Cars 1930-33
Except otherwise stated, all results include the premium.
See also : Cars 1930s Bugatti Alfa Romeo Duesenberg Cars in movies
Chronology : 1931 1933
See also : Cars 1930s Bugatti Alfa Romeo Duesenberg Cars in movies
Chronology : 1931 1933
1930-(1931) Model J Convertible Coupe by Murphy
2023 SOLD for $ 4.3M by RM Sotheby's
Murphy did not offer his disappearing top for the Duesenberg factory stock coupes but only as a custom bespoke option.
In a first phase, the top folded down into a pile behind the driver's seat, as for most convertibles of the time. By 1931 the top folded down into a low well behind the seat and was covered by a leather tonneau and later by a metal lid. The folded top associated with the disappearing windows provided the best sporting look to the car, much enjoyed in Hollywood.
A Duesenberg Model J Disappearing top coupe by Murphy made in 1930 but titled 1931 was originally or slightly later finished in a primrose yellow with apple green fenders. It was once owned in that configuration by a son of Buster Keaton.
Still in that livery, this eccentric car of the 1930s had a later career in movies and in television series, beginning in 1962 with What Ever Happened to Baby Jane ?, the thriller film that narrated the long term consequences of a car accident in 1935.
The car retains its original chassis, engine and body, and even its matching number crankshaft. After a painstaking three year restoration that earned it a lot of best in class awards, it was sold by RM Sothebys for $ 3.5M on May 2, 2015, lot 244, and for $ 4.3M on March 4, 2023, lot 135.
In a first phase, the top folded down into a pile behind the driver's seat, as for most convertibles of the time. By 1931 the top folded down into a low well behind the seat and was covered by a leather tonneau and later by a metal lid. The folded top associated with the disappearing windows provided the best sporting look to the car, much enjoyed in Hollywood.
A Duesenberg Model J Disappearing top coupe by Murphy made in 1930 but titled 1931 was originally or slightly later finished in a primrose yellow with apple green fenders. It was once owned in that configuration by a son of Buster Keaton.
Still in that livery, this eccentric car of the 1930s had a later career in movies and in television series, beginning in 1962 with What Ever Happened to Baby Jane ?, the thriller film that narrated the long term consequences of a car accident in 1935.
The car retains its original chassis, engine and body, and even its matching number crankshaft. After a painstaking three year restoration that earned it a lot of best in class awards, it was sold by RM Sothebys for $ 3.5M on May 2, 2015, lot 244, and for $ 4.3M on March 4, 2023, lot 135.
Simply the best of the best. The top surviving Murphy “Disappearing Top” Convertible Coupe headlines the Private Collection offered at Amelia Island. https://t.co/yL0d9eD6Qa pic.twitter.com/w7jPet3mGC
— RM Sotheby's (@rmsothebys) February 4, 2023
Undoubtedly one of the best known and most beautiful Duesenbergs was the “Disappearing Top” Convertible Coupe. https://t.co/yL0d9eD6Qa pic.twitter.com/F9MRw7UPCe
— RM Sotheby's (@rmsothebys) February 22, 2023
1931 Duesenberg Model J LWB
2011 SOLD for $ 10.3M by Gooding
Captain Whittell was an exuberant American who had preserved his immense fortune by selling his shares just a few days before the financial crash of 1929. Such a character would have some Duesenbergs : he owned no less than six model J's.
At that time, customers bought the chassis and selected the body shop. The choice was great, which gives an infinite variety to Duesenberg vehicles.
The high end was the lengthened Model J chassis (long wheelbase). This huge machine 3.90 m long exceeded by 30 cm the standard (short wheelbase) Model J.
Whittell bought a long wheelbase in 1931 and made it equipped as a coupe by the stylist Franklin Hershey. The result is a surprising example of American Art Deco, including a folding roof that makes this car look like a convertible. The general shape is aerodynamic, anticipating the trend of the automotive design of the later 1930s.
It was sold for $ 10.3M on 20/21 August 2011 by Gooding. Totaling less than 20,000 km, it is in perfect working order.
At that time, customers bought the chassis and selected the body shop. The choice was great, which gives an infinite variety to Duesenberg vehicles.
