They say ‘diamonds are forever,’ and that’s true for some old-school gems like the 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR “Uhlenhaut Coupe,” which sold for a whopping $143 million. The thrill of working on a classic car project and bringing it back to its original glory is a dream too many car enthusiasts share.
The emotional benefits and the monetary payoff are as good as winning the lottery. But not all that’s old will convert into gold. Trying to restore some classics is an endless cycle of despair – they are too costly to repair.
And even if you pull off a 360 restoration, it might never truly become an original. It’ll be a resto-mod – something many classic car purists aren’t enthusiastic about laying down millions of bucks for at an auction. The following are vintage cars that cost too much to restore.
1935 Duesenberg SSJ
Not many car enthusiasts know about the 1935 Duesenberg SSJ – let alone seen one. The Duesenberg SSJ is one of the most expensive American vintage cars of all time. During the 2018 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, a 1935 Duesenberg SSJ owned by an American actor, Gary Cooper(High Noon 1952 Film), sold for $30 million. The Supercharged SSJ trim came with a supercharged 420 cubic-inch straight-eight engine good for 400 horsepower. The chassis alone cost about $9,300 after 1932 (about $203, 763 inflation-adjusted). The close-to-a-century-old vintage American car is one that not many classic car lovers are enthusiastic about restoring.
Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic
The Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic is perhaps one of the rare, most sought-after vintage cars by collectors. It is believed to be the first supercar ever and the ultimate Bugatti. Here’s the truth. Of the 700 Bugatti Type 57s developed, only four are of the 57S Atlantic variant – making them very hard to come by.
A 1936 model of the 57S Atlantic sold for a staggering $30 million in 2010. Restoring this unit to factory spec is a daunting task. Its raked windshield, kidney-like doors, and rivetted fins are difficult to replicate.
That’s not all. The 57S Atlantic’s structural build incorporated Elekron (an alloy of magnesium and aluminum), which is one-third the weight of aluminum but is also highly flammable. This is a costly venture for any restorer.
1954 Mercedes-Benz W196 Silver Arrow
The 1954 Mercedes-Benz W196 Silver Arrow is a classic racing example from the German luxury car maker. Its expedient and visually appealing design is nothing short of a masterpiece. A unit (1 of 14) of this vintage car was sold for $29 million in 2013 (driven by F1 Champion Juan Manuel Fangio).
The build design of this classic racer was way ahead of its time. Built by Fritz nallinger and Rudolf Uhlenhaut, the W196 Silver Arrow a.k.a ‘W196 R’ was a performance spectacle that featured a fuel-injected four-stroke powerplant, a low-pivot swing axle, aerodynamic design, and a close-to-perfect balance.
Restoring this gem doesn’t come cheap. It might have been developed in the 50s, but its tech was well ahead of its time – a nightmare for classic car restorers today.
1956 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing
The Tesla Model X might have stunned the world with its Falcon Wings, but a post-war Mercedes-Benz might be the grandaddy of winged doors. Ladies and gentlemen, we are talking about the 1956 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing. Forget its iconic gullwing doors and timeless luxury statement. The 300SL was a weapon on the track.
Only 1,400 of these bad boys were produced, making it one of the rarest cars on the planet. Restoring the Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing isn’t a walk in the park. Not many parts or salvaged donor parts are readily available. However, if you pull it off – you are looking at a life-changing fortune.
1956 Aston Martin DBR1
The Aston Martin is the epitome of British luxury vehicles. What you might not know is Carroll Shelby once raced behind the wheel of a 1956 Aston Martin DBR1. This variant also goes down in automotive history as one of three cars in the 50s to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans Championship and World Sports Car Championship (in the same year).
It’s currently valued at $22 million, and as you’d expect, maintenance and repairs are expensive on this car that is close to seven decades old. Restoring this version of a vintage Aston Martin is not an easy fete. Its beautiful, curvy, lightweight exterior was rolled and beaten from wafer-thin aluminum (20-gauge).
Getting the 1956 Aston Martin DBR1 to factory spec can only be achieved by seasoned classic car restorers with deep pockets.
1958 Chevrolet Bel Air Impala
It’s hard to hate the third-generation Chevrolet Bel Air. It harbors an all-time classic car design, tons of personality, and enough grunt to show it means business. It’s more than 60 decades old, and that’s classic car gold for collectors and vintage car buffs. But things get dicier when it comes to restoration.
Abandoned units aren’t easy to rebuild. Its uniquely crafted exterior and long wheelbase are a nightmare for restorers, easily adding up the labor hours. Its rare interior bits, trims, and unique leather stitching also don’t come by easily.
1961 Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder
Vintage racers in good condition sell for decent bucks in classic car auctions. Barn finds of the same fetch fortunes, and the 1961 Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder is one of them. It’s also one of the most desirable car models in the world.
A 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spyder discovered in a French countryside barn sold for $16.74 million. It is one of 100 cars discovered in a rural barn in France. It goes down in history as one of the most expensive barn finds.
