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There's nothing like rarity to boost a car's value, so let's take a look at 9 of the most interesting limited-run supercars on the market right now.
One of the biggest factors in the supercar market is rarity, and as much as a dealer loves phrases like “1 owner”, “Just 500 miles”, or “You won’t find another like this”, there’s nothing quite like a plaque that says “1 of xxx” to do all the talking for you.
For some limited cars, their scarcity has sent values through the roof, but some remain remarkably accessible. Today, we have a mix of those two situations, the only rules being that the car must be an enhanced version of a standard model, and it must be strictly limited. Let’s go shopping!
1,963 Produced
2013 | 6,834 Miles | £115,990
Nearly 2,000 units doesn’t sound unicorn rare, but this 50th Anniversary 991 is a more affordable way into the world of collectable Porsches, and was actually made in the same numbers as the 992 ST. The production number of 1,963 worldwide is in honour of the year of the 911’s inception, and the 50th Anniversary pays more homage to the 911’s history with a choice of two vintage colours, pepita seat fabric, Fuchs inspired wheels and some more classic touches.
Essentially, it’s a very well optioned Carrera S with the factory power kit, so it’s no GT3, but it is a very sweet driving car with a wonderful naturally-aspirated flat six. Fun fact, when my dad bought a regular 991.1 C2S back in 2013, one of these could be had for maybe £10k more. Thanks to the 50th Anniversary’s rarity, that gap would be more like £70k now.
1,250 Produced
2022 | 2,800 Miles | £275,995
You might think the ST is the rarest 992 model, but there are over 700 fewer Sport Classics. I feel the Sport Classic has been somewhat overshadowed by the ST, but with just 1,250 produced, it’s rare in Porsche terms, and it’s a driving experience you can’t get close to in any other 992 model. It’s like a more liveable GT2 recipe, with turbo power, rear-wheel drive, a manual gearbox, and really cool classic styling with that ducktail spoiler.
If you’re not scared of putting some miles on, this could be a tremendous touring car!
599 Produced
2011 | 3,078 Miles | £625,000
The 599 GTO is one of my favourite special Ferraris because it is an unashamed brute. It was the first car to introduce the wailing V12 exhaust note we’re now used to after the previous bark, I love the styling, and I love the single-clutch gearbox which feels more like a racing sequential at full tilt.
Despite just 599 being produced, there are quite a few up for grabs with our dealer partners right now. Why did I choose this one? Simple, it isn’t red!
500 Produced
2016 | 8,552 Miles | £329,995
I’m not sure many people realise the Aventador SV was striclty limited, but it was, with just 600 Coupes and 600 Roadsters worldwide. I don’t feel there is a more definitive supercar to look at, and in both appearance and nature, it is everything a Lamborghini should be, for better or worse.
Sure it’s punishing on your back and the gearbox could cause whiplash, but the noise of that V12, the way it looks, and the sheer theatre it generates for you behind the wheel and those watching you pass by is still unrivalled.
499 Produced
2015 | 10,437 Miles | £699,995
Whilst the 458 Speciale was not strictly limited, the Aperta (Italian for open) was, and the difference in values shows the effect rarity has on the market. There are 499 worldwide, of which just 49 came to the UK.
That does mean that they generally don’t see much use, but having spent a day in one a few years ago, I concluded a Speciale with no roof is one of the gear driving experiences, and if I could choose just one supercar, regardless of value, to have in my garage, it may well be one of these.
450 Produced (UK)
2011 | 11,500 Miles | £64,950
Ok, I’m cheating here, partially because I’ve had a soft spot for the 1M ever since it was new (my 21st birthday cake featured one!), and partially because I think you lot will love it as a cheeky, affordable option in this lot. The reason I’m cheating is because, whilst the plaque inside says “One of 450”, over 6,000 were produced worldwide, and that 450 is the number that were made for the UK market.
It’s a naughty car in both looks and behaviour, with fat flared arches and the stance of a compact bodybuilder carrying basketballs under his arms, and a short wheelbase combined with punchy turbocharged power making for a snappy little bugger when provoked. The 1M was manual only, with no fake noise and no beaver grilles — BMW at its finest.
333 Produced
2011 | 3,100 Miles | £109,990
The R8 GT is rarer than I think anyone would guess, with just 333 units produced worldwide and only 33 of those coming to the UK. The GT turned the R8 V10’s Lamborghini-derived engine up to 11 with 552hp along with a near-100kg weight saving thanks to extensive use of carbon fibre.
Enhanced styling with canards and a fixed rear wing set the GT apart visually, and Alcantara bits including fixed bucket seats give the R8 GT a real “Superleggera” vibe — a very special car for the money and one of those “If you know, you know” cars.
250 Produced
2010 | 35,630 Miles | £134,995
Possibly the Lambo I would choose above all others because of its timeless styling and rear-wheel-drive layout, the Balboni is a real rarity with just 250 produced, and given those numbers, doesn’t it seem remarkably good value? From a similar era, 499 Ferrari 430 16Ms were produced (one was destined for this list until it sold), and they are typically around three times the price of this.
If you’re fine with the E-Gear gearbox, the change to rear-wheel drive freed up the Gallardo’s steering to do just one job, so you get better feel through the wheel and a more playful rear end. It was blessed with the name of Lamborghini’s legendary test driver as the car he always wanted the Gallardo to be, and that’s good enough for me.
29 Produced
2018 | 4,315 Miles | £175,000
The rarest of the list by some margin is a special version of one of my favourite driver’s cars, the Aston Martin V12 Vantage S. The AMR turned the V12 Vantage S into even more of a monster with 595hp and what feels like all the torque in the world with the option of an outrageous titanium exhaust to make it sound as angry as it drives.
100 were made worldwide, with just 29 Roadsters, 20 of which were UK right-hand-drive cars. Here, that V12 is paired with a seven-speed dogleg manual gearbox, and I can’t even imagine what it would be like nailing those shifts and hearing that exhaust note echo with the top down. Cheap? No. An almost irrepeatable piece of Aston history that is an absolute hoot to drive? Hell yes.
