Top 10 Sports Cars 1967 — Best Overall + Best Value

Direct Answer

Looking back, 1967 was one of the great vintage seasons for the pure sports car, and our Best Overall pick is the Jaguar E-Type Series 1 4.2, which delivered near-Ferrari pace and arguably the most beautiful body ever drawn for a sticker of about $5,580. Our Best Value of the year was the Datsun 2000 Roadster (Fairlady SR311), a 135-horsepower five-speed giant-killer that cost roughly $3,000 and embarrassed cars that cost far more.

The year was a hinge point: it was the final season of the Chevrolet Corvette C2 Sting Ray, and it ushered in two future legends, the Toyota 2000GT and the Fiat 124 Spider. What follows is a retrospective ranking of the ten cars that defined sports-car driving in 1967, judged on how they drove then and what they became.

How We Ranked the Top 10

This was a retrospective scoring exercise, blending period road-test impressions with what fifty-plus years of hindsight taught us about each car. We weighted the field like this:

• Driving fun and handling — 30%: how alive the car felt on a real road, the part that mattered most then and now.
• Performance — 20%: horsepower, 0-60, and top speed measured against period rivals.
• Value in period — 15%: what you got for your 1967 dollars at the showroom.
• Style and legacy — 15%: design that aged into icon status.
• Reliability — 10%: how often it actually ran in the era it was sold.
• Collectibility now — 10%: what the car commands today at Hagerty-tracked sales and RM Sotheby's, Gooding, and Bring a Trailer auctions.

Sources include period road tests from *Road & Track* and *Car and Driver*, the Hagerty Valuation Tools price guide, RM Sotheby's and Gooding auction records, Bring a Trailer results, and manufacturer archives.

1. Jaguar E-Type Series 1 4.2 🏆 BEST OVERALL

1967 MSRP: $5,580 | Best for: the buyer who wanted exotic style and pace without exotic upkeep.

Enzo Ferrari reportedly called the E-Type the most beautiful car ever made, and in 1967 it still looked like nothing else on the road. The 4.2-liter twin-cam straight-six made about 265 horsepower, pushed the car from 0-60 in roughly 7 seconds, and chased a genuine 150 mph top speed.

With independent rear suspension and four-wheel disc brakes, it handled and stopped far better than its price suggested, undercutting Ferrari and Aston Martin by thousands. A clean Series 1 4.2 today is a blue-chip classic, with the best examples valued near $130,000 and up in the Hagerty guide.

Pros:

• Sublime, era-defining styling that still stuns
• 265 horsepower and a real 150-mph top end
• Disc brakes and independent rear suspension at a bargain price
• Blue-chip collector status with strong values

Cons:

• Lucas electrics and cooling demanded a patient owner
• Cabin was cramped for tall drivers

Verdict: The most car for the money in 1967, and the clearest icon of the lot — a deserving Best Overall.

2. Ferrari 275 GTB/4 by Scaglietti

1967 MSRP: $14,500 | Best for: the well-heeled enthusiast chasing the ultimate front-engine Ferrari.

This was the apex of the field. The 275 GTB/4 carried a 3.3-liter quad-cam V12 making a claimed 300 horsepower, good for 0-60 in about 5.5 seconds and a 163 mph top speed, with a rear transaxle for balance and a Scaglietti body that remains a Pininfarina masterpiece. It cost nearly three times the E-Type when new, which keeps it off the top spot on value, but as a driving and collecting object it has few peers.

Standard cars now average around $3.25 million, and an alloy-bodied example sold for $6,050,000 in early 2026.

Pros:

• 300-horsepower quad-cam V12 with a glorious soundtrack
• Transaxle balance and genuine 163-mph capability
• One of the most valuable collector Ferraris in existence

Cons:

• Stratospheric purchase and maintenance cost, then and now
• Rarity makes any car a museum piece, not a daily driver

Verdict: The fastest, most exotic car here — held off the top only because almost nobody could afford it.

3. Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray 427 (C2)

1967 MSRP: $4,241 base, plus options | Best for: the American buyer who wanted brutal speed and good looks.

1967 was the swan song of the C2 Sting Ray, and it went out as the cleanest, best-resolved version of the breed. The legendary L71 427 with three two-barrel carburetors made 435 horsepower, slamming the car to 60 mph in about 5.1 seconds — supercar pace for the money. With independent rear suspension and four-wheel discs, the Corvette handled far better than its muscle-bound reputation implied.

Genuine L71 cars are now six-figure classics, and the rare L88 variant trades into the seven figures.

Pros:

• 435-horsepower 427 with shattering acceleration
• Final, most refined year of the iconic C2 body
• Independent rear suspension and four-wheel disc brakes
• Big-block cars are firmly blue-chip today

Cons:

• Big-block nose-heaviness blunted finesse versus the Europeans
• Interior trim quality lagged the price

Verdict: The best-driving and best-looking American sports car of 1967, and a fitting farewell to the C2.

4. Porsche 911S

1967 MSRP: $6,990 | Best for: the driver who valued precision and engineering over outright muscle.

The 911S was the sharp end of the early 911 range. Its 2.0-liter flat-six made 160 horsepower, reached 60 mph in about 8.3 seconds, and wore the now-iconic Fuchs alloy wheels. Numbers alone undersell it: the 911S rewarded a skilled hand with steering feel and balance that defined the sports car for decades to come.

Early short-wheelbase 911S cars are now prized, averaging around $190,000, with soft-window Targas climbing well past $400,000.

Pros:

• Jewel-like 160-horsepower flat-six
• Steering and balance that launched a dynasty
• First appearance of the famous Fuchs alloys

Cons:

• Early short-wheelbase chassis could bite at the limit
• Pricier than many faster rivals

Verdict: The driver's choice of 1967 and the foundation of the entire 911 legend.

5. Toyota 2000GT

1967 MSRP: $7,150 | Best for: the connoisseur who wanted the rarest, most exotic newcomer.

The 2000GT was Japan's announcement that it could build a world-class GT, and in 1967 it cost more than an E-Type, a 911, or a Corvette. Its Yamaha-developed 2.0-liter twin-cam six made 150 horsepower, reached 60 mph in about 10 seconds, and topped 130 mph, all wrapped in a sensuous body and a beautifully finished cabin.

Only 351 were built through 1970, and just a sliver came to the United States. That rarity made it the first Japanese car to break $2 million at auction; a Solar Red example brought $1,150,000 on Bring a Trailer.

Pros:

• Exquisite Yamaha-built twin-cam six
• Stunning rarity — only 351 ever built
• First Japanese car past $2 million at auction

Cons:

• Modest 150 horsepower for its lofty price
• Almost unobtainable today

Verdict: The most collectible debut of 1967 — held back only by its real-world pace and scarcity.

6. Datsun 2000 Roadster (Fairlady SR311) 💎 BEST VALUE

1967 MSRP: $3,000 | Best for: the budget enthusiast who wanted to embarrass expensive cars.

Arriving mid-1967, the Datsun 2000 was the bargain hero of the year. Its 2.0-liter SOHC four made 135 horsepower through a slick five-speed gearbox — rare at this price — and could outrun MGs and Triumphs that cost about the same. It was quick, tossable, and reliable, qualities that made it a genuine giant-killer at autocrosses and on back roads.

Values have climbed steadily as collectors recognized its significance, yet it remains one of the most attainable interesting roadsters of the era.

Pros:

• 135 horsepower and a five-speed for roughly $3,000
• Outran pricier British rivals straight off the showroom floor
• Reliable, tunable, and genuinely fun to drive
• Still attainable for collectors on a budget

Cons:

• Build and trim felt plain next to European rivals
• Less name recognition than the British brands it beat

Verdict: The most performance per dollar in 1967 — our clear Best Value.

7. Alfa Romeo Duetto Spider 1600

1967 MSRP: $3,955 | Best for: the romantic who wanted Italian style and a singing twin-cam.

The boat-tail Duetto was pure Italian charm. Its 1.6-liter all-alloy twin-cam four made about 109 horsepower, reached 60 mph in roughly 11 seconds, and revved to a sweet 116 mph. It was never the quickest car here, but it offered a five-speed gearbox, disc brakes, and a chassis that loved a winding road, all wrapped in a Pininfarina body that gained fame in *The Graduate*.