The high end was the lengthened Model J chassis (long wheelbase). This huge machine 3.90 m long exceeded by 30 cm the standard (short wheelbase) Model J.
Whittell bought a long wheelbase in 1931 and made it equipped as a coupe by the stylist Franklin Hershey. The result is a surprising example of American Art Deco, including a folding roof that makes this car look like a convertible. The general shape is aerodynamic, anticipating the trend of the automotive design of the later 1930s.
It was sold for $ 10.3M on 20/21 August 2011 by Gooding. Totaling less than 20,000 km, it is in perfect working order.
1931 Bugatti La Royale
1987 SOLD for £ 5.5M (including premium ?) worth US$ 9.8M at that time, by Christie's
At first Bugatti was right : nothing is too expensive for the richest customers. The Type 35 dominates the competitions. The Type 41 "La Royale" will have comparable performances but in monumental dimensions, with a 6 m long chassis.
The prototype demonstrates the feasibility in 1926. Times change. The King of Spain, targeted as the emblematic client, is in difficulty. The economic crisis arises. Bugatti had planned 25 units. Only 6 are produced, each with another body type. The only king who shows interest in La Royale, Zog of Albania, is not accepted by Bugatti.
The business failure of La Royale is obvious. Three cars are sold. Ettore Bugatti's personal car will enter the Schlumpf collection in the 1960s. The other two, chassis 41140 and 41151, are acquired together in 1950 by Briggs Cunningham. Cunningham sells 41151 and keeps 41140 for his museum which closes in 1986.
Built in 1931, 41140 retains its original bodywork by Kellner, a two-door coupe for five passengers. It was sold on November 17, 1987 by Christie's for £ 5.5M, worth $ 9.8M at that time. I guess this figure includes the premium. It passed at Kruse in 1989, far below a reserve price of $ 15M.
The image is shared with attribution : Arnaud 25, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
The prototype demonstrates the feasibility in 1926. Times change. The King of Spain, targeted as the emblematic client, is in difficulty. The economic crisis arises. Bugatti had planned 25 units. Only 6 are produced, each with another body type. The only king who shows interest in La Royale, Zog of Albania, is not accepted by Bugatti.
The business failure of La Royale is obvious. Three cars are sold. Ettore Bugatti's personal car will enter the Schlumpf collection in the 1960s. The other two, chassis 41140 and 41151, are acquired together in 1950 by Briggs Cunningham. Cunningham sells 41151 and keeps 41140 for his museum which closes in 1986.
Built in 1931, 41140 retains its original bodywork by Kellner, a two-door coupe for five passengers. It was sold on November 17, 1987 by Christie's for £ 5.5M, worth $ 9.8M at that time. I guess this figure includes the premium. It passed at Kruse in 1989, far below a reserve price of $ 15M.
The image is shared with attribution : Arnaud 25, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Bentley
Intro
For sport and specially to win at Le Mans, two product lines were clashing at Bentley. It was of course one too much and the company went to bankrupt in July i931.
The choice of the founder of the brand, W.O. Bentley, was for big engines along with the maximum length of the mechanical transmission. He upheld that conviction against his own officers who preferred supercharging smaller engines.
W.O. introduced in 1928 the Speed Six as the sport model on the 6 1/2 chassis. Events proved him right when the 24 hours of Le Mans were won by a Speed Six in 1929 and 1930. The 6 1/2 litre model with front engine and rear wheel drive was otherwise the suitable support for the oversized front covers of a limousine, berline or sedan.
Released in October 1930, the handsome 8 litre with a stronger chassis and enlarged bore is competing in power and comfort with the Rolls-Royce Phantom II. It is often bodied in limousine or saloon. 100 were built.
At that time, the client chose the coachworker. For example a two-seater open-top coupe cabriolet by Barker is the only Bentley 8 litre of its type. This car almost 6 meters long pushed its huge mass to 170 km/h guaranteed by the manufacturer. It passed at RM Auctions on August 16, 2014, lot 233.
A Bentley Eight was made in 1931 on a short chassis with a two door four seater sports tourer body by Vanden Plas for the personal use of Barnato, beside two other Eight in his garage. Keeping its 6 cylinder inline engine in matching numbers and its original body, it passed at Gooding on August 20, 2022, lot 142.
