The 1990s were a golden age for European supercars. These weren’t just machines, they were bold expressions of performance, design, and mechanical purity. With no digital filters or electric gimmicks, they represented the last true era of analog performance. Now, these cars are commanding extraordinary values on the collector market. Here’s how their prices and performance compare from then to now.
The McLaren F1, launched in 1992, was built around a naturally aspirated 6.1L V12 producing 627 bhp. With a 0 to 60 mph time of just 3.2 seconds and a top speed over 240 mph, it was the fastest production car of its time. It cost around £595,000 new, which was astronomical back then. Today, values start a mind blowing £14 million and can reach an astronomical £28 million or more depending on mileage, history, and originality.
Ferrari’s F50 came next in 1995. With a 4.7L naturally aspirated V12 producing 513 bhp and a 0 to 60 time of 3.8 seconds, it offered a raw, open-top experience directly linked to Formula One technology. Originally priced around £387,000, values now range between a staggering £3.3 million and £5.5 million.
The Ferrari F40 remains one of the most iconic supercars ever made. Its 2.9L twin-turbocharged V8 developed 471 bhp, with 0 to 60 achieved in 4.1 seconds. Initially priced at £292,000 in the UK, they now command between £1.9 million and nearly £3 million depending on condition and originality.
Lamborghini’s Diablo entered the scene in 1990 with a 5.7L V12 producing 485 bhp and a 0 to 60 time of 4.5 seconds. Later variants like the Diablo VT and SV increased output and added AWD. Originally priced around £175,000, values today range from £160,000 for earlier models to over £500,000 for limited editions and late-model cars like the 6.0 SE.
The Bugatti EB110, built between 1991 and 1995, came with a quad-turbo 3.5L V12 producing 553 bhp in GT trim and 603 bhp in the lighter Super Sport version. 0 to 60 mph was achieved in just 3.3 seconds. Originally costing the equivalent of around £146,000 to £292,000, they now fetch £730,000 to over £2.2 million depending on variant and provenance.
These cars are more than fast. They represent a time when performance was achieved through engineering, not software. Scarcity, racing heritage, and timeless design have made them appreciating assets. For those lucky enough to have bought one new, their garages now hold not just legends, but some of the most valuable collector cars in the world.
