Supercar depreciation kings

The second-generation Acura NSX was launched for the 2017 model year in the U.S. and discontinued after 2022. Sales never truly took off, and today low-mileage examples can be found well below their original MSRPs. Rock bottom when new was $156k USD. Value of a 2017 Acura NSX ranges today from $45,671 to $69,958, based on vehicle condition, mileage, and options.

Audi R8 V10. The original Audi R8 was a masterpiece. Its successor, launched in the US for the 2017 model year, was less so. Today the car can be had for a little over $100,000 – a steep discount on the original sticker of just over $160k.

Ferrari California. The arrival of the California for 2009 in the US made entry into Ferrari world easier, with a starting price just under $200k. Today, examples with fewer than 50,000 miles on the clock can be found for under $70k.

2012 Aston Martin V12 Vantage. Original MSRP was $183,585 but has since plummeted all the way down to $80k for a pristine example.

2015 McLaren 650s. The McLaren 650s was built with a 641 hp 3.8-liter twin-turbocharged V8 that makes 60 mph in 2.8 seconds. Its MSRP was $265,500. Top examples can be had for $100k less.

2003 Mercedes SLR McLaren. Its MSRP was a whooping $452,500, but has since dropped to $280k or less, representing the world's top depreciating supercar.

1967-69 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray L88

The L88 was a factory racing option package. The 1967 L88 Corvette was powered by a modified version of Chevy’s 427 V-8. 435hp was claimed, with real output between 540 and 580hp. Four out of the five most expensive Corvettes at auction are L88s. The L88 package was more than just the potent race engine. It included choice of the manual Muncie M22 Rock Crusher or M20 Hydramatic transmission.

Also included were power assisted heavy duty disc brakes, and the F41 heavy duty suspension.

The L88 stayed in production until 1969 with a total of 216 produced. Values of 1967–69 L88s have grown exponentially over the past decade.

The rarest Stingray 427 example from 1967. There were only 20 original factory units produced with half of these convertibles. It sold in 2014 for $3.9m.

1969 Chevrolet Yenko Nova - $380k

Dennis Michalo purchased his 1969 Yenko Nova L78 396 new on April 4, 1969. Of 38 cars intended for conversion to L-72 427 iterations, only about half were converted. Produced only in 1969, less than ten are known to exist today. His forgotten Yenko Nova is a rare machine.

This example was parked in 1978.

Copo deemed the Nova too much of a compact car for the power generated. Yenko ordered stripped-down SS396 L78 Novas in Lemans Blue, Garnet Red, Rallye Green, and Fathom Green. Yenko then offered the L72 427 short-block replacement. This Yenko Nova didn’t move again until 2018.

As a collectible, the Yenko Nova is in a league of its own. These cars usually only circulate inside the inner circle of serious collectors. The last time a Yenko Nova changed hands at auction in 2015 it made $380k. Frame-off restoration. 427/450 HP engine. 4-speed transmission. 4.10 Positraction rear end. Power brakes. Lemans Blue with White Yenko stripes. Black bench seat interior. AM radio. Body-colored steel wheels. Dog dish hubcaps.

A fully restored 1969 Chevrolet Yenko Nova recently made $852k. Here.

1956 Mercedes 300 SL Gullwing - $5.27m

The German sports car set a new world record for Mercedes-Benz 300 SL W198-code, surpassing the previous $3.41m set by another 1956-model-year example in 2024. It's also the first of its kind to exceed the $5m barrier. What's up with this 1956 300 SL? It's the world's most original example left. Driven for 34,255 km (21,285 miles) and carefully maintained for seven decades, the Gullwing still wears much of its original dark gray paint.

All 300 SL Gullwings were equipped with M198 3.0-liter straight-six engines and four-speed manual transmissions.

The first production car to feature a four-stroke engine with fuel injection, the Gullwing came with 240hp on tap.

1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Alloy Gullwing - $6.8m

A rare 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Alloy Gullwing sold for $6.8m at RM Sotheby’s Scottsdale auction in 2020. It set a new record for the iconic model. A 1955 Alloy Gullwing that sold for $4.2m at Gooding & Company’s Scottsdale auction in 2012 falls to 2nd place. Chassis number 5500332 is one of only 24 aluminum Gullwings built. It is one of a handful to retain its original, numbers-matching 3.0-liter NSL inline-6 engine, high-speed 3.42 rear axle, front spindles and Rudge wheels, as well as the authentic alloy body and factory-correct livery.

The M186 Engine was a 3.0 litre single overhead camshaft inline 6, developed in the early 1950s to power the company's new flagship 300 "Adenauer" (W186) four-door saloon. It made its debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in April 1951. Various versions of the engine (M186 – M199) produced from 115–240 bhp.

1962 Pontiac Catalina Super Duty

The 1962 Pontiac Catalina Super Duty is a rare, factory-built drag racer featuring a 421 cubic inch (6.9L) V8, producing an underrated 405 horsepower (465+ hp actual) via dual-quad carburetors. With only 162–179 units produced, it utilized lightweight aluminum parts (hood, fenders, bumper) and a 4-speed manual to dominate early 1960s drag racing.

The 421 cu in Super Duty V8 featured forged internals, high-performance heads, and either dual-four-barrel carbs or a NASCAR-spec single four-barrel. To reduce weight, these models, known as "Lightweights," featured aluminum front fenders, bumpers, hood, and radiator support, shedding roughly 200 lbs compared to standard models.

Odometer reads 21,616 miles. No. 103 of 162 produced. Original sheet metal. Factory aluminum package including hood, front and rear bumpers, brackets, inner and outer fenders. Original matching numbers 421/405 HP V-8 engine. Original dual Carter 500 CFM 4-barrel carburetors. Aluminum intake. Forged aluminum pistons. Forged steel rods and crankshaft. Solid lifters. Cast iron headers. 2 1/4 inch cast aluminum exhaust. Factory T10 wide ratio 4-speed manual transmission. Factory 4.30 Saf-T-Track rear end. Saginaw manual steering. Hydraulic manual drum brakes.

Hagerty suggests a #1 Concours condition 1962 Pontiac Catalina Super Duty is trending around $131k. Rare and highly desirable, this example appears at Mecum.

1970 Chevrolet Chevelle LS6 Convertible

Factory LS6 convertible. LS6 454/450 HP V-8 engine. Packed with performance components, the LS6 generated 450hp. The Chevelle SS 454 LS6 was America's most potent production car. M40 Turbo Hydra-Matic 400 automatic transmission. 4.10 rear end. Cowl Induction hood. Cranberry Red paint with Black stripes. Black convertible top. White bucket seat interior.

The 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS454 LS6 is firmly established as one of the most iconic and desirable machines of the classic muscle car era. There were 4,475 cars built with the LS6 454 in 1970, but how many were coupes, convertibles or El Caminos remains unknown. About 500 El Camino were produced. Some suggest there were only several hundred convertible LS6 made.

This highly original example appears at Mecum.