We know that it is possible to see an abandoned car by the side of the road or in a parking lot. However, is that okay? Certainly not, especially if it is a very rare and expensive car. Many people dreamed of driving an expensive and powerful car, but unfortunately, they didn’t have enough money to afford it. On the other hand, there are people who are wealthy and can buy rare and expensive supercars.
However, for various reasons, many such cars end up abandoned in a parking lot, in a barn or garage, completely covered in dust. One of the most famous places where you can find a lot of expensive forgotten cars is Dubai. The owners of these beasty machines probably broke some laws, so they had to leave the country, leaving behind the true gems of the automotive industry. It’s just sad for such powerful machines. However, we researched and decided to create the following list of the top 20 rare and expensive cars found abandoned and dusty. Well, if you’re ready, let’s get started.
1. Dodge Charger Daytona
The man who found this very rare machine was Charlie Lyons. Specifically, his story of how he came to Dodge Charger Daytona is very interesting. He wanted to buy a 1970 Chevy Chevelle in Glenwood, Alabama. However, when visiting one dealer, he found a very rare 1969 Dodge Charger Daytona.
Only 503 units have been made in the history, and Lyons was fortunate enough to become the owner of one that had been forgotten and covered in dust for decades. The man from whom he bought this machine has been the owner since 1974. Later, after the restoration, this 1969 Dodge Charger Daytona was auctioned for a whopping $90,000. Previously, the price was estimated at an even greater price of $180,000.
2. Ferrari Daytona
Ferrari 365GTB/4 or better known as Ferrari Daytona is one of the most iconic cars in the automotive industry. Only 5 units of this powerful car are manufactured with aluminum bodywork. Of those, four were designed and used for racing, while the one remaining Ferrari Daytona was the road version. This means that there was no same car in the world and this one was absolutely unique.
It was manufactured in 1969 and the first owner was Luciano Conti, a very close and good friend of the legendary Enzo Ferrari. After him, the car was bought by a Japanese collector named Makoto Takai. This is where the sad fate of this beastly machine begins. The car was completely forgotten for 40 years in a dust-covered garage. Only two years ago, in 2017, Daytona saw the light of day again. Later, it was auctioned at price of a whopping $1.8 million.
3. 1979 BMW M1
Have you ever heard of Harald Ertl? This man was a car racer but also a motorsport journalist. His name is forever recorded in motorsport history books as the man who managed to set a land-speed record. He then drove a 1979 BMW M1 he bought in 1981 with the aim of setting the record. After improving the bodywork and with the help of a 410-horsepower engine, Ertl was able to achieve his goal. Unfortunately, shortly after the world record, this Austrian died in a plane crash. You wonder what happened to the car? Well, the BMW M1 logically ended up in a garage somewhere in England, but was later found.
4. Lamborghini Diablo
Sometimes it really isn’t clear why the rich buy expensive cars that end up in a dusty garage, forgotten for years or even decades. One great example is this Lamborghini Diablo, which was found in a garage somewhere in London. This is really sad considering that one such fantastic performance car has been forgotten. The current auction price for this machine can reach over $600,000.
5. Ferrari F40
It’s just heartbreaking when you see any car standing outside, but not in the garage. The situation is even worse when it comes to some legendary and powerful machine like this Ferrari F40. Just imagine, there are only 1,300 cars in the world, and some dude left his own to simply rot. Of particular interest is that the car was manufactured from 1987 to 1992 and was then worth an incredible $400,000. Another thing that matters is that this model is the last to be personally approved by the legendary Enzo Ferrari. These days, the price for the F40 reaches a whopping $3 million.
6. Ferrari Enzo
Speaking of Enzo Ferrari, we were able to find one Ferrari Enzo, a model that was manufactured from 2002 to 2004. Of course, this one was left abandoned in Dubai because its owner probably escaped due to a problem with the law. However, the fact is that only 399 units of this legendary machine were manufactured, and one of them is this one.
7. Porsche 911 Carrera 3.0
From Dubai to America. More specifically, New Braunfels in Texas. This is where this extremely rare and beastly Porsche 911 Carrera 3.0 was found. There are only 3,687 units in the world, and production ran from 1976 to 1977. Currently, the price for the classic Carrera 3.0 is just over $50,000.
