Cars 1938-39
Except otherwise stated, all results include the premium.
See also : Cars 1930s Alfa Romeo Mercedes-Benz Bugatti French cars
Chronology : 1938 1939
See also : Cars 1930s Alfa Romeo Mercedes-Benz Bugatti French cars
Chronology : 1938 1939
Alfa Romeo 8C 2900 B Superleggera
Intro
At the time of totalitarianism, motor racing became a major showcase of high-tech know-how. To compete with the Silver Arrows, Alfa Romeo develops a stiffened chassis and an independent suspension with which it equips the Tipo C for the grand prix and the 6C 2300 B for grand touring.
Under the direct control of the Italian government, Alfa Romeo improves the performance of its luxury and sports cars throughout the 1930s by the skill of the engineer Vittorio Jano. The 6-cylinder version (6C) grows in several stages from 1750 to 2500 cc. Aimed at the high end, the 8-cylinder version (8C) is created in 1931 with 2300 cc. Introduced in 1935 the 8C 2900 A targets the endurance racing.
The grand touring model 8C 2900 B is available with a straight 8 engine in two wheel bases from 1937 : Corto and Lungo, 2.80 m and 3 m respectively. It was the fastest commercial car of its time. A racing version averaged 210 km/h over a 80 km section of autostrada.
Alfa Romeo has special relationships with two body shops that offer dissimilar products. A 8C 2900 B assembled by Pinin Farina in cabriolet was sold for $ 4.1M by Christie's on August 28, 1999.
In Milan also, Carrozzeria Touring patented in 1936 its Superleggera technology : after advanced aerodynamic studies, this company offers all-metal bodies, a novelty at that time. Alfa Romeo actively supports this development that will enable its Lungo variant to compete advantageously with the heavy Mercedes-Benz 540K.
In 1937 Touring develops two bodies for the new 8C 2900 B : a spider for the short chassis and a berlinetta for the long chassis. The closed cockpit allows a body made entirely of aluminum unlike the spider which requires reinforcements in steel. For this reason the spider is heavier than the coupe. It will also be built for the long chassis.
The war interrupted this activity. Indeed in 1939 Alfa Romeo is already offering the features that will make the success of sports cars after the war : the open spider from as early as 1931, and the closed berlinetta.
Under the direct control of the Italian government, Alfa Romeo improves the performance of its luxury and sports cars throughout the 1930s by the skill of the engineer Vittorio Jano. The 6-cylinder version (6C) grows in several stages from 1750 to 2500 cc. Aimed at the high end, the 8-cylinder version (8C) is created in 1931 with 2300 cc. Introduced in 1935 the 8C 2900 A targets the endurance racing.
The grand touring model 8C 2900 B is available with a straight 8 engine in two wheel bases from 1937 : Corto and Lungo, 2.80 m and 3 m respectively. It was the fastest commercial car of its time. A racing version averaged 210 km/h over a 80 km section of autostrada.
Alfa Romeo has special relationships with two body shops that offer dissimilar products. A 8C 2900 B assembled by Pinin Farina in cabriolet was sold for $ 4.1M by Christie's on August 28, 1999.
In Milan also, Carrozzeria Touring patented in 1936 its Superleggera technology : after advanced aerodynamic studies, this company offers all-metal bodies, a novelty at that time. Alfa Romeo actively supports this development that will enable its Lungo variant to compete advantageously with the heavy Mercedes-Benz 540K.
In 1937 Touring develops two bodies for the new 8C 2900 B : a spider for the short chassis and a berlinetta for the long chassis. The closed cockpit allows a body made entirely of aluminum unlike the spider which requires reinforcements in steel. For this reason the spider is heavier than the coupe. It will also be built for the long chassis.
The war interrupted this activity. Indeed in 1939 Alfa Romeo is already offering the features that will make the success of sports cars after the war : the open spider from as early as 1931, and the closed berlinetta.
