The classic car market is always full of surprises, but in the past decade some models have gone from attainable weekend toys to million-dollar collectibles almost overnight. Global demand, limited production runs, pop culture appearances, and a new generation of collectors with deeper pockets have all played their part. In Canada, where American muscle meets European elegance, prices have followed the same sky-high trajectory. These are twelve classic cars that have blasted off in value, leaving many enthusiasts wishing they had bought one ten years ago.
Ferrari F40
The Ferrari F40 was the last car personally signed off by Enzo Ferrari, and that fact alone has made it mythical. A decade ago, you could find examples hovering around $400,000 to $500,000. Today, prices regularly top $2 million, with the rarest, low-mileage cars selling for even more. The F40’s raw driving experience — no driver aids, a twin turbocharged V8 that spits fire, and styling straight out of a child’s poster dream — has made it irresistible to collectors. Canadian buyers have helped fuel the boom, with several F40s imported into private collections and kept as crown jewels.
Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7
With its famous ducktail spoiler and lightweight racing pedigree, the Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7 has become the holy grail for Porsche fans. Just ten years ago, they were changing hands at around $300,000. Today, they’re comfortably over $1 million, and concours-quality cars push beyond $1.5 million. In Canada, Porsche’s motorsport history resonates strongly, and wealthy collectors have been chasing down RS models as both an investment and a status symbol. Few cars capture the essence of pure Porsche like this one.
Toyota 2000GT
The Toyota 2000GT is proof that Japanese classics have finally earned their place at the top table. Only 351 were built, and ten years ago values sat under $500,000. Today, you’d be lucky to find one under $1.2 million. This stunning coupe, often compared to Ferraris of the same era, gained worldwide attention thanks to its role in the James Bond film You Only Live Twice. In Canada, where Japanese cars from the 70s and 80s have long had grassroots followings, the 2000GT has become the ultimate expression of that passion.
Lamborghini Miura
Often called the world’s first true supercar, the Lamborghini Miura redefined exotic cars when it debuted in the 1960s. With its mid-mounted V12 and impossibly low, curvaceous styling, it became an instant icon. Ten years ago, Miuras could still be found for under $700,000. Today, values exceed $2 million, with the rare SV models commanding even more. For Canadians who grew up idolizing Lamborghinis on posters, the Miura now represents a dream car that has moved far beyond reach.
Ford GT (2005–2006)
The reborn Ford GT of the mid 2000s was a tribute to the Le Mans-winning GT40, and it was a modern classic from day one. A decade ago, values had dipped into the $150,000 to $200,000 range, making it an incredible bargain in hindsight. Today, prices easily surpass $400,000, with rare Heritage Editions and ultra-low mileage examples fetching half a million or more. Canadian buyers snapped up many of these cars when new, and now they sit in climate-controlled garages as blue-chip investments.
BMW E30 M3
The BMW E30 M3 was once just a used performance coupe, beloved by enthusiasts but not highly valued by the market. Ten years ago, clean examples sold for $25,000 to $30,000. Now, they’re commanding $100,000 to $150,000, and rare Sport Evolution models are climbing even higher. Its DTM racing heritage and box-flared styling have made it a cult hero. In Canada, the E30 scene is strong, with many cars imported from Europe to meet demand after local prices shot through the roof.
Acura NSX (First Generation)
The original Acura NSX was undervalued for years, seen as a reliable alternative to Italian exotics. In the early 2010s, they could be bought for $40,000 to $50,000. Today, pristine early examples and rare Zanardi Editions often sell for $150,000 or more. Canadians, with their appreciation for Japanese engineering and reliability, helped fuel this surge as they realized the NSX represented the first Japanese supercar to take on Ferrari at its own game. Values have only one direction left to go.
Dodge Charger Daytona / Plymouth Superbird
The winged warriors of NASCAR were once quirky oddballs, parked in garages for under $100,000. Collectors often mocked their outrageous aero design. Fast forward ten years, and these cars are fetching between $400,000 and $700,000, with HEMI-powered versions smashing through the million-dollar barrier. In Canada, where American muscle cars have always been celebrated, these once misunderstood machines have become centerpiece collectibles, particularly at auctions in Alberta and Ontario where muscle car culture thrives.
Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing
The Mercedes 300SL Gullwing has always been a desirable car, but over the past decade, its values have gone from high to astronomical. Once available around $700,000, top-quality cars now routinely sell for $2 million or more. With its iconic doors, race-derived straight-six engine, and timeless elegance, the Gullwing is widely considered one of the most important cars in history. Canadian collectors with deep pockets have chased these cars at international auctions, often competing against buyers from Europe and the US.
Jaguar E-Type Series 1
Enzo Ferrari once called the Jaguar E-Type the most beautiful car ever made, and in recent years the market has caught up to that sentiment. A decade ago, Series 1 cars were trading hands for $80,000 to $100,000. Today, roadsters and coupes can command $300,000 or more, with restored examples fetching even higher. Canadian collectors, particularly in Ontario and British Columbia, have driven demand for these cars as they search for stylish European classics that remain usable on today’s roads.
Shelby Cobra 427
The Shelby Cobra 427 has always been rare and valuable, but prices over the last decade have gone into orbit. Ten years ago, they were already expensive, sitting between $700,000 and $900,000. Today, genuine Cobras are valued at $2 million or more, with provenance and history pushing some even higher. Even continuation models and replicas have surged, reflecting the Cobra’s unmatched mix of American muscle and British chassis engineering. In Canada, Shelby clubs continue to celebrate these icons, but for most enthusiasts, they’re now only attainable as posters.
Nissan Skyline GT-R (R34)
For years, the R34 Skyline GT-R was forbidden fruit in North America due to import laws. In Canada, which allows 15-year imports, the R34 hit the market earlier than in the US, and lucky Canadian buyers snapped them up for $40,000 to $50,000 in the early 2010s. Now, with global demand surging, clean examples command $200,000 to $300,000, and rare V-Spec models can go even higher. The GT-R’s star role in video games and movies like Fast and Furious only added fuel to the fire. Today, the R34 is the Japanese performance car that everyone wants but few can afford.
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