8. Ferrari 166mm Barchetta
Another special and extremely valuable car was left to rot because it was too expensive to maintain. According to some sources, the main reason why this Ferrari Barchetta ended up in Arizona is because the owner liked to race.
His friend had a Maserati that was budget-friendly to maintain. Fortunately, the history of this unit doesn’t end here because Barchetta was later sold to one collector. Interestingly, during the subsequent restoration, it was discovered that this particular car was once driven by the famous F1 driver Juan Manuel Fangio.
Read also: 2024 Ferrari SF90 Stradale – What Is Known About The New Mid-Engine Ferrari V-6 Hybrid?
9. Jaguar XJ220
Not only is the sad fate of the many Ferrari’s mentioned earlier, but also other rare cars are often abandoned. For example, one of these is the Jaguar XJ220, which was manufactured from 1992 to 1994. In a two-year period, Jaguar produced only 281 units. When it comes to this abandoned one, it was found with the mileage of only 900 km.
10. Nissan Skyline R34 GTR
When it comes to the Nissan Skyline GTR, this car has gained a lot of popularity thanks to the famous Fast & Furious movie franchise, especially in America. Before the famous movie, true fans of sports cars knew that the Skyline GTR was a blistering and beastly car with astonishing performance. Still, this owner in America apparently doesn’t know to appreciate it, so he left his one on the street covered in dust.
11. Lamborghini Aventador
You thought people leave only classic and old cars in the parking lots or garages. Well, not so, and this picture of abandoned Lamborghini Aventador from Dubai airport confirm that. It is indeed the sad fate of all such abandoned powerful machines.
12. Some Lamborghini
Honestly, we don’t know which this Lambo is, but it’s certainly a shame that it’s rotting somewhere on the streets of Dubai. This may be Gallardo or Murcielago, but we can’t say for sure.
13. Mercedes-AMG CLS 63
The prize question, what do you think, where this Mercedes-AMG CLS 63 is located? Did you say Dubai? If so, congratulations, you’re right. Honestly, where else could a fantastic car be left abandoned? More interesting is that the keys are in the ignition. Still, no one wants to have a problem with these cars since the owner is probably a law-breaker and a fugitive.
14. BMW M6
The sad story befell this BMW M6. Honestly, we don’t know if this is anywhere on the streets of Dubai, but certainly this is one powerful car. It can reach 62 mph in just 4.6 seconds, with a top speed of around 190 mph. Instead of driving, it’s now used for writing graffiti as canvas.
15. Porsche Cayman
Needless to say, but this is a shame. The Porsche Cayman, which was officially revealed in 2005, and which performs better than the legendary 911, has been left to rot. However, it seems to be caused by a traffic accident.
16. Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren
Is it possible that somewhere in the world there is a beastly machine like this one that arose from the collaboration of the Mercedes-Benz and McLaren and was left to rot? The answer is yes. This place is Czech Republic. This car was seized in police operation and has been parked there since 2011. An interesting fact is that a total of 2,157 units were produced.
17. Lamborghini Miura
Believe it or not, Miura came up as a model by accident. Namely, the engineers who created it weren’t actually engaged in the project because the project didn’t exist. Still, the car was made and immediately impressed Ferruccio Lamborghini. After that, the Miura became one of the most iconic Lamborghini models.
It is important to emphasize that only 764 units were produced. This one that has been forgotten, was later inherited. According to sources, the previous owner and cousin of the person who succeeded it, hadn’t driven car since 1988 due to problems with brakes. 27 years later, the car was found.
18. Honda NSX
This car doesn’t deserve to be left on the street, especially not next to the dumpster. Still, some owner thought this place was appropriate. Fortunately, the body is made of aluminum, so it won’t rust.
19. BMW M1
We mentioned earlier an M1 that ended up somewhere in a warehouse in England. This M1 was found somewhere in Italy and was covered with rubbish. So, two of the total 453 units were completely forgotten. This one was later restored by Mint Classics due to its value and rarity.
20. DMC DeLorean
DMC DeLorean was first and foremost popular because it appeared in the famous Back To The Future movie. A total of 8,583 units were produced between 1981 and 1983, and one of those cars was apparently left in some parking lot. Since we can notice the sand, we believe this one also belonged to someone from Dubai.
Nina Smith 
Kim Marks