The choice of the founder of the brand, W.O. Bentley, was for big engines along with the maximum length of the mechanical transmission. He upheld that conviction against his own officers who preferred supercharging smaller engines.
W.O. introduced in 1928 the Speed Six as the sport model on the 6 1/2 chassis. Events proved him right when the 24 hours of Le Mans were won by a Speed Six in 1929 and 1930. The 6 1/2 litre model with front engine and rear wheel drive was otherwise the suitable support for the oversized front covers of a limousine, berline or sedan.
Released in October 1930, the handsome 8 litre with a stronger chassis and enlarged bore is competing in power and comfort with the Rolls-Royce Phantom II. It is often bodied in limousine or saloon. 100 were built.
At that time, the client chose the coachworker. For example a two-seater open-top coupe cabriolet by Barker is the only Bentley 8 litre of its type. This car almost 6 meters long pushed its huge mass to 170 km/h guaranteed by the manufacturer. It passed at RM Auctions on August 16, 2014, lot 233.
A Bentley Eight was made in 1931 on a short chassis with a two door four seater sports tourer body by Vanden Plas for the personal use of Barnato, beside two other Eight in his garage. Keeping its 6 cylinder inline engine in matching numbers and its original body, it passed at Gooding on August 20, 2022, lot 142.
1
1931 4 1/2 Blower Le Mans
2013 SOLD for $ 4.6M by Bonhams
A Bentley Blower manufactured in 1931 was sold for $ 4.6M by Bonhams on August 16, 2013, lot 152.
Its outstanding feature is its original Le Mans-type chassis, consistent with the rules of the time for this endurance race. Its original bodywork had been made by Vanden Plas also in a Le Mans configuration. It was replaced in 1938, probably due to wear, with a nice Brooklands-type racing body with which it is still equipped today.
Bentley was too fast. The Blower had not won at Le Mans against the other models of the brand. The Blower Bentley for sale was one of the last to carry the hopes of this model that the crisis was to wipe out : in 1931, Bentley was bought by Rolls-Royce.
Its outstanding feature is its original Le Mans-type chassis, consistent with the rules of the time for this endurance race. Its original bodywork had been made by Vanden Plas also in a Le Mans configuration. It was replaced in 1938, probably due to wear, with a nice Brooklands-type racing body with which it is still equipped today.
Bentley was too fast. The Blower had not won at Le Mans against the other models of the brand. The Blower Bentley for sale was one of the last to carry the hopes of this model that the crisis was to wipe out : in 1931, Bentley was bought by Rolls-Royce.
2
1931 4 1/2 Blower The Green Hornet
2007 SOLD for $ 4.5M by Gooding
Within eight decades, most cars have been repaired and transformed. One of them however, bodied in boat-tail shape in 1931 by Gurney Nutting, has been preserved in its original state and is considered as the closest copy of what Barnato was wishing. It has even kept its original fabric covering, probably somehow worn.
This car is known by the friendly nickname Green Hornet which was given to it by one of its former owners. It was sold for $ 4.5M by Gooding on August 19, 2007 and passed on August 19, 2012 at the same auction house.
This car is known by the friendly nickname Green Hornet which was given to it by one of its former owners. It was sold for $ 4.5M by Gooding on August 19, 2007 and passed on August 19, 2012 at the same auction house.
1932 Bugatti Type 55
1
Roadster
2016 SOLD for $ 10.4M by Gooding
Reputed to be a traditionalist, Ettore Bugatti was perfectly right to trust his son Jean. The skills of the young man both as designer and engineer certainly saved the brand throughout the economic crisis of the 1930s.
The situation is uneasy. In racing, the glorious Type 35 is no more competitive and its successors Types 51, 53 and 54 do not reach the performance of their Alfa Romeo competitors. Too expensive, the Type 41 La Royale limousine appealed only three customers and its target of 25 units in production will never be achieved.
Fortunately the commercial success is maintained by a deluxe coupé designed in 1929 by Ettore and Jean, the Type 46 nicknamed La Petite Royale. Jean is 20 years old.
