding Vantage coupes and Dropheads exceed US$2M.

Then: $98,500. Now: $1.1-1.3M

Unique Cars magazine Value Guides

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