The Ford Mustang V8 and the Buick Regal are “normal” cars from different eras. But it is only when automakers push their engineering envelope to extremes that we realize that even mainstream cars have a lot of hidden potential. The all-new Mustang GTD and the mighty Buick GNX are examples of the same. There are many such specimens of bread-and-butter cars being injected with so much adrenaline that their most extreme versions become insanely powerful; some even more powerful than the Porsches and Ferraris of the era.
This list includes ten such cars that are very exclusive, too, and have dialed up the desirability quotient to the stratosphere, with six-figure asking prices the norm. This list includes cars from Ford, Lancia, BMW, Mercedes, and Subaru (to name some). Some cars on this list might ring a bell, but we bet that a few will catch you off guard.
This list is organized in order of rarity, from the highest to the lowest production count of highly sought-after cars. It is worth noting that some cars on this list are EU-spec but have found their way to America through used-car marketplaces.
Ford Mustang GTD (Regular – Ford Mustang V-8)
Total Production Count: 1,700 Examples
This is the wildest version of a street-legal Ford Mustang ever made. The Ford Mustang GTD has its roots in the “mundane” seventh-gen Mustang. But apart from a shared platform, the GTD is a whole different creature. It has been developed alongside the Mustang GT3 racecar, and hence has more in common with the track monster than the road-going Mustang V8.
The GTD gets a heavily modified widebody made out of carbon fiber. This drastically reduces its curb weight. Helping the car stay glued to the tarmac is an extensive list of active aero technologies, including a drag-reduction system derived from the Ford Performance race program.
Powering this beast of a muscle car is a beefed-up supercharged 5.2-liter V8 that produces up to 815 horsepower and is capable of doing top speeds of over 200 mph. It boasts a near 50:50 weight distribution thanks to a rear-mounted eight-speed transaxle. The suspension setup is hardcore and includes a pushrod setup, which has been gloriously showcased via a polycarbonate window at the rear. The Ford Mustang GTD has a starting price of approximately $325,000. For reference, the 2026 Ford Mustang Dark Horse (the most powerful standard Ford pony car) starts from $64,080.
Buick Regal GNX (Regular – Buick Regal)
Total Production Count: 547 Examples
The Buick GNX is one of the coolest American cars of the 1980s. It is the epitome of factory sleeper cars, because no one would expect a car that looks so “simple” to pack over 270 horsepower back in the day. The GNX is based on the standard Buick Regal and shares the G-body platform, which was also used on the likes of the Chevy Monte Carlo and the Pontiac Grand Prix of the time. The GNX is the ultimate evolution of the Regal, developed with McLaren’s help.
Powering the GNX is a modified turbo V6 that utilizes a Garrett turbo with a faster-responding ceramic impeller, a larger intercooler, and a specially programmed Turbo-HydraMatic 2004R transmission. To maintain its poise with the boosted performance, the GNX also received a unique suspension setup featuring a longitudinal torque ladder bar for the rear axle to reduce wheel hop and improve traction. When a new 1987 Buick GNX was priced at $29,290. For reference, a fully-loaded Regal Grand National was priced at $18,295. Today, the GNX is an easy six-figure car, with the most expensive specimen selling for over $250,000, according to Classic.com.
Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.5-16 Evolution II (Regular – Mercedes-Benz 190E W201)
Total Production Count: 502 Examples
Mercedes-Benz caused a shockwave in the executive sedan segment with the W201 190E. This Merc is famed for revolutionizing the advanced multi-link rear suspension, which translated into superior handling and comfort. But sprouting a track-ready homologation-special based on this humble compact sedan was not on the roster! The 190E 2.5-16 Evolution II was designed for the DTM racing series.
Compared to the standard and popular 190E, the Evolution II got an insane list of upgrades. The coolest feature of the EVO II is its Cosworth-developed 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that produces up to 232 horsepower with the optional AMG Power Pack. This mill also screams a grin-worthy 7,800 RPM. Aggressive aerodynamics in this boxy design can sound polarizing, but the EVO II sure is a head-turner with its distinctive large rear wing, flared fenders, and functional front splitter.
