The FIA sports prototypes were some of the most exciting purpose-built racing cars ever designed. They competed under the regulations set forth by the FIA (Federation International Automobile) in the International Championship of Makes from 1964-1971, and the World Championship of Makes from 1972-1981. The regulations changed somewhat as the years passed, 5.0-liter engines then 3.0-liter engines, etc., but the concept remained the same. The idea was to allow manufacturers to design the most fascinating, technically advanced sports racing cars the world had seen, then have them compete in a World Championship, that included racing in the great endurance races such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the Nürburgring, Spa and Monza 1000km as well as the Targa Florio. Alfa Romeo, Alpine Renault, Ferrari, Ford, Lola, Matra and Porsche all designed very lightweight, successful sports prototypes to compete in the World Championship. From this activity came the Alfa Romeo Tipo 33/12, Ferrari 512M, Ford GT40, Matra 670 and Porsche 917. They were driven by the world’s best drivers at a time when Formula One drivers still enjoyed driving in sports car races. Today FIA sports prototypes qualify to race in many great historic events such as the Le Mans 24 Hour Classic, Classic Endurance Series and the Monterey Motorsports Reunion. Due to their technology, great designs, eligibility and low production numbers, FIA sports prototypes have steadily been increasing in value.
Make
Model
Level III
Level II
Level I
Alfa Romeo
Tipo 33/2
$800,000
$900,000
$1,000,000
Tipo 33/3
$900,000
$1,100,000
$1,200,000
Tipo 33 TT/3
$900,000
$1,100,000
$1,200,000
Tipo 33 TT SC12
$800,000
$900,000
$1,000,000
Ferrari
250 P/ 275 P
$10,000,000
$11,000,000
$12,000,000
330 P
$8,000,000
$9,000,000
$10,000,000
330 P2
$6,000,000
$6,500,000
$7,000,000
250 LM / 275 LM
$5,000,000
$6,000,000
$7,000,000
365 P2 – P3
$8,000,000
$9,000,000
$10,000,000
330 P3
$12,000,000
$13,000,000
$14,000,000
330 P4
$15,000,000
$16,000,000
$18,000,000
512 M/S
$4,000,000
$5,000,000
$6,000,000
312 P
$8,000,000
$9,000,000
$10,000,000
312 PB
$3,500,000
$4,000,000
$4,500,000
Ford
GT 40 Mk I
$2,000,000
$2,500,000
$3,500,000
GT 40 Mk II
$4,000,000
$5,000,000
$6,000,000
GT 40 Mk IV
$3,000,000
$4,000,000
$5,000,000
Gulf Mirage
M6/GR7
$1,000,000
$1,100,000
$1,200,000
Ligier
JS3
$900,000
$950,000
$1,000,000
Lola
Mk VI
$1,000,000
$1,150,000
$1,200,000
T70 Mk III
$450,000
$500,000
$600,000
T70 Mk IIIB GT
$800,000
$900,000
$1,000,000
T280
$900,000
$1,000,000
$1,100,000
T282, 284, 286
$700,000
$850,000
$1,000,000
T600
$200,000
$250,000
$300,000
March
83G-85G GTP
$250,000
$325,000
$375,000
Matra
MS 630/650
$2,000,000
$2,500,000
$3,000,000
MS 670/670B
$3,000,000
$3,500,000
$4,000,000
Porsche
906
$700,000
$850,000
$1,000,000
910
$900,000
$1,000,000
$1,200,000
907
$1,100,000
$1,200,000
$1,350,000
908K
$1,600,000
$1,700,000
$1,850,000
908 LT Coupe
$1,600,000
$1,700,000
$1,850,000
908/02
$1,400,000
$1,600,000
$1,700,000
908/02 LT Spyder
$1,700,000
$1,800,000
$1,900,000
908/03
$2,400,000
$2,600,000
$3,000,000
917K
$5,000,000
$6,000,000
$7,000,000
956
$700,000
$900,000
$1,100,000
962
$700,000
$1,000,000
$1,400,000
956-962 Rothmans
$2,000,000
$2,500,000
$3,000,000
Renault Alpine
A220
$400,000
$500,000
$600,000
A442
$3,000,000
$3,500,000
$4,000,000
Rondeau
M 379/M 382
$250,000
$300,000
$350,000
1969 Lola T70 Mark 3BGT
Photo: J R Schabowski
Eric Broadley’s Lola Cars of Rye, Huntingdon, England, had just won the inaugural 1966 Can-Am championship with the new monocoque T70 Mark 1 spider and was having success with its Mark 2 and Mark 3 spiders. In 1967, Lola homologated the T70 Mark 3 coupe for Group 4 competition in Europe, and entered the FIA World Championship of Makes to compete against the might of Porsche, Ferrari, Alfa Romeo and Ford. For the 1969 season, Eric Broadley developed the T70 Mark 3BGT coupe. It was evident to him that a redesign of the monocoque, would raise the torsional rigidity of the tub, get better suspension movement and lighten the entire car. The bodywork was stunning; the engine was a 302 cubic-inch Chevy V8 mated to a big Hewland LG600 5-speed gearbox. Just 16 of these SL-76 serial-numbered 3BGT cars were built. For the first part of the season it was the fastest car on the grid. A Penske-entered 3BGT won the Daytona 24 Hours and led the Sebring 12 Hours. Soon Porsche would enter its powerful 12-cylinder 917 FIA coupe, but many still think the T70 Mark 3BGT would have had a chance had there been enough funding for the effort. In the end, the T70 Mark 3BGT was one of the most competitive cars, the ultimate privateer entry against the factories. Mark 3BGT drivers of the ’69-’70 season included Jo Bonnier, Brian Redman, Mark Donohue, Frank Gardner, Paul Hawkins, David Hobbs and David Piper, to name a few. T70 team owners included Bonnier, Roger Penske, James Garner and Sid Taylor. Today the T70 Mark 3BGT is eligible for the Classic Endurance Series, the Le Mans Classic and the Monterey Motorsports Reunion among others. It is a rare car, exciting to drive and a sound investment.
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