1
1938 berlinetta
2019 SOLD for € 16.7M by Artcurial
The total population of 8C 2900 B Touring berlinettas is five units. The second, built in 1938, is titled 1939, the date of its registration in the United Kingdom. It was used sparingly except for a brief period in the 1950s and was carefully maintained by its successive owners without ever being disassembled.
Remaining since 1976 in a single collection, it was sold for € 16.7M by Artcurial on February 8, 2019, lot 20. Please watch the video shared by the auction house.
Two other 8C 2900 B berlinettas by Touring were awarded the highly prestigious Best Of Show of Pebble Beach's Concours d'Elegance, in 2008 and 2018 respectively.
Remaining since 1976 in a single collection, it was sold for € 16.7M by Artcurial on February 8, 2019, lot 20. Please watch the video shared by the auction house.
Two other 8C 2900 B berlinettas by Touring were awarded the highly prestigious Best Of Show of Pebble Beach's Concours d'Elegance, in 2008 and 2018 respectively.
2
1938 Lungo spider
2024 SOLD for $ 14M by Gooding
Eight 8C 2900 B Lungo were bodied as spiders by Touring. Five of them are known to survive.
One of them made in 1938 had been awarded the Best of Show at the 1996 Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este after a complete restoration. The engine had been rebuilt in the 1960s.
In 2022 the car with its truck and trailer was stolen in the USA while on its way to be restored. The FBI recovered it largely intact. It was sold for $ 14M by Gooding on August 16, 2024, lot 29. It is illustrated by the auction house in a specific pre sale press release.
One of them made in 1938 had been awarded the Best of Show at the 1996 Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este after a complete restoration. The engine had been rebuilt in the 1960s.
In 2022 the car with its truck and trailer was stolen in the USA while on its way to be restored. The FBI recovered it largely intact. It was sold for $ 14M by Gooding on August 16, 2024, lot 29. It is illustrated by the auction house in a specific pre sale press release.
3
1939 Lungo spider ex Mann
2016 SOLD for $ 19.8M by RM Sotheby's
On August 20, 2016, RM Sotheby's sold as lot 234 for $ 19.8M the culmination of this evolution : an 8C 2900 B Lungo bodied in spider superleggera by Touring.
The authenticity of this car is the result of patient and painstaking work by the best specialists of the brand. The oldest traces of its eventful existence date back to the early 1950s in South America. As often, this car had been dismantled by owners seeking the best combination for their cars in competition.
In 1994, convinced that chassis 412041 and body 2027 may come from the same original car, the collector Sam Mann, passionate about automotive engineering, acquires both. The reassembly proves him right : the positions of the bolt holes are consistent, resulting from the work done by Touring workmen around 1939. Despite the extreme rarity of this model, Mann was able to complete this work by assembling an engine and a fuel pump from the original 8C 2900 B series.
Please watch the video shared by Sotheby's and another video shared by RM introducing five vehicles from the Mann collection.
The authenticity of this car is the result of patient and painstaking work by the best specialists of the brand. The oldest traces of its eventful existence date back to the early 1950s in South America. As often, this car had been dismantled by owners seeking the best combination for their cars in competition.
In 1994, convinced that chassis 412041 and body 2027 may come from the same original car, the collector Sam Mann, passionate about automotive engineering, acquires both. The reassembly proves him right : the positions of the bolt holes are consistent, resulting from the work done by Touring workmen around 1939. Despite the extreme rarity of this model, Mann was able to complete this work by assembling an engine and a fuel pump from the original 8C 2900 B series.
Please watch the video shared by Sotheby's and another video shared by RM introducing five vehicles from the Mann collection.
1938 Talbot-Lago Goutte d'Eau
Intro
An Italian-born coachbuilder working in Boulogne-sur-Seine, Giuseppe Figoni associates in 1935 with the businessman Ovidio Falaschi. This co-operation allows Figoni to devote entirely to his art, perhaps with some support from the automotive artist Géo Ham.