Clean early Duettos remain beloved and reasonably valued, a reliable entry into Italian classic ownership.

Pros:

• Alloy twin-cam four that loves to rev
• Five-speed gearbox and disc brakes as standard
• Timeless Pininfarina styling with film fame

Cons:

• Only 109 horsepower made it the slow car of the bunch
• Rust was a lifelong enemy

Verdict: Not the fastest, but one of the most charming and rewarding drives of 1967.

8. Lotus Elan S3

1967 MSRP: $4,550 | Best for: the purist who valued handling above all else.

Colin Chapman's Elan weighed only about 1,420 pounds, and that featherweight ethos made it one of the finest-handling cars of any era. Its Lotus-Ford 1.6-liter twin-cam made 105 horsepower, plenty to scoot the tiny roadster to 60 mph in about 7 seconds. With a backbone chassis and fully independent suspension, the Elan set a handling benchmark that engineers still cite.

It was fragile and finicky, but no car here was more joyful through a corner. Good examples are steady, sought-after classics today.

Pros:

• Around 1,420 pounds — handling magic
• 105-horsepower twin-cam and a sub-7-second 0-60
• A benchmark chassis still praised decades later

Cons:

• Fragile fiberglass body and fiddly electrics
• Cramped and spartan inside

Verdict: The handling champion of 1967, and proof that lightness beats brute force.

9. Austin-Healey 3000 Mk III

1967 MSRP: $3,570 | Best for: the buyer who wanted big-bore British muscle and rally heritage.

The "Big Healey" was in its final, most developed form by 1967. Its 2.9-liter straight-six made 150 horsepower, giving the brawny roadster real grunt and a glorious exhaust note. It was a rugged rally veteran with genuine touring ability, a roll-up-window cabin, and old-school charm.

The trade-off was a hot cockpit and a low-slung body that scraped on rough roads. Today the Mk III is a strong, well-loved classic with broad collector support.

Pros:

• 150-horsepower 2.9-liter straight-six with real shove
• Genuine rally heritage and rugged build
• Civilized roll-up-window touring cabin

Cons:

• Hot, cramped footwells and low ground clearance
• Heavier and less nimble than the lightweights here

Verdict: The last and best of the Big Healeys — muscular, charismatic, and deeply collectible.

10. MG MGB

1967 MSRP: $2,615 | Best for: the first-time sports-car buyer who wanted affordable, dependable fun.

No 1967 sports car put more people behind the wheel than the MGB. Its 1.8-liter four made 98 horsepower, modest on paper, but the car's light weight, easy handling, and bulletproof simplicity made it endlessly enjoyable and easy to live with. It was the most affordable real sports car of the year, and a vast parts and club network means it remains one of the cheapest and easiest classics to own.

Values are gentle, making it the friendliest entry point into vintage sports-car life.

Pros:

• The most affordable real sports car of 1967
• Simple, dependable, and easy to maintain
• Huge parts and club support to this day

Cons:

• Only 98 horsepower left it the slowest of the group
• Build was basic next to pricier rivals

Verdict: The everyman's sports car — the one that taught a generation to love driving.

Buyer Decision Tree — Which One Was Right for You?

What to Look For in a 1967 Sports Car (Then and as a Classic Now)

• Provenance and documentation: original engine numbers, build records, and ownership history drive value enormously, especially on the Corvette L71, the E-Type, and the 275 GTB/4. Matching-numbers cars command large premiums.
• Rust: the great destroyer of these cars. British roadsters, the Alfa Duetto, and the Datsun all rot at the sills, floors, and rear arches. The Lotus Elan's fiberglass body hides chassis corrosion in its steel backbone.
• Originality versus restoration: a tasteful, correct restoration is fine, but heavily modified or non-original cars sell for far less. Period-correct interiors, paint, and drivetrains matter.
• Mechanical health: check for overheating on the Jaguar and Ferrari, weak synchros on the British gearboxes, and worn flat-six top ends on the Porsche.
• A note that matters less than nostalgia implies: outright period horsepower mattered less to long-term joy and value than character, condition, and rarity. The 98-horsepower MGB and the slow Alfa Duetto are beloved today, while raw numbers alone never made a car a keeper.

