THE GHIA L6.4 MARKET

For years nobody wanted Ghia L6.4s. US collectors saw them as overstuffed Dodges and preferred to pay the big money for rare muscle cars. In 1999 Kruse sold 0320 for $60k and then in 2002 it knocked down 0311 for just $50k. In 2009 RM struggled to get more than $117k for the Dean Martin car. Peter Lawford’s car 0302 – the second built and directly connected to Sinatra who had the first – was sold on ebay in 2010 for $100k. In the same year 0320 went back on the market with RM and sold at Amelia Island for $126,500.

This is when auction watchers saw the Ghia’s potential, noting a $60k rise in the 11 years between 0320’s two auction appearances. In 2012 Hyman Classic Cars of St Louis put the Dean Martin car on ebay at $199k and the press picked up the story; suddenly the Ghia L6.4 got its celebrity mojo back. Prices then really started to move. Hyman advertised 0313 for $379k and in 2015 RM created a new record, selling 0309 for $412k at its Arizona sale. Graham’s car – 0308 – was a relative bargain given the growing market interest and $297k for one of the six Barris cars now looks good value indeed.

The current highest price for an L6.4 is $577k sold by RM in Monterey in August 2016. Prices are likely to carry on rising and the Barris cars or those with Hollywood or Rat Pack connections will always command a hefty premium. And if 0301 – Sinatra’s car – ever comes to market, expect to write a cheque for upwards of $1m.