Some of The 10 Most Expensive Miniature Engines Ever Sold: A Collector’s Chronicle

They are small enough to sit on your desk, yet powerful enough to echo the sound of history. Miniature engines—gasoline, steam, and rotary—bridge the gap between hobby models and mechanical art. While they rarely reach the stratospheric prices of rare watches or Ferraris, the engines on this list represent the top shelf of miniature engineering—machines that collectors revere not just for their cost, but for their craftsmanship, cultural significance, and scarcity.

🏆 1. The Cison OHV V8 Small-Block Pro

Price Range: $1,800–$2,200

A modern legend. Modeled on America’s most iconic small-block, this 1/6-scale OHV V8 is built with CNC-machined precision and water cooling. It’s less a “kit” and more a functional tribute to hot-rod history. For many collectors, this is the crown jewel—the mechanical equivalent of a fine Swiss chronograph.

🕰 2. Stuart Turner Twin Cylinder Steam Engine

Price Range: $700–$1,500

More than a century of heritage backs this British name. A Stuart isn’t just an engine—it’s a badge of belonging to generations of model engineers. The twin-cylinder steam designs are especially coveted, often appearing in estate auctions and private sales where nostalgia drives the price as much as mechanics.

🏁 3. Cison Flathead V8

Price Range: $1,500–$1,800

If the OHV Small-Block is about modern power, the Flathead is about roots and rumble. Collectors prize it for its connection to the golden age of hot rods, when ingenuity mattered more than polish. Display one of these, and you don’t just own an engine—you own a slice of Americana.

🔧 4. One-Off Custom Workshop Builds

Price Range: $2,000+ (private commissions)

The highest sums aren’t paid for catalog models, but for singular creations. Machinists spend hundreds of hours hand-crafting bespoke engines—replicas of historic mills, experimental designs, or museum commissions. These pieces rarely hit eBay or StirlingKit—they change hands privately, and when they do, prices are whatever passion dictates.

🚤 5. Toyan FS-V800 V8

Price Range: $1,200–$1,500

Where Cison leans toward collector prestige, Toyan leans toward performance and accessibility. The FS-V800 is a favorite for RC boat and car modders, prized for its high revs and rugged reliability. It’s not the most expensive on this list, but it’s one of the most frequently run, not just displayed.

🏍 6. Cison V2 Motorcycle Engine

Price Range: $700–$1,000

Motorcycles have their own cult following, and this twin-cylinder captures that spirit in miniature. It’s smaller than the V8s, but to collectors who grew up on Harley or Vincent twins, it’s a visceral connection.

🔥 7. Toyan Rotary (Wankel)

Price Range: $500–$900

For the experimental crowd, the rotary is a curiosity. Compact, high-revving, and mechanically unusual, it’s not the priciest, but it’s among the most talked about. Rotary fans are a breed apart, and this engine reflects their loyalty.

⚙️ 8. Enjomor V8

Price Range: $1,000–$1,300

A relative newcomer, Enjomor has been climbing into conversations with builds that challenge the dominance of Cison and Toyan. Their V8s, while not as culturally resonant yet, are strong entries in the premium bracket.

🕰 9. KACIO LS2-14 Retro Twin Steam Engine

Price Range: $500–$800

Retro in spirit, functional in design, this engine scratches the itch for collectors drawn to steam’s aesthetic charm. While not commanding the highest dollars, its distinctive look and faithful motion have earned it steady respect.

🏎 10. Cison L4-175 Inline-4

Price Range: $800–$1,200

Compact, precise, and versatile. It lacks the jaw-dropping presence of a V8, but in the RC world, this inline-4 is a favorite—powerful enough for integration, refined enough for display. Among entry points into premium miniature engines, it remains a standout.

⚙️ What Collectors Really Pay For

When enthusiasts open their wallets, they’re not paying just for displacement numbers or cylinder counts. They’re paying for:

Craftsmanship – Tight tolerances, smooth motion, CNC precision.
History – Engines tied to cultural icons (the Flathead, the Stuart).
Scarcity – Limited runs or one-off builds.
Functionality – Engines that run on fuel or steam, not just sit pretty.

🏁 Closing Thoughts

The “most expensive” miniature engines don’t owe their status to hype or celebrity provenance. They’re expensive because they represent the peak of a niche craft—a community where passion, engineering, and artistry intersect.

To the outsider, $2,000 for a model engine might seem irrational. To the collector, it’s an investment in a tradition that combines mechanical truth with human pride.