If an unrestored version sold for more than $16 million – how much would it cost to restore one? Where’s Elon Musk with a sink when you need one?
Ferrari 250 GTO
Ferraris have a good side and a bad side. In public, they’ll get heads rolling, and you’ll definitely earn your 60 minutes of fame. On the flip side, they’ll drag you to depression with hefty maintenance costs – especially if we are talking about a vintage version like the Ferrari 250 GT (developed between 1962 and 1964).
In 2014, a unit sold for close to $40 million. You won’t find replacement parts for this bad boy on Facebook Marketplace; only a few parts can be acquired through Ferrari, and they don’t come cheap.
1963 Volkswagen Samba Bus
The Volkswagen minivans have come a long way. During the 1960s, they were cool party vans, also synonymous with American counterculture – read hippie movement. VW hasn’t given up on this old design, and the I.D Buzz Van is arguably the coolest reincarnation of its old sibling, the Volkswagen Samba Bus.
The 1963 VW Samba Bus is currently one of the most expensive classic cars of its era. Back in the day, it was a luxury statement perfect for camping trips or family vacations. The pop-top roof, panoramic design with skylight windows (23 windows), and the two-tone color made it a hit.
Sourcing all its unique parts is a nightmare, and let’s not even get to the labor hours needed to recreate the pivotal doors, Skylight windows, or massive sunroof.
1963 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray
The Chevrolet Corvette has a long, illustrious history in American motorsports. It is believed that the Corvette Stingray got its name after its designer (Bill Mitchell) went on a fishing trip and marveled at a Stingray shark. Plus, it’s a catchy name that was good for marketing.
Trying to restore this rare bird to manufacturer spec could set you back a couple hundred thousand bucks. For starters, this particular model’s shorter wheelbase and chassis are rare.
Also, the Stingray was designed as a track car, with a sophisticated suspension for a more spirited driving experience – sourcing its age-old parts isn’t easy. Worse, the world-famous split window design only ran for one year.
Mercedes-Benz 600
Mercedes-Benz is synonymous with luxury and opulence. The Mercedes-Benz 600 was all about glitz and glamour when it came out – we are talking about the top creme of society: oligarchs, head honchos, royal families, and heads of state. It was developed from 1963 to 1981 by Daimler-Benz.
You might be familiar with its Pullman or short-wheelbase Limousine. That said. It’s not going to be easy restoring a vehicle that once hauled the Queen of England (Queen Elizabeth II) or infamous dictators.
Its complex luxury features and parts are costly to source and repair, thanks to its unique characteristics. It’ll take a lot of patience and money to get one done to factory standards.
1964 Ferrari 275 P
The 1964 Ferrari 275 P is a stunning racer. It’s also one of the most sought-after classics of all time. Classic race car buffs believe it was inspired by its older Le Mans champion sibling, the TRI/LM 330. The ’64 275 P might be Ferrari’s most historic race car ever made. Its 760 kg curvy structure and aluminum body were done by Pininfarina.
Forget about its good looks. The ‘64 Ferrari 275 P won the Le Mans Championships twice. That didn’t happen by chance; this speed demon packs a 3.2-liter V12 powerplant good for 300 horsepower.
The 1964 Ferrari 275 P is a true collector’s car – RM Sotheby’s private collection holds three variants of this model. Restoring, let alone owning, this classic racer is something only a few wealthy car lovers can afford.
Lamborghini 350 GT
The Lamborghini 350 GT is one of the earliest sports cars made by the Raging Bull manufacturer (1964 -1966). That said, a decent unit of the 350 GT costs close to a million bucks. Only 120 examples donning the 101 frames were developed. Like many of its era’s competitors, restoring a car close to a million dollars is not a walk in the park.
For starters, you’ll hardly see a Lamborghini 350 GT rolling down the street – and sourcing its rare components is a nightmare. The 350 GT is a restoration project only a handful of people would attempt.
1967 Ferrari 365 California Spyder
The 60s in the United States could be defined as the cultural decade. It was also an era of counterculture. In the Car scene, the Pontiac GTO, Shelby Cobra, Camaro, and Lincoln Continental were making headlines – and for those looking into foreign performance cars, the Ferrari 365 California Spyder was a favorite pick ( the 330 GTC also made a worthy pick).
Like most Italian luxury cars of the era, the Ferrari 365 California Spyder has gained value over time. It’s incredibly collectible, with a well-maintained unit going for over $1 million dollars. Restoring such a unit to Concours’ specifications is almost impossible if you lack the financial muscle.
1970 Plymouth Superbird
Most people feel the 90s and early 00s JDM sports cars like the Subaru Impreza WRX STI, Honda Type R, or the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution have obnoxious rear wings. They probably haven’t met the 1970 Plymouth Superbird. The iconic NASCAR champion had the most conspicuous aerodynamic design of all time – that gave it an unfair advantage during its reign of terror.