FAQ

What was the best overall sports car of 1967? The Jaguar E-Type Series 1 4.2. It paired near-Ferrari performance — around 265 horsepower and 150 mph — with the most beautiful body of the era, all for thousands less than its exotic rivals.

Which 1967 sports car was the best value? The Datsun 2000 Roadster. For about $3,000 it gave you 135 horsepower and a five-speed gearbox, enough to outrun British roadsters that cost roughly the same.

Was 1967 really the last year of the Corvette C2 Sting Ray? Yes. 1967 was the final year of the second-generation Sting Ray, widely considered its most refined form, before the C3 arrived for 1968. The 435-horsepower L71 427 was the headline engine.

Which 1967 sports cars are the most valuable today? The Ferrari 275 GTB/4 leads by far, averaging around $3.25 million with alloy cars past $6 million. The Toyota 2000GT, blue-chip E-Types, and big-block Corvettes also trade into six and seven figures.

Why was the Toyota 2000GT so significant? It proved Japan could build a world-class grand tourer in 1967, debuting at a higher price than an E-Type or 911. With only 351 built, it became the first Japanese car to break $2 million at auction.

Which 1967 sports car is the easiest to own today? The MG MGB. It is the most affordable to buy, mechanically simple, and supported by an enormous parts and club network, making it the friendliest vintage sports car to live with.

Bottom Line

1967 was a high-water mark for the sports car, a year when American big-blocks, British roadsters, German precision, Italian art, and an audacious Japanese newcomer all shared the road. The Jaguar E-Type earned our Best Overall for delivering exotic looks and pace at a sane price, while the Datsun 2000 took Best Value by beating costlier cars for half their money.

From the seven-figure Ferrari 275 GTB/4 to the everyman MGB, every car here still rewards the driver and, in most cases, the collector. It was the final bow of the C2 Sting Ray and the dawn of the Toyota 2000GT and Fiat 124 Spider — a season worth remembering.

Sources

• Hagerty Valuation Tools — 1967 Toyota 2000GT, Jaguar E-Type, Porsche 911S, Corvette, Datsun 2000, MGB, Austin-Healey 3000, Lotus Elan, Triumph TR4A: https://www.hagerty.com/valuation-tools
• Hagerty Media, "A $2.5M sale is more than a record for the 2000GT": https://www.hagerty.com/media/car-profiles/a-2-5m-sale-is-more-than-a-record-for-the-2000gt-its-toyotas-revenge/
• RM Sotheby's — 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 by Scaglietti auction records: https://rmsothebys.com/auctions/mo23/lots/r0015-1967-ferrari-275-gtb4-by-scaglietti/
• Robb Report, "This Highly Original 1967 Ferrari Could Fetch $3.6 Million at Auction": https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/1967-ferrari-275-gtb4-rm-sothebys-auction-1237551396/
• CLASSIC.COM — 1967 Porsche 911S, Jaguar E-Type Series 1, and Ferrari 275 GTB/4 market data: https://www.classic.com/m/porsche/911/f-body/swb/911s/year-1967/
• CorvSport, "1967 Corvette Pricing, Factory Options, & Colors": https://www.corvsport.com/1967-corvette-options/
• Supercars.net, "1967 Toyota 2000GT": https://www.supercars.net/blog/1967-toyota-2000-gt/
• ConceptCarz — 1967 Austin-Healey 3000 Mk III and Alfa Romeo Duetto 1600 specifications: https://www.conceptcarz.com/s8197/austin-healey-3000-mk-iii.aspx
• ClassicCars.com Journal, "Pick of the Day: 1967 Lotus Elan S3": https://journal.classiccars.com/2016/05/18/pick-day-1967-lotus-elan-s3/
• Wikipedia — Chevrolet Corvette (C2) and Triumph TR4A: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevrolet_Corvette_(C2)

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