When new, the 190E 2.5-16 EVO II was priced from ~$70,000. For reference, the standard 190E started from $25,000 and, even when fully equipped, would be priced under $50,000. Today, the EVO II demands insane prices, with the most expensive specimen selling for $280,000 on Classic.com.
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Ford Sierra RS500 Cosworth (Regular – Ford Sierra)
Total Production Count: 500 Examples
The Ford Sierra RS500 Cosworth is the more extreme version of the already souped-up three-door Ford Sierra RS Cosworth. This, in turn, was based on the run-of-the-mill Ford Sierra. The RS500 Cosworth packs a 2.0-liter turbo engine capable of producing over 500 horsepower in the race trim. This “YBD” engine is an evolution of the standard Sierra RS Cosworth’s “YBB” motor, featuring a thicker-walled engine block, upgraded oil-cooled pistons, and a larger fuel pump. Aston Martin Tickford transformed all 500 units to satisfy Group A racing homologation requirements.
A distinctive feature that will instantly distinguish the RS500 Cosworth is its modified body kit, which includes a “whale tail” rear spoiler and a lower spoiler. The front bumper was redesigned to remove the fog lights and intake grilles, providing better airflow to the front brakes. The handling also gets souped up with a stiffer setup, including larger anti-roll bars and a limited-slip differential.
The interior also gets a sportier treatment with features like Recaro sport seats wrapped with “Roma” fabric. The dash also gets a turbo-boost gauge. Owing to its exclusivity, a new Ford Sierra RS500 Cosworth was priced at just over $26,000 when new, at today’s exchange rates. Compared to this, the standard Ford Sierra was priced well under ~$7,000. Today, courtesy of used marketplaces like Classic.com, a Ford Sierra RS500 Cosworth can easily sell for over $100,000.
Subaru Impreza 22B STi (Regular – GC8 Subaru Impreza WRX STi)
Total Production Count: 424 Examples
This is arguably the most sought-after Subaru ever made. The Subaru 22B STi is based on the first-gen Impreza WRX STI Type R coupe. It was launched in 1998 to celebrate the 40th anniversary and the third consecutive WRC title. Hence, it draws heavily on the rally car. The most notable aspect of the 22B STi is its wide body makeover. This homologation special is further beefed up with the famed EJ22G turbo engine, a 2.2-liter mill specially designed for this car.
This engine claims to produce ~276 horsepower and 268 pound-feet of torque. But it is often believed to be understated. Subaru has also given it a lot of WRC styling cues, including an aluminum hood with vents, larger intercooler scoops, and a composite front bumper design. When new, the 1998 Subaru Impreza 22B STi was priced close to $70,000. For reference, a standard ’98 Impreza WRX STi was priced around $20,000—$25,000 when new. Today, the 22B STi is an easy six-figure car, with the most expensive specimens selling for over $250,000, according to Classic.com.
Peugeot 205 T16 (Regular – Peugeot 205)
Total Production Count: 200 Examples
The Peugeot 205 is a humble three-door city car that barely has the juice to take on the highways. But this car is utilized as the basis for the wild Peugeot 205 T16. It is a homologation-specific design to meet Group B regulations. The T16 uses the basic steel monocoque shell of the standard 205, with remnants of its design cues. But that’s where the similarities end.
Wild features on the T16 include a rear spaceframe chassis, wide fenders, and a mid-mounted 1.8-liter turbo engine. This superhatch produces nearly 200 horsepower, which is coupled to a robust permanent AWD system that targets the famed Audi Quattro system. It also got an F1-grade suspension setup engineered for high-speed runs with the utmost stability, even on rough terrain. While it wasn’t available officially in America, this Peugeot was extremely expensive in France back in the day. In fact, it was priced similarly to a Ferrari 308 of the time, or about six times the price of a standard 204 GTi. Today, the 205 T16 sells for six figures, and the most expensive specimen sold for a whopping $368,000, as per Classic.com.
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Lancia Delta S4 Stradale (Regular – Lancia Delta)
Total Production Count: Less Than 100 Examples
Apart from the shape and certain design cues, there are no similarities between the standard Lancia Delta and the monstrous S4 Stradale. Lancia had modified its homologation to the extreme. Under the very similar shell lies a ground-up tubular spaceframe chassis designed to comply with Group B regulations. The 1.8-liter twin-charged four-cylinder is mid-mounted. This supercharged and turbocharged unit is capable of producing over 500 horsepower, but was detuned to just over 250 horsepower for road use. It gets a fully independent suspension and a three-differential AWD system to hold its ground during high-speed gravel runs.