In 1935 also, Bugatti introduces at the Salon de l'Auto a prototype named "Aérolithe". The quest for obtaining high speed from aerodynamic features have led to a style all in curves, with a semi-spheric cockpit. The catalogued model will be the Bugatti Atlantic, made in three units in 1936.
At the same time, two new high-end chassis appear on the French market : the Type 135 by Delahaye and the T150 by the newly incorporated Talbot-Lago. Each of them is also available in a short wheel base version specifically designed for competition.
Figoni et Falaschi developed for these two types a range of bodies unique in their kind known as Goutte d'eau for the teardrop shape of the inner contour. This rolling work of art with a lowered center of gravity, referred by its carrossier as a faux cabriolet, is indeed contemporary with the culmination of the Parisian Art Déco style.
16 Talbot-Lago cars were assembled with a Figoni et Falaschi teardrop, in two designs. Luigi Chinetti had the exclusive rights for selling them in France.
The first series referred as Jeancart style was made in 1938 of three on the four-litre T150-C SS chassis, one on the three-litre T23 chassis and one on the T150-C Lago Speciale 30 cm longer chassis. C SS refers to the Super Sport Competition short chassis. The model embeds a 4 liter 6 cylinder engine.
In 1935 also, Bugatti introduces at the Salon de l'Auto a prototype named "Aérolithe". The quest for obtaining high speed from aerodynamic features have led to a style all in curves, with a semi-spheric cockpit. The catalogued model will be the Bugatti Atlantic, made in three units in 1936.
At the same time, two new high-end chassis appear on the French market : the Type 135 by Delahaye and the T150 by the newly incorporated Talbot-Lago. Each of them is also available in a short wheel base version specifically designed for competition.
Figoni et Falaschi developed for these two types a range of bodies unique in their kind known as Goutte d'eau for the teardrop shape of the inner contour. This rolling work of art with a lowered center of gravity, referred by its carrossier as a faux cabriolet, is indeed contemporary with the culmination of the Parisian Art Déco style.
16 Talbot-Lago cars were assembled with a Figoni et Falaschi teardrop, in two designs. Luigi Chinetti had the exclusive rights for selling them in France.
The first series referred as Jeancart style was made in 1938 of three on the four-litre T150-C SS chassis, one on the three-litre T23 chassis and one on the T150-C Lago Speciale 30 cm longer chassis. C SS refers to the Super Sport Competition short chassis. The model embeds a 4 liter 6 cylinder engine.
1
T150-C SS Coupe
2022 SOLD for $ 7.3M by RM Sotheby's
The second batch of the teardrop coupe, unofficially referred as New York style, was fitted by Figoni et Falaschi in 1937 and 1938 on eleven Talbot-Lago chassis overall which were ten T150-C SS and one T23. Its Art Déco lines were purer than with the original batch of five in so called Jeancart style from its first customer.
A T150-C SS New York style teardrop coupe was assembled on commission from a gentleman driver with a purpose of racing. Its special equipment included a pair of additional lights and a long range fuel tank. The chassis was made lower and longer for an improved aerodynamics. The ventilation of the cockpit was improved with an opening rear window and a one off heart-shaped sunroof.
Made in 1938, it entered the 1939 Le Mans 24 where it did not finish for an unreported reason : technical issue or disqualification. No other racing event is known in period.
It went out of view from the outbreak of the war and resurfaced in neglected condition without engine behind the German Iron curtain 50 years later. Fitted with a period correct Talbot-Lago engine and submitted to a six year careful restoration, it won some trophies at the 2010 Villa d'Este Concorso d'Eleganza.
This car was sold for $ 7.3M by RM Sotheby's on August 19, 2022, lot 243.
A T150-C SS New York style teardrop coupe was assembled on commission from a gentleman driver with a purpose of racing. Its special equipment included a pair of additional lights and a long range fuel tank. The chassis was made lower and longer for an improved aerodynamics. The ventilation of the cockpit was improved with an opening rear window and a one off heart-shaped sunroof.
Made in 1938, it entered the 1939 Le Mans 24 where it did not finish for an unreported reason : technical issue or disqualification. No other racing event is known in period.
