BARBIEMANIA: BARBIE’S 10 BEST CARS THROUGH THE YEARS – AND HOW MUCH THEY’D BE WORTH TODAY!
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She’s finally here, and she is the moment. Barbiemania is gripping the world, with Greta Gerwig’s new Barbie film debuting in cinemas around the world on Friday 21st July. The movie has created quite a stir, from causing an international shortage of the pink used throughout the film, to the viral, madcap interviews done by stars Margot Robbie (Barbie) and Ryan Gosling (Ken).
Since the first Barbie doll was released almost 65 years ago, she’s become the proud owner of a fleet of supercars – everything from Ferraris and Fiats to Porsches and VW Beetles. Here, the vehicle finance specialists at Anglo Scottish take a look at 10 of Barbie’s most iconic cars, and how much they’d be worth today!
Barbie through the years
First appearing to the world on March 9 1959, Barbie has had so many cars over the years that she could start a (very pink) dealership! Full name Barbara Millicent Roberts, Barbie was created by American businesswoman Ruth Handler, and named after her daughter.
Before Barbie’s coming out party, girls’ toys were largely limited to baby dolls, which promoted traditional values of motherhood – but Barbie dolls showed the women of tomorrow to dream bigger. She’s been to space, run for president, and pursued multiple careers in STEM.
And, over the years, she’s had a car collection that would put some of the world’s biggest petrolheads to shame. She’s had plenty of iconic wheels through the years, but which are the best and most popular?
Austin-Healey 3000 MKII
Barbie got her first car in 1962 – an Austin-Healey Roadster. Usually seen with a tasteful salmon pink paintjob, this lively convertible brought a bit of top-down fun to the US highways. Lauded in commercials for its “exquisite precision design,” it had room for Ken in the passenger seat and was even available as a novelty car-shaped alarm clock.
Mercedes-Benz 190SL
The second car in the Barbie garage kept the convertible aesthetic alive. The 190SL is one of the most iconic Mercedes ever made – the perfect for the most iconic doll ever. In today’s money, this would be the most expensive car in Barbie’s collection, and is sought after by motoring enthusiasts around the world.
Today’s estimated worth: £130,000
Star-Vette
In the ‘70s, the Barbie team felt she deserved an all-American muscle car to help really capture the American dream. Cue the Star-Vette – “the dream machine for Barbie doll and all her friends!” Corvette was a natural choice to begin building out the Barbie fleet, and she’s had over 20 more models added to her roster since the Star-Vette was released in 1976.
Sold in purple and pink variations for Europe and the US respectively, the Star-Vette was appropriately adorned with stars and stripes decals.
Today’s estimated value: £17,000
Star Traveller
Admittedly, the Star Traveller wasn’t Barbie’s first holiday vehicle. She’d kicked off the RV range with the Country Camper in 1970, complete with sliding doors, foldable camping chairs and even its own theme tune.
However, the six-wheeler Star Traveller took things to the next level. Based off of a GMC Motorhome, the Star Traveller clocked in at over three feet long, came with a fully-equipped kitchen, improved camping equipment and tasteful décor with go-faster stripes. Perfect for those weekends away with Ken!
Today’s estimated value: £20,000
Ferrari 328 GTS
With the release of the Barbie Ferrari in 1987, the world’s most-popular doll took her wheels to the next level. Marketed as the Red-Hot Barbie Ferrari, it came in red – understandably. The (very 80s) commercial showed Ken jumping in the passenger seat and Barbie taking him for a spin.
In 1988, she added a white version to the collection, and since then, she’s had plenty more exciting Ferraris – more on that later…
Today’s estimated value: £90,000
Jeep Wrangler
Come on Barbie, let’s go… off-road? In 1988, she became the proud owner of a 4×4 Jeep, and added a wrangler to the collection in 1999. Her affinity with these rugged off-roaders has carried all the way through to the present day, with today’s range of Barbie toys even featuring a ride-on battery powered Jeep!
Today’s estimated value: £10,000
Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet
The first Porsche in Barbie’s collection, this 911, added in 1992, maintained the convertible tradition. Complete with real working headlights and BARBIE plates, the iconic 911 started our gal’s obsession with Porsches – she later became the proud owner of a Porsche Boxster too.
Today’s estimated value: £70,000
Volkswagen Beetle
Probably the most modest car in Barbie’s garage is the humble VW Beetle – but even when she’s not behind the wheel of a supercar or a hot convertible, she still goes for iconic cars. Her Beetle was first released in 2000, and continues to be manufactured today as one of her most popular cars.
Today’s estimated value: £1000
Ferrari F2003
Barbie’s most expensive and rarest car ever is the Ferrari F2003 F1 car. Specially produced for a Barbie Collectors’ Convention, this Formula One car boasts a whopping 930hp. It’s certainly faster than the Beetle – it’s a good job there’s a Ferrari Scuderia Barbie to try and tame this beast!
And, with the McLaren F1 team collaborating with the Barbie Movie team on Twitter last week ahead of the Hungarian GP, there could yet be another F1 car on the horizon for Barbie…
Today’s estimated value: £13,000,000
Fiat 500
In 2009, Barbie added a Fiat 500 to her extensive garage – perhaps the iconic car for the 21st century woman. The Fiat 500 was her car of choice until 2012, before she returned to the VW Beetle in 2014. In 2021, she was back in the Fiat – convertible of course.
Today’s estimated value: £3000
With all these cars and plenty more in the garage, it seems Barbie would be very, very rich if she ever decided to sell up any of her cars. The combined value of these cars total almost £13,500,000 – even if the vast majority of its value is dictated by her F1 car. That’s not even counting the tens of other models released between these standout sets of wheels!
And, on top of that, there’s the third party brands, who created plenty of unofficial Barbie cars – including a convertible pink Rolls-Royce, which was marketed as suitable for “11 ½ inch fashion dolls, such as Barbie, Sindy, Michael Jackson doll and more…”
With those included, you have to wonder exactly how much Barbie’s entire collection would be worth in today’s money.
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