New and old investments at Motorclassica 2015

If you thought house prices were going through the roof, there might be another way to make money fast.

Recent data shows that classic cars are outperforming real estate values.

A 1973 Ferrari that sold for $100,000 five years ago sold at auction in Sydney this June for $522,000 – an Australian record for the model – and others are trying to cash in on the boom.

A renewed interest in classic cars comes as the doors open for Melbourne's three-day Motorclassica event tonight.

Australia's largest and richest motor show, held at Melbourne's Royal Exhibition Building, will feature 500 cars in the main pavilion and on the lawns outside for the sixth consecutive year.

Motorclassica curator Trent Smith, who owns a classic 1972 Ferrari Dino 246 GTS, says foreign buyers are driving up local prices.

“Never in my wildest dreams did I think this car would rise in value this much,” says Smith, who now values ​​his car at over $500,000 after paying $150,000 for it eight years ago.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the original Ferrari Dino concept car.

“Since I bought it, there has been a lot of new wealth in emerging markets like China and people looking to indulge. Ferraris are so iconic and so rare that as demand increases, prices rise.”

Motorclassica event director Paul Mathers says the value of classic cars has skyrocketed over the past 10 years as collectors snap up rare models.

"A lot of people are expanding the types of cars they buy, and they're really following international auctions very closely," says Mathers.

While this year marks the 50th anniversary of the original Ferrari Dino concept car unveiled at the 1965 Paris Motor Show, the most expensive car on display at this year's Motorclassica is the McLaren F1, one of only 106 cars produced.

With a top speed of 372 km/h, it was the fastest road car in the world and unique because the driver sat in the middle of the three seats.

Comedian Rowan Atkinson sold his McLaren F1 road car for $15 million this June - despite crashing twice, once in 1998 and again in 2011 - after paying $1 million for it in 1997 year.

Meanwhile, proving that the prices of some super-luxury cars are indeed coming down, Mercedes-Benz should present its answer to Rolls-Royce, the new Maybach.

The previous Maybach limo from 10 years ago cost $970,000 and the new one costs half as much, although it's still an incredible $450,000.

But the half-price mega-Mercedes is expected to pay big dividends.

Mercedes says it plans to deliver 12 new Maybachs in Australia next year, up from 13 in the previous model's 10 years.

Motorclassica is open from Friday to Sunday. Admission is $35 for adults, $5 for children ages 15-20, $80 for families, and $30 for seniors.

Ferrari Dino: Five Fast Facts

1) Named after the son of Enzo Ferrari, who died in 1956.

2) The first Ferrari made on a moving production line.

3) Ferrari's first road production car without V8 or V12 engines.

4) The original brochure stated that the Dino was "almost a Ferrari" because it was co-developed with Fiat and was initially excluded from some Ferrari owners' clubs.

5) The Dino has since been welcomed by the Ferrari community.