It went out of view from the outbreak of the war and resurfaced in neglected condition without engine behind the German Iron curtain 50 years later. Fitted with a period correct Talbot-Lago engine and submitted to a six year careful restoration, it won some trophies at the 2010 Villa d'Este Concorso d'Eleganza.
This car was sold for $ 7.3M by RM Sotheby's on August 19, 2022, lot 243.
2
T150-C SS Cabriolet
2013 SOLD for $ 7.15M by RM Auctions
The open body Talbot-Lago T150-C SS teardrop cabriolet is the rarest and most spectacular coachwork made by Figoni et Falaschi. Made in 1938 and painted in cream color, one of them was sold for $ 7.15M on November 21, 2013 by RM Auctions, lot 122.
A Talbot-Lago T150-C SS Goutte d'eau was sold for € 3.14M on May 21, 2011 by RM Auctions, lot 127. Delivered in 1938, it has the short version of the chassis and the highly rare sunroof.
A Talbot-Lago T150-C SS Goutte d'eau was sold for € 3.14M on May 21, 2011 by RM Auctions, lot 127. Delivered in 1938, it has the short version of the chassis and the highly rare sunroof.
3
T150-C Lago Speciale Coupe
2010 SOLD for $ 4.6M by RM Auctions
30 cm longer than the T150-C SS to a wheelbase of 295 cm, the longer T150-C Lago Speciale enabled to accommodate a second row of seats. Made in 1938, a unique teardrop coupe by Figoni et Falaschi was assembled on that chassis, in the Jeancart style.
This Speciale had been purchased by its first owner for the very high price of 165,000 francs. It includes some competition minded custom goodies for that customer, a 33 year old banker named Antoine Schumann who was associated in car racing with his brother in law Pierre Louis-Dreyfus under the pun denomination Ano & Nime. It has its four wheels exposed, a full size sliding sunroof and an elegant Art Déco look.
With a next owner it went first of the 4 liter class in the 1948 24 Heures de Spa.
In a highly original condition, it was sold by RM Auctions, for $ 3.7M on August 20, 2005, lot 251, and for $ 4.6M on August 14, 2010, lot 359. Please watch the video shared by Broad Arrow before it passed on August 15, 2024, lot 230.
Also a Jeancart, the unique teardrop T23 was sold by RM Auctions for $ 2.64M on August 17, 2012, lot 121.
This Speciale had been purchased by its first owner for the very high price of 165,000 francs. It includes some competition minded custom goodies for that customer, a 33 year old banker named Antoine Schumann who was associated in car racing with his brother in law Pierre Louis-Dreyfus under the pun denomination Ano & Nime. It has its four wheels exposed, a full size sliding sunroof and an elegant Art Déco look.
With a next owner it went first of the 4 liter class in the 1948 24 Heures de Spa.
In a highly original condition, it was sold by RM Auctions, for $ 3.7M on August 20, 2005, lot 251, and for $ 4.6M on August 14, 2010, lot 359. Please watch the video shared by Broad Arrow before it passed on August 15, 2024, lot 230.
Also a Jeancart, the unique teardrop T23 was sold by RM Auctions for $ 2.64M on August 17, 2012, lot 121.
Introducing the 1938 Talbot-Lago T150 C Lago Spéciale Teardrop Coupé by Figoni et Falaschi, an outstanding design icon of remarkable and enduring beauty, heading to the upcoming Monterey Jet Center Auction! Estimated at $6,500,000 - $8,500,000.https://t.co/wVK9Gd8DVd pic.twitter.com/6E9cat7dPV
— Broad Arrow Group (@BroadArrowGroup) May 31, 2024
1939 Talbot-Lago T150-C Aerocoupé
2008 SOLD for $ 4.8M by Bonhams
The Goutte d'Eau of Figoni et Falaschi had a follow in 1939 with another team. On the same chassis Talbot-Lago T150-C SS as the Goutte d'eau, Georges Paulin designed the Aerocoupé aiming to improve the aerodynamics for a purpose of racing. Four Aerocoupés were hand made by Marcel Pourtout.
