For years, the car collecting market has been a tale of two recoveries. Ferraris and other vintage European sports cars were soaring in price and demand. But American muscle cars—which saw irrational run-ups in the mid-2000s—were stalled.
Now, the muscle car market is back. The collectible car auctions in Scottsdale, Ariz., which ended Sunday, totaled $248.6 million, up from $225 million last year, according to Hagerty, a collectible car insurance company.
"I would say that we now have a full recovery in the muscle car segment," said Hagerty CEO McKeel Hagerty. "But I think it's a more rational market this time around."
1967 Chevrolet Corvette L88 CoupeSource: Barrett-Jackson
Of course, Ferraris still rule the price charts. Five of the top 10 sellers by price were Ferraris. The top two sellers by price were a 1958 Ferrari 250 GT California LWB Spyder, which sold for $8.8 million from RM Auctions, followed by a 1958 Ferrari 250 GT Cabriolet, which was sold by Gooding for $6.16 million.
(Read more: This rusted out Ferrari could fetch $2 million)
But coming in fourth place was an American favorite, a Corvette. A 1967 Chevrolet Corvette L88 Coupe was sold by Barrett-Jackson for $3.85 million, the most ever paid for a Corvette.
A second Corvette, a 1969 Rebel Convertible Race Car, also from Barrett-Jackson, sold for $2.86 million.
Hagerty said the L88 was like the "mythical fish" in the car world—very rare, highly prized and of outstanding quality. Corvette only made about 20 of the L88s, and even the most selective car collectors recognize it as an exceptional machine.
(Read more: Super-luxury car sales fell in 2013. Blame China)
Some other big American sellers include a 1963 Shelby Cooper Monaco King Cobra, which sold for $1.65 million, and a 1954 Plymouth Belmont Concept Car, which went for $1.32 million.
