Million-Dollar Classics by Martin Derrick and Simon Clay (Chartwell Books, 192 pages) $14.99 Beauty may be in the eye of the beholder but price is determined by what people are willing to pay. When it comes to those unique and rare items the value can suddenly skyrocket.
In the world of collectable automobiles there are plenty that have exceeded the one million dollar mark, some several times over. Fifty of these incredibly valuable machines are presented in this collection.
Starting with the 1884 De Dion Bouton et Trepardoux Dos-a-Dos, which is believed to have won the world's first motor race in 1887, there are many historically significant cars. The 1937 Bugatti Type 57S represents the find of the century when in 2007 it was discovered in a garage where Lord Howe had locked it away in 1955. The Bugatti was sold in 2009 for more than three million dollars.
Every car is described in detail, chronicling its history, current status and value. They are all beautifully photographed, each one shown in a series of images.
From the simple engines of the earliest models to the incredible power of the 1996 McLaren F1, these stunning examples of the best designs of their era speak passionately to those who can afford them and give the rest of us something to dream about.
