Which Car Would You Pay To Go See?

At a fraction of the cost of owning a high-dollar classic car, visiting races, shows, events, and museums is a great way to indulge your passions without making too much of a dent on your wallet. I will often go somewhere to see a single machine that interests me—and whatever else I see is a bonus.

As in: it’s worth it to visit the Porsche Museum, if the only car you’ll look at is Porsche No. 1. The Simeone Museum, for the first Shelby Daytona Coupe. The Collier Collection at the Revs Institute, for the Targa Florio-winning Porsche 718 RS60. If you’re in Los Angeles, the first BMW Art Car, painted by Alexander Calder, is in town—and depending on how fond you are of that car, the rest of the Petersen Museum may just be a bonus.

Events like historic racing festivals are often even better, especially if you’re able to get a bit closer to the action in the paddock or on-track, and the object of your affections will be worked out between practices, qualifying, and the race. But plan your travels and budget wisely: your partner may not be as accommodating for your love of Soviet supersonic passenger aircraft as mine is.

Which vehicle, upon seeing firsthand, immediately made admission into a race, show, event, or museum visit totally worth it?

^{Image source: revsinstitute.org, Ted Gushue, sinsheim.technik-museum.de}