Al Capone's bulletproof 1928 Cadillac

The 1928 Cadillac Town Sedan has only 1,111 miles on the odometer and a host of hardware. It features one-inch-thick bulletproof glass windows all around, and the side windows can even be cranked up to allow a two-inch gap at the bottom for gunmen to shoot a Thompson submachine gun. The back window opens as well to allow rear-firing. The car was outfitted with a police siren, flashing police lights, and a police radio hidden in the glove box. The car sold for $341,000 in 2014.

The green and black paint was similar to Chicago’s police cars. The infamous Caddy has lived a quiet, little used life, occupying museums.

The U.S. Treasury Department impounded Capone’s Caddy after he was arrested in 1931. When FDR went to Congress to ask for a declaration of a state of war on December 8, 1941, he rode in this Cadillac.

1970 Chevrolet Chevelle LS6 - $187k

Original matching numbers drivetrain validated on January 18, 2025. Listed in the LS6 Chevelle Registry, Certificate no. LS6-194. Rotisserie restoration completed in 2014. Original CRV code 454/450 HP LS6 engine. Original Muncie M22 4-speed transmission. Original 12 bolt, 3.31 ratio Positraction rear end. Rebuilt drivetrain and F41 suspension. SS wheels with Firestone F70-14 tires. Refinished in the original Cranberry Red over black. Highly detailed engine bay and undercarriage. Sitting atop the muscle car food chain in 1970 was Chevrolet’s SS Chevelle designated RPO Z15. Checking off this option delivered a 450 hp, 454 cubic inch solid lifter behemoth that cranked out 500 lbs.-ft. of torque and bludgeoned all challengers.

The 450 horsepower LS6 was the most powerful engine offered in 1970. The Cowl Induction system fed outside air to a 780 cfm Holley carburetor. The LS6 featured a beefy bottom end with four-bolt mains, forged steel crankshaft and connecting rods with forged aluminum, and 11.25:1 compression pistons.

Because of the LS6’s high (6500) redline, deep groove accessory drive pulleys were necessary. Thanks to new Federal emission standards, the LS6 was hobbled with the primitive Air Injection Reactor (A.I.R.) pump. That was the first to go when owners took delivery. Either the Muncie M22 “Rock Crusher” close ratio four-speed manual transmission or the three-speed M40 Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic were available with rear gear choices up to 4.33:1 rear gears and limited slip differential. Buying an LS6 Chevelle required the customer to purchase mandatory options, and it wasn’t cheap. The RPO Z15 SS 454 package was $503.45. The LS6 added $263.30 and either a M22 ($221.80) or M40 ($290.40) was required. The biggest bad dog meant an additional $988.55 to a base price of just over $2,800.

It’s agreed that Chevrolet produced 4,475 LS6 Chevelles, however there is no break down as to coupe, convertible and El Caminos in that total. A rotisserie, no expense spared nut and bolt restoration was completed in 2014. Virtually all major components were rebuilt. This top end example carried a too high estimate of $250k to $300k at Mecum.

1969 Mercury Cougar XR-7 Convertible - $88k

3,074 miles. Rotisserie restoration. 428/335 HP Cobra Jet V-8 engine. Automatic transmission. Power steering. Power front disc brakes. AM/FM stereo. Tilt steering column. Tachometer. Bucket seats and console. Power windows. Power convertible top. Hideaway headlights.

This bad boy made $88k against a $75k to $85k estimate at Mecum. Here.

Base engine for the Cougar was the 250 hp, 351 cid V-8, with an optional four-barrel carburetor and dual exhausts providing 40 hp more. A 320 hp, four-barrel 390 was also available. Top pussy cat was the Eliminator which could be had with a 335 hp, 428 CJ V8. With optional Super Cobra Jet ram-air intake it was good for about 400 bhp. The SCJ featured forged connecting rods and an oil cooler.

Bad Ferraris

Broadly speaking, no other car holds its value as well as a Ferrari. The Prancing Horse is revered. While most sports cars depreciate the moment they leave the lot, Ferraris tend to either hold their value or appreciate with time. These are the exceptions.

The Ferrari 348 is a mid-engined, rear-wheel-drive V8-powered 2-seat sports car produced from 1989 through 1995. The 348 was Ferrari's low point. The supercar was all bad. The 348 had all the standard Ferrari problems without anything praiseworthy. Extremely expensive maintenance, poor reliability and bad ergonomics, the 348 has it all.

The Ferrari 400I is an embarrassing faux pas swept under the rug. Everyone seems to forget the 400I existed, and for many good reasons. Produced between 1972 and 1979, the Ferrari 400I is boring to look at and slow. Perhaps worst of all, its dull.

The Ferrari Mondial is a mid-engined, V8-powered grand tourer produced between 1980 and 1993, with more than 6,000 built. Some Ferraris depreciate spectacularly. But the Mondial goes above and beyond all others. Overweight and under-powered, the Mondial gets outrun by virtually anything with wheels. It is the poor man's entry into Ferrari world and can be had for $25,000 in some cases.

1967 Lincoln Limousine - Elvis - $165k

The Elvis Presley family car. Documented with copy of the original title application in Elvis Presley's name. Presented to Elvis Presley as a wedding gift by his manager Colonel Tom Parker. Elvis Presley owned this car when he got married and his daughter was born. The whereabouts of the car had been unknown for decades. Part of the Petrozzini collection since the 1980s.

When Elvis Presley married Priscilla Beaulieu in May 1967, his manager, Colonel Tom Parker, gave the newlyweds this 1967 Lincoln Continental Executive Limousine by Lehmann-Peterson as a wedding gift.