The Bugatti brand introduces in 1931 the Type 55 sports car with three factory bodywork options : coupé, cabriolet and roadster. Only 38 cars were made overall.
Designed by Jean, this roadster introduces an increased elegance within the Bugatti range while the top speed is just shy of 180 km/h. In the following year, Jean gets inspired by this avant-garde experience to equip in roadster the La Royale purchased by Armand Esders.
From 1931 to 1936, 14 of the Type 55 chassis are equipped with Jean Bugatti's roadster. One of them made in 1932 was sold for $ 10.4M by Gooding on August 21, 2016, lot 135.
Despite the differentiation between sports and competition models, the car for sale had entered the Mille Miglia in 1932. Piloted by Achille Varzi who was then an official driver to Bugatti, it had to stop after the piercing of the fuel tank by a rock.
This car retained a high level of authenticity. It was completely dismantled for a careful restoration. The original engine and gearbox, replaced by replicas during the re-assembly, are included in the auction lot.
The situation is uneasy. In racing, the glorious Type 35 is no more competitive and its successors Types 51, 53 and 54 do not reach the performance of their Alfa Romeo competitors. Too expensive, the Type 41 La Royale limousine appealed only three customers and its target of 25 units in production will never be achieved.
Fortunately the commercial success is maintained by a deluxe coupé designed in 1929 by Ettore and Jean, the Type 46 nicknamed La Petite Royale. Jean is 20 years old.
The Bugatti brand introduces in 1931 the Type 55 sports car with three factory bodywork options : coupé, cabriolet and roadster. Only 38 cars were made overall.
Designed by Jean, this roadster introduces an increased elegance within the Bugatti range while the top speed is just shy of 180 km/h. In the following year, Jean gets inspired by this avant-garde experience to equip in roadster the La Royale purchased by Armand Esders.
From 1931 to 1936, 14 of the Type 55 chassis are equipped with Jean Bugatti's roadster. One of them made in 1932 was sold for $ 10.4M by Gooding on August 21, 2016, lot 135.
Despite the differentiation between sports and competition models, the car for sale had entered the Mille Miglia in 1932. Piloted by Achille Varzi who was then an official driver to Bugatti, it had to stop after the piercing of the fuel tank by a rock.
This car retained a high level of authenticity. It was completely dismantled for a careful restoration. The original engine and gearbox, replaced by replicas during the re-assembly, are included in the auction lot.
2
Roadster
2020 SOLD for $ 7.1M by Bonhams
At the time of the gentlemen drivers, in 1932, the Bugatti Type 55 bodied as a Super Sport roadster without doors by the factory in the design of Jean Bugatti combines the legendary robustness of the brand with an elegance of an unprecedented refinement. Fourteen are made.
Victor Rothschild, heir to the barony of the British bankers, is not mistaken. Aged 21, he is a student at Cambridge where he leads a playboy life. He does not order La Royale or La Petite Royale but a Super Sport Jean Bugatti, which is assembled in August 1932. In 1936 he will be the very first of the three customers of the Bugatti Atlantic.
The 55 Super Sport generates passions up to current day. In 1985 Dr. Edmonds, a physicist at Boston University, learned that the Type 55 ex Rothschild was going to be auctioned at Sotheby's in London. He jumps into a Concorde and becomes the owner of the wonder for £ 440K, at the extreme limit of his financial possibilities, beyond the maximum price he had himself set.
Edmonds puts the car back into working condition with all its original equipment. In 1993 his Bugatti is First in class at Pebble Beach. He will never part with it. It was sold from his deceased estate, for $ 7.1M by Bonhams on March 5, 2020, lot 123.
Victor Rothschild, heir to the barony of the British bankers, is not mistaken. Aged 21, he is a student at Cambridge where he leads a playboy life. He does not order La Royale or La Petite Royale but a Super Sport Jean Bugatti, which is assembled in August 1932. In 1936 he will be the very first of the three customers of the Bugatti Atlantic.
The 55 Super Sport generates passions up to current day. In 1985 Dr. Edmonds, a physicist at Boston University, learned that the Type 55 ex Rothschild was going to be auctioned at Sotheby's in London. He jumps into a Concorde and becomes the owner of the wonder for £ 440K, at the extreme limit of his financial possibilities, beyond the maximum price he had himself set.