Only 2,000 of these bad boys were produced, 135 packing the 426 Hemi V8. Restoring this old bird isn’t easy, thanks to its rarity. Also, you’d need extremely deep pockets to pull it off (expensive parts). Still, the payoff is worth the effort.
1970 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 LT1
The Chevrolet Camaro is undeniably one of the most iconic names in the American muscle car scene. The 1970 Chevy Camaro Z28 LT1, the second generation from the marque, came different. It packed a rebuilt engine with chunkier valves, better lifters, aluminum pistons, and a longer wheelbase, which heightened its sporty appeal.
Unlike most cars on this list, the second-gen Camaro is restorable. There are several examples of successful restomods, but they’ll cost an arm and a leg. Also, some of its bits and trims are very rare.
1970 Dodge Challenger R/T
The 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T will go down in history as one of the most special American Mopar cars. Pretty looks only don’t justify the ‘70 Challenger R/T’s appeal. Its power and competitive demeanor on asphalt make it an American automotive darling.
You’ll need more than $100,000 to get one of these classic racers parked on your front porch. But they don’t come by easily, which says a lot about restoring them to factory specs.
1971 Ford Mustang Boss 351
The Ford Mustang Boss 351 Boss is a classic muscle car that only a handful of people can hate. You’ve got to admire its presence. This classic performance car is a head-turner regardless of the soil on which it rolls on the planet. A little over 1,800 units of this stunner were developed.
A neatly preserved version will cost you close to $100,000. Sadly, this generation of the Mustang wasn’t as reliable as its predecessors, and if you are looking to get one of these – prepare for some hefty repairs. PS: It won’t be cheap.
1973 Pontiac Trans Am SD-455
Much like the Chevrolet Corvettes of its era, the 1973 Pontiac Trans Am SD-455 featured a co*ke-bottle exterior design popular on performance cars of the era. The only difference with the Trans Am SD-455 was its swoopy, curvier, and stronger engine internals, with the ‘73 version featuring a 744 grind cam.
In case you are able to find the 1973 Pontiac Trans Am SD-455 hiding in a barn – sourcing its unique parts could be a struggle, if not expensive. This old bird is such a rarity because the manufacturer discontinued it too early. The SD-455 trim is the rarest of all.
Aston Martin Lagonda (1974-1990)
Let’s face it. The Aston Martin Lagonda gives off DMC DeLorean vibes. It only needs the winged doors to be an almost perfect match. Forget its futuristic design. The Lagonda was way ahead of its time and featured unique features and gizmos unheard of at the time (digital instrumentation, hi-fi, and even a co*cktail cabinet).
The Aston Martin Lagonda was clearly an experimentation project. It can cost an arm and a leg to restore (thanks to its one-off parts). Still, it’s worth a pretty penny sitting restored in your garage.
Toyota MR2 (1st Generation)
When Toyota unveiled the FT-Se Concept in 2023, it brought back 80s JDM sports car nostalgia, giving off MR2 vibes. We are still hopeful that the industry rumors that the MR2 will be back in showrooms in 2026 are true. That said, a first-generation MR2 produced between 1983 and 1989 might seem like just another JDM classic that gets brutalized at the local strip. It’s not. It’s one of the most refined classics from the land of the rising sun that packs a hefty turbocharged engine. A decent unit will cost you brand-new Camry money. Restoring it is hectic thanks to its uniquely placed waterline and tiny frame.
Porsche 911 (1st, 2nd, and 3rd Gen)
Owning a Porsche 911 is the epitome of success among performance car enthusiasts. You’ll hardly get a thumbs down at your local car meet. Even the entry-level 718 Cayman still gets a lot of love. The 1st, 2nd, and even 3rd generation 911 are fairly easy to find – thanks to the cultic following they enjoy.
But they are not cheap or easy to maintain, and if you land on a deal that’s too good, prepare for an overhaul of your savings. Here’s the truth. Owning a Porsche 911 is great.
They hardly drop in value – but watch out for the lemons. Restoring badly maintained versions could ruin your perception of these lovely, timeless German performance cars.
Shelby Cobra
The Shelby Cobra will go down in history as one of the most spectacular automotive builds of all time. It’s the love child of American brute V8 power and British design and styling. And let’s not forget the legend after whom this iconic vintage racer was named. This classic racer, in decent condition, currently costs over $1 million. That only means one thing. Restoration costs a fortune. Some replacement parts are known to cost up to $10,000.
1995 McLaren F1
If there was a list of the most expensive cars to own – the McLaren F1 would be somewhere at the top of that list. A unit owned by F1 Star Sir Lewis Hamilton was sold in 2017 for a record $15.6 million. Car enthusiasts with experience owning the car have quoted ridiculous maintenance costs, with a tire change service costing as much as a 2024 Volkswagen ID.7 ($50,000). That said. Only the super-rich can afford to restore or own the McLaren F1.
