The sports car world 45 years ago
07/31/2020
The year is 1974, people in Germany are still paying in DM and there are still sports cars that cost less than DM 10,000 (the equivalent of around EUR 5,000 from 2000). The range includes many cars that many enthusiasts will be licking their chops for 45 years later.
Want some examples? The Triumph Spitfire 1300 is available for DM 9990, an Alfa Romeo Spider 1300 costs DM 14,490 and for the VW Scirocco TS with 85 hp you have to invest DM 11,745. A Fiat X 1/9 can be bought for DM 11,950, an MGB for DM 12,990 and even the exotic Matra-Simca Bagheera costs just DM 14,698.
Of course, you can also go a little more expensive, for example with a Morgan Plus 8 for DM 21,190 or a Ford Capri 3000 GT for DM 14,330. A TVR 3000 M costs DM 22,500, an Alpine-Renault A310 1600 DM 29,950.
And if you want something really exclusive, then the Maserati Merak for DM 49,145, the De Tomaso Pantera GTS for DM 49,200 or a Porsche 911 S for DM 32,950 will tempt you.
The upper end of the range is reached at DM 97,000, for which you can buy a Ferrari 365 GT/4 BB with 380 hp. Significantly cheaper, but much more valuable 45 years later, would be the Porsche Carrera RS 3.0 with 230 hp, which sold for DM 64,980. For the Lamborghini Countach LP400, only an approximate price of DM 100,000 is given.
The selection is both clear and diverse. There are convertibles and coupés, engines with four to twelve cylinders, front, mid and rear engines and many manufacturers who will pass away over the coming decades.
Yes, those were the days, as you can read in issue 15/1974 of auto motor und sport from page 56 ( in our magazine archive).