Unlike most of Elvis' cars, this 1967 Lincoln Continental Limousine was largely forgotten over time. It was equipped with air conditioning, power steering, power brakes, power windows, a power antenna, a power front bench seat, an in-dash clock and a host of other luxurious amenities. A 462 CI V-8 with an automatic transmission powered the limousine.

The car made $165k in 2019 at Mecum.

2012 Lexus LFA - $850k high bid

68 miles. No. 270 of 500 produced. 1 of 38 produced in Absolutely Red. 4.8L DOHC V-10 engine. 552 HP and 354 lb-ft of torque. 6-speed automated sequential gearbox with paddle shifters. Rigid lightweight carbon fiber construction. Torsen-type limited slip differential. Brembo carbon ceramic disc brakes with Yellow calipers. Polished wheels, $2,500 option.

The 2012 Lexus LFA was a flagship supercar, featuring a screaming 4.8-liter V10 engine delivering 552 horsepower, a carbon fiber body, and a six-speed automated manual transmission. Production was capped at 500 units.0-60 mph comes in 3.6 seconds onto a top speed of 202 mph. Of total production, 64 were the highly desirable Nürburgring edition.

Base price in 2012 was $375,000. This example failed to change hands at Mecum

1963 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spyder - $17,875,000

Chassis no. 4137GT. The Last Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spyder built. Ferrari Classiche Certification. 1 of 55 produced from 1960-1963. The Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder was introduced as the 250 Gran Turismo Spyder California or 250 California. It was designed by Sergio Scaglietti as a convertible version of the contemporary Berlinetta. The 250 GT California Spyder was created to appeal to American consumers, and that it did. The prototype was introduced in 1957, and series production commenced in the second quarter of 1958. The long-wheelbase (LWB) California Spyder was built through 1960 with a total of 45 cars.

All Ferraris are exceptional automobiles. But even among Ferraris there is a hierarchy that places some ahead of others. The 250GT California Spyder is one of them. This is one of the most desirable of all Ferraris, and by extension the most desirable and valuable automobliles on earth. The icon changed hands at Mecum Kissimmee 2024. Here

1995 McLaren F1

The McLaren F1 is the ultimate street car of the 20th century. When it appeared, the F1 was the fasted production car in the world at 240.1 mph, a record it held for a decade. The F1’s body, a monocoque hull made wholly of carbon fiber, was a first. Layout is rear mid-engine, rear-wheel drive, dihedral doors, with a center driving seat. A 6.1 Liter BMW S70/2 V12 produces 618 hp and 479 ft-lbs of torque through a 6-speed manual. A total of one prototype and 68 production F1 McLarens were built from 1993 to 1998. They are among the most collectible and expensive cars in the world. Cars change hands quietly amongst a niche group of owners for millions. With only 1,291 kilometers (802 miles) on the odometer, this McLaren F1 (chassis no. 053) is one of only two finished in Marlboro White. It is one of the lowest-mileage and most original examples in the world.

A racing variant, the McLaren F1 GTR was produced in 1995 for racing. The GTR was fitted with the same engine, but with modifications to satisfy racing regulations. In its debut, 5 McLaren F1 GTRs competed in the 1995 24 Hours of Le Mans, bringing victories in both class and overall.

Thanks to their immense reputation, the McLaren F1 is one of the best investment supercars. In 2010 Chassis No. 062 sold above high estimate for $3,575,000. It had less than 3,500 miles. In 2014 Chassis No. 031 was offered for sale at Pebble Beach. Estimate for the 1,004-mile example was $12m to $14m. Here. A 1995 McLaren F1 Chassis No. 29 with just 243 miles on its odometer sold for a record-breaking $20.465 million at Pebble Beach Auction in 2021, obliterating its $15m high estimate. Here.

2024 Porsche 911 GT3 RS - $350k high bid

1,068 miles. 4.0L/518 HP flat 6-cylinder engine. 7-speed PDK transmission. White with Black leather and Race-Tex interior with Guards Red stitching. 20 and 21-inch lightweight forged wheels finished in satin Pyro Red. Front axle lift system. Extended range 23.7-gallon fuel tank. Porsche carbon ceramic brakes with Yellow calipers. Porsche Dynamic Lighting System with Black housings. Bose surround sound system. Why would you want a used Porsche that some dirty bum has already been in for over 1,068 miles? The 911 GT3 RS isn't just ANY Porsche, and world-wide production was capped at 1,963 units.

Without the Weissach package and assuming you had the suction to get one, the price started at $241,300.

If smitten, the corporate propaganda is available here. If you simply must have one, this example appears at Mecum.

1967 Shelby GT500 Fastback - $374k

Early in 1965, Shelby announced the Cobra II with a 427 cu. in. V-8 replacing the 289. By 1967 the GT 500 appeared, and except for a few subtle differences, its engine was the same as the one that propelled Shelby’s Fords to victory at Le Mans. In 1967, a total of 2,048 Shelby GT500 Fastbacks were produced.

Shelby no. 643. 1 of 47 produced with these color, trim and mechanical combinations. Multiple-time Concours award winner. Concours restoration completed in 2007. 428 CI Police Interceptor engine. Dual 4-barrel carburetors. Toploader 4-speed manual transmission. Power steering. Power brakes with front discs. Finished in Dark Blue with White striping.

Factory finished in Dark Blue Metallic paint with Wimbledon White Le Mans stripes and a Parchment interior. Shelby added the cast-aluminum medium-rise intake manifold from Ford's 427, twin 600-cfm Holley four-barrel carburetors, and other tweaks for a conservative rating of 355 bhp. The car crossed the block and made $374k in 2022 at Mecum.

The 1967 Shelby GT 500 got a reworked 428-cid 'Police Interceptor' which made far more than the touted 355 bhp.

Prices for top end collector cars has retreated from their highs. Hagerty suggests today that a top end example is trending around $275k.