One of them was certainly not finished when the war broke out. It surfaced after the war and was raced by Ecurie Nice in 1950 and 1951. It was sold for $ 4.8M by Bonhams on August 15, 2008, lot 330.
One of them was certainly not finished when the war broke out. It surfaced after the war and was raced by Ecurie Nice in 1950 and 1951. It was sold for $ 4.8M by Bonhams on August 15, 2008, lot 330.
1939 Mercedes-Benz 540K Spezial Roadster
2013 SOLD for $ 7.5M by RM Auctions
The luxury car began to adopt a more modern look in 1939, with Alfa Romeo and Mercedes-Benz. The war interrupted this appealing trend.
Completed in August 1939 on a special order and delivered to its owner in Berlin, a Mercedes-Benz 540K Spezial Roadster appears as the ultimate car of the most prestigious pre-war lineage.
It is equipped with the latest developments offered by Mercedes-Benz including the new five-speed transmission. Its one-off bodywork made in Sindelfingen marks the culmination of the aesthetic research aiming to bring to this massive two-seater roadster the same elegance as a sports car.
After the war it was used for a few years in East Berlin by Soviet diplomats and then transferred to Russia. It had become old-fashioned and was likely to be abandoned when an amateur managed to smuggle it into Sweden in 1967. After these adventures, its condition remains remarkably authentic with its original body and equipment including chassis and engine in matching numbers.
It was sold three times by RM. On August 20, 2011, then one of the five Mercedes-Benz demonstrating masterfully the evolution of the high-end of this brand from 1935 to 1939, it was sold for $ 4.6M. The pre sale release shared by Sports Car Digest illustrates these five wonders.
It was sold for $ 7.5M by RM Auctions on August 16, 2013, and for $ 6.6M by RM Sotheby's on January 20, 2017, lot 258.
Completed in August 1939 on a special order and delivered to its owner in Berlin, a Mercedes-Benz 540K Spezial Roadster appears as the ultimate car of the most prestigious pre-war lineage.
It is equipped with the latest developments offered by Mercedes-Benz including the new five-speed transmission. Its one-off bodywork made in Sindelfingen marks the culmination of the aesthetic research aiming to bring to this massive two-seater roadster the same elegance as a sports car.
After the war it was used for a few years in East Berlin by Soviet diplomats and then transferred to Russia. It had become old-fashioned and was likely to be abandoned when an amateur managed to smuggle it into Sweden in 1967. After these adventures, its condition remains remarkably authentic with its original body and equipment including chassis and engine in matching numbers.
It was sold three times by RM. On August 20, 2011, then one of the five Mercedes-Benz demonstrating masterfully the evolution of the high-end of this brand from 1935 to 1939, it was sold for $ 4.6M. The pre sale release shared by Sports Car Digest illustrates these five wonders.
It was sold for $ 7.5M by RM Auctions on August 16, 2013, and for $ 6.6M by RM Sotheby's on January 20, 2017, lot 258.
1939 Bugatti 57 C Aravis
2024 SOLD for $ 6.6M by Gooding
The Aravis is the two seat cabriolet body conceived in October 1938 by Gangloff for the Bugatti 57. It was offered in the Bugatti catalogue beside the Ventoux, Galibier, Stelvio and Atalante.
Only four Aravis were made by Gangloff. Three are extant. Another builder of the Type 57 Aravis was Letourneur et Marchand, of which three examples also survive.
One of the Gangloff was assembled on a chassis completed in November 1938 with a supercharger. The finish was made in ivory color with dark blue fenders in early 1939. This 57 C was sold new to the highly promising Bugatti works driver Maurice Trintignant, then aged 21, of post war Formula One fame, for his personal use.
