These cars are expected to redefine their market in Monterey

Each year, Monterey’s Car Week auctions bring some of the world’s most desirable cars to market. Four of the ten most expensive cars sold publicly have done so in Monterey – including a Ferrari 250 GTO that sold in 2014 and a Ferrari 275 GTS/4 NART Spider that traded in 2013. But Monterey can also bring up-and-coming cars into the spotlight. Here are five cars we expect to achieve breakout results this year:

1982 Aston Martin V8 Vantage
Estimate: $450,000-$525,000
HPG Value: $101,000-$210,000
Aston Martin is well known for its luxurious GT cars, especially the DB4, DB5 and DB6 models. Less appreciated are those cars that came later, including the V-8 series that ran from 1969-89. These cars were a styling departure from their predecessors and gained two cylinders over their DB cousins. This particular example is a Series II V-8 in Vantage spec, which is essentially a British muscle car made long after America stopped building them.

Three V-8s have exceeded the $400,000 mark in public sales – most recently, a Series III this past January – but nearly all other sales have clustered around the $150,000-$200,000 range. These cars have been far too cheap compared to earlier Astons, but if interest in this freshly restored V8 Vantage reaches the presale estimate, expect that to change quickly.

1999 Lamborghini Diablo VT Roadster
Estimate: $325,000-$375,000
HPG Value: N/A
Diablo prices have been inching upward over the past four years, but not as fast as other Lamborghinis. Consider that they used to trade at parity with Countaches, until Countaches skyrocketed, and are now only worth a third. Most Diablos are just starting to hit the 20-year mark, though, and are being evaluated on their own terms rather than as aging supercars. This is a good sign for future gains.

This particular Diablo is one of at least six available at the 2016 Monterey auctions—as many as have been offered in Monterey over the last four years combined. Only two have traded publicly for more than the presale estimate, so a sale price within reach of this VT Roadster’s expectations will signal a new level of interest.

1970 Porsche 914/6
Estimate: $120,000-$30,000
HPG Value: $29,900-$74,000
The 914 model line has long been overlooked because of its “not quite a Porsche” stigma. Indeed, the 914 was built in collaboration with Volkswagen and branded as a joint effort in Europe. The 914/6 has been guilty by association in a lot of collectors’ minds, even though it is equipped with a 911 six-cylinder. People are catching on, though, and the car has increased in value by 25% over the past two years.

Mecum is offering a comprehensively restored 914/6 with the desirable five-speed transmission on Friday. If they come anywhere close to selling this car for its low estimate, it will be just the second time a stock, street 914 has exceeded six figures, announcing that these cars are no longer an affordable afterthought for Porsche collectors, but a desirable sports car in their own right.

2002 BMW M Coupe
Estimate: $70,000-$80,000
HPG Value: N/A
BMW’s M cars have been market stars over the past few years, led first by the M1, then the E30 M3, and finally the E28 M5. A few BMW E24 M6s have even reportedly sold above six figures privately. One of the most polarizing cars in the M lineup, however, has yet to hit its stride in the collector car market. BMW’s M coupe (known as the “clown shoe” or “Smurf hearse” in some circles) is more likely to be found on eBay than in Monterey.

The example Mecum is offering is advertised as one of just two cars built with the sunroof delete option and it has only 21,000 miles on the clock. Pristine examples with fewer miles can be found for less than $60,000 at respected dealerships but this is a rare configuration. A sale amount at this car’s low estimate would be a breakout price indeed.

1985 Lancia Delta S4 Stradale
Estimate: $475,000-$575,000
HPG Value: N/A
The Lancia Delta is world renowned for its rallying prowess, winning six World Rally Championships in a row in HF and Integrale forms between 1987 and 1992. The S4 Stradale is one of the most potent homologation specials of the line, and is an exotic, mid-engined, lightning quick powerhouse. Only 200 were made and none have sold publicly in North America, making them unknown to all but the most dedicated motorsports fans. Audi’s Sport Quattro has better recognition (and the price gains to prove it), but expect a bidding war over this one. A high sale price will hopefully put rally-ready Lancias on the American map and bring more to market.