Edmonds puts the car back into working condition with all its original equipment. In 1993 his Bugatti is First in class at Pebble Beach. He will never part with it. It was sold from his deceased estate, for $ 7.1M by Bonhams on March 5, 2020, lot 123.
3
Roadster by Figoni
2020 SOLD for € 4.6M by Bonhams
To remain competitive in Grand Prix racing, Bugatti replaces the Type 35 with the Type 51 in 1931. The Type 55 is the road version of the 51 with the same 2.3-liter 8-cylinder straight engine, but slightly detuned.
The production of the 55 begins in 1932. One of the very first customers is Guy Bouriat, who targets Le Mans. His car, ready just in time for this competition, is viewed as the best representative of French industry against the Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 which has the same engine displacement and is also supercharged.
A stone from the road pierces the tank, ending this first outing. Bouriat sells the car immediately to Jacques Dupuy. The new owner is the son of the late Paul Dupuy, a press boss who organized motor sport events in the 1910s for Le Petit Parisien and created in 1920 the weekly Miroir des Sports.
Jacques does not want to keep the original bodywork that had been specially built to meet the demanding regulations of Le Mans. He also does not want the doorless roadster designed by Jean Bugatti. His car is bodied according to his drawings as a two-seater Supersport by Figoni.
Jacques Dupuy leads his 55 until 1936 in picturesque events typical of that time : stage road races, hill races, kilometer start, braking. He wins the Paris-Nice composite competition in 1933.
The contests of feminine elegance are not waived. With this Bugatti driven by a mechanic in livery and accompanied by two dogs, the comtesse de Rivals-Mazères is awarded a gramophone at the Concours d'Elégance du Bois de Boulogne sponsored by the newspapers Fémina and L'Intransigeant.
This one-off 55 Figoni has kept a very good authenticity despite a serious accident in 1994. It is fitted with the original engine of another 55. After 56 years devoted to the happiness of an enthusiastic owner, it was sold for € 4.6M by Bonhams on February 6, 2020, lot 268. Please watch the video shared by the auction house.
The production of the 55 begins in 1932. One of the very first customers is Guy Bouriat, who targets Le Mans. His car, ready just in time for this competition, is viewed as the best representative of French industry against the Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 which has the same engine displacement and is also supercharged.
A stone from the road pierces the tank, ending this first outing. Bouriat sells the car immediately to Jacques Dupuy. The new owner is the son of the late Paul Dupuy, a press boss who organized motor sport events in the 1910s for Le Petit Parisien and created in 1920 the weekly Miroir des Sports.
Jacques does not want to keep the original bodywork that had been specially built to meet the demanding regulations of Le Mans. He also does not want the doorless roadster designed by Jean Bugatti. His car is bodied according to his drawings as a two-seater Supersport by Figoni.
Jacques Dupuy leads his 55 until 1936 in picturesque events typical of that time : stage road races, hill races, kilometer start, braking. He wins the Paris-Nice composite competition in 1933.
The contests of feminine elegance are not waived. With this Bugatti driven by a mechanic in livery and accompanied by two dogs, the comtesse de Rivals-Mazères is awarded a gramophone at the Concours d'Elégance du Bois de Boulogne sponsored by the newspapers Fémina and L'Intransigeant.
This one-off 55 Figoni has kept a very good authenticity despite a serious accident in 1994. It is fitted with the original engine of another 55. After 56 years devoted to the happiness of an enthusiastic owner, it was sold for € 4.6M by Bonhams on February 6, 2020, lot 268. Please watch the video shared by the auction house.
1933 Alfa Romeo 8C 2300
2016 SOLD for $ 12M by Gooding
Beginning in 1931 the Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 supercharged sports model is ahead of its time with its 2,300 cc straight 8 cylinder engine on a stiff chassis.
An 8C 2300 Monza was sold by Gooding, for $ 6.7M on August 15, 2010, lot 117, and for $ 12M on August 21, 2016, lot 128. It had been illustrated in 2010 in the article shared by Sports Car Digest. Please watch the video shared by Gooding.
This Alfa Romeo is in an original condition which is quite rare for a car from that time, including its matching number engine and a great traceability of the other elements.