Weight optimization and balance are highly regarded. So much so that its fuel tank is located under the seat. The body panels are made from lightweight fiberglass and Kevlar panels. This also makes the internals easy to access thanks to its clamshell bodywork. When new, the Lancia Delta S4 Stradale was priced equivalent to $60,000-$70,000, making it five times more expensive than the standard Lancia Delta HF Turbo of the time. In fact, it was more expensive than a new Ferrari 328 GTB. Today, this mighty Lancia has found its way to America, and the most expensive specimen, according to Classic.com, sold for $423,000.
Mercedes-Benz SL 73 AMG (Regular – Mercedes-Benz R129 SL 600)
Total Production Count: 85 Examples
The SL 73 AMG is based on the R129-gen Mercedes-Benz SL-Class. The AMG version was produced between 1998 and 2001 as a special order, modified version of the SL 600. Powering the spirited SL 73 AMG is a 7.3-liter V12 that has been upsized and is based on the 6.0-liter V12 from the 600 models. The 7.3-liter mill later on went to power the exotic Pagani Zonda as well. However, with around 85 units ever made, this Mercedes-Benz is rarer than the Zonda, which originally had 140 units.
Compared to the standard SL 600, the SL 73 AMG gets upgraded suspension, brakes, and even the cool-looking AMG Monoblock wheels. The N/A V12 produces up to 525 horsepower. When new, the SL 73 AMG started from over $160,000. The pricing was not far off from the SL 600, which starts from approximately $128,000. However, today, owing to the rarity of the SL 73 AMG, prices have shot up sharply. As per Classic.com, the most expensive specimen sold to date was for $610,000. Elsewhere, used specimens of the R129 SL 600 barely breach $100,000.
Chevrolet C3 Corvette ZR1 (Regular – Chevy C3 Corvette)
Total Production Count: 53 Examples
This is one of the most desirable American performance cars ever made. The C3 Corvette ZR1 is based on the standard C3 Corvette coupe/convertible. Its name comes from its use of the high-performance LT-1 350 cubic-inch small-block V8 engine. This was added to the Corvette as part of a special-order performance package (RPO ZR1) rather than being a separate model.
This bad boy from the 1970s produces 370 horsepower and sends the power to the rear wheels via a Muncie four-speed manual gearbox. Other special features included heavy-duty springs and shocks. These were coupled to larger front sway bars for superior handling. Furthermore, to help reduce weight, Chevy deleted non-essential features such as the radio, power steering, and even air conditioning. Visually, the ZR1 differed with a distinctive bulge on the hood to fit the bigger engine. Owing to its rarity, the most expensive C3 Corvette ZR1 ever sold, according to Classic.com, was a whopping $451,000.
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BMW M3 GTR E46 (Regular – Third-Gen BMW 3 Series E46)
Total Production Count: 10 Examples
The iconic M3 GTR E46 is based on the third-gen M3. If you are someone who is well-versed in Need For Speed games, then this car was used as the hero car for the ‘Most Wanted’ game. It was specifically developed as a homologation special for the 2001 American Le Mans Series. Built to make Porsches sweat, this Beamer packs a 4.0-liter V8 that produces 350-444 horsepower.
BMW utilized a lot of weight reduction methods to make the M3 GTR as nimble as possible. These include extensive use of carbon-fiber reinforced plastic for the roof, rear spoiler, hood, and front and rear fenders. It enjoyed race-derived aerodynamics thanks to a more aggressive and functional body kit. True to its racing genes, it features a dry-sump oiling system for better lubrication during extreme cornering.
Making things more engaging was its six-speed manual gearbox and a variable locking M-differential. This Bimmer is so rare that finding one for sale is difficult. The last recorded sale post on this model was at Young Timers Garage. But the pricing was on an appointment basis. Hence, we will never know the sale price of this unicorn BMW. But be assured, it would have cost a pretty penny.
Sources: RM Sotheby’s, Bring a Trailer, Classic