The qualifier Monza applied to the short chassis version of the 8C 2300 after a victory in the Italian Grand Prix in the first year of the model in 1931.
The build of many early Monzas had been entrusted to Scuderia Ferrari which was a subsidiary of Alfa Romeo. It is not the case for the car for sale which is a rare factory built of 1933 coachworked by Brianza. It belongs to the third series when the 8C 2300 Monza had become a regular variant with a further shortened frame.
1933 had been a pivotal year for Alfa Romeo.
The 8C 2300 model begins to be replaced by the 8C 2600. Alfa Romeo goes under the effective control of the Fascist government desiring to make it a flagship of Italian industry. The brand does not maintain any more a works racing team despite the great success of the two previous years and a repositionment of the Scuderia Ferrari will be necessary.
An 8C 2300 Monza was sold by Gooding, for $ 6.7M on August 15, 2010, lot 117, and for $ 12M on August 21, 2016, lot 128. It had been illustrated in 2010 in the article shared by Sports Car Digest. Please watch the video shared by Gooding.
This Alfa Romeo is in an original condition which is quite rare for a car from that time, including its matching number engine and a great traceability of the other elements.
The qualifier Monza applied to the short chassis version of the 8C 2300 after a victory in the Italian Grand Prix in the first year of the model in 1931.
The build of many early Monzas had been entrusted to Scuderia Ferrari which was a subsidiary of Alfa Romeo. It is not the case for the car for sale which is a rare factory built of 1933 coachworked by Brianza. It belongs to the third series when the 8C 2300 Monza had become a regular variant with a further shortened frame.
1933 had been a pivotal year for Alfa Romeo.
The 8C 2300 model begins to be replaced by the 8C 2600. Alfa Romeo goes under the effective control of the Fascist government desiring to make it a flagship of Italian industry. The brand does not maintain any more a works racing team despite the great success of the two previous years and a repositionment of the Scuderia Ferrari will be necessary.
1933 Packard Twelve Coupe by Dietrich
2015 SOLD for $ 4.2M by RM Sotheby's
Luxury touring cars are a specialty of Packard. During the financial crisis the competition involving Duesenberg, Cadillac, Packard and Pierce-Arrow becomes a matter of life and death for these brands.
In 1932 Packard fitted a 7.3 liters V-12 engine on the DeLuxe Eight chassis usually equipped with an 8-cylinder in-line engine. Originally named Twin Six, the new model becomes the Packard Twelve in 1933. It is a great success despite its fuel consumption over 25 liters per 100 Km : 5,800 Packard Twelve are produced between 1933 and 1939.
A few top luxury cars are bodied by LeBaron or Dietrich. Dietrich realizes small series around a dozen units whose finish is made when he receives the order from the client, allowing to incorporate some ultimate custom variants.
Sold in late 1933 to its first owner, a chassis from the 1934 titled Packard Twelve eleventh series was bodied by Dietrich as an Individual Custom Stationery Coupe.
This two passenger car displays the most stunning elegance of the 1930s style. It was indeed rewarded as the most elegant closed car at the 2005 Pebble Beach concours.
It was sold for $ 4.2M by RM Sotheby's on May 2, 2015, lot 233.
In 1932 Packard fitted a 7.3 liters V-12 engine on the DeLuxe Eight chassis usually equipped with an 8-cylinder in-line engine. Originally named Twin Six, the new model becomes the Packard Twelve in 1933. It is a great success despite its fuel consumption over 25 liters per 100 Km : 5,800 Packard Twelve are produced between 1933 and 1939.
A few top luxury cars are bodied by LeBaron or Dietrich. Dietrich realizes small series around a dozen units whose finish is made when he receives the order from the client, allowing to incorporate some ultimate custom variants.
Sold in late 1933 to its first owner, a chassis from the 1934 titled Packard Twelve eleventh series was bodied by Dietrich as an Individual Custom Stationery Coupe.
This two passenger car displays the most stunning elegance of the 1930s style. It was indeed rewarded as the most elegant closed car at the 2005 Pebble Beach concours.
It was sold for $ 4.2M by RM Sotheby's on May 2, 2015, lot 233.