After a restoration to its original configuration with the support of Trintignant, it was awarded First in Class in the 2005 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. This car retains its engine in matching numbers and its original Gangloff body. It was sold for $ 6.6M from a lower estimate of $ 2.5M by Gooding on April 26, 2024, lot 22. It is illustrated on the pre sale press release.
An example delivered on November 1938 of the Gangloff 57 C Aravis won the 2012 Amelia Island Best of Show. It was sold for $ 2.34M by RM Sotheby's on March 14, 2015, lot 186. The other surviving Gangloff, made in 1939 and originally supercharged, was sold for $ 1.55M by RM Sotheby's on August 19, 2022, lot 234.
Only four Aravis were made by Gangloff. Three are extant. Another builder of the Type 57 Aravis was Letourneur et Marchand, of which three examples also survive.
One of the Gangloff was assembled on a chassis completed in November 1938 with a supercharger. The finish was made in ivory color with dark blue fenders in early 1939. This 57 C was sold new to the highly promising Bugatti works driver Maurice Trintignant, then aged 21, of post war Formula One fame, for his personal use.
After a restoration to its original configuration with the support of Trintignant, it was awarded First in Class in the 2005 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. This car retains its engine in matching numbers and its original Gangloff body. It was sold for $ 6.6M from a lower estimate of $ 2.5M by Gooding on April 26, 2024, lot 22. It is illustrated on the pre sale press release.
An example delivered on November 1938 of the Gangloff 57 C Aravis won the 2012 Amelia Island Best of Show. It was sold for $ 2.34M by RM Sotheby's on March 14, 2015, lot 186. The other surviving Gangloff, made in 1939 and originally supercharged, was sold for $ 1.55M by RM Sotheby's on August 19, 2022, lot 234.
1939 Horch
2012 SOLD for $ 5.2M by RM Auctions
It was ambitious to compete with Mercedes-Benz high-end in the late 1930s. This is however what was tried by another German brand, Horch, which was part of the Auto Union co-operation. The models of these two companies have remained conjointly in the memory of the enthusiasts of automobile beauties through the nickname "Silver Arrows".
The Horch 853, designed in 1938, is much rarer than the Mercedes 540K. Aesthetically, the Special Roadster variants of these two models are very similar. Horch, which did not have the industrial capability of Mercedes, banked on the extreme minuteness of the details. The 853 was in its time one of the most expensive cars in the world.
Besides the two prototypes that preceded it, the Horch 853 Special Roadster "second series" was produced in five units.
The first did not please Göring and was dismantled. One of them is in a state museum, and the latest of the series is not located.
The Horch sold for $ 5.2M by RM Auctions on August 17, 2012 is exceptional. It is photographed in the fourteenth position on the page devoted by Sports Car Digest to many wonders of this auction.
This car made in 1939 was extensively restored by RM Auto Restoration with an extreme care to use original equipment and components. This operation which lasted two years has resulted in one of the most coveted awards : it was judged Best of Show of the 2004 Concours d'Elegance in Pebble Beach.
The fifth unit had also restored by a less skilled team. It was sold for £ 1.13M by RM Auctions on October 29, 2008.
The Horch 853, designed in 1938, is much rarer than the Mercedes 540K. Aesthetically, the Special Roadster variants of these two models are very similar. Horch, which did not have the industrial capability of Mercedes, banked on the extreme minuteness of the details. The 853 was in its time one of the most expensive cars in the world.
Besides the two prototypes that preceded it, the Horch 853 Special Roadster "second series" was produced in five units.
The first did not please Göring and was dismantled. One of them is in a state museum, and the latest of the series is not located.
The Horch sold for $ 5.2M by RM Auctions on August 17, 2012 is exceptional. It is photographed in the fourteenth position on the page devoted by Sports Car Digest to many wonders of this auction.
This car made in 1939 was extensively restored by RM Auto Restoration with an extreme care to use original equipment and components. This operation which lasted two years has resulted in one of the most coveted awards : it was judged Best of Show of the 2004 Concours d'Elegance in Pebble Beach.
The fifth unit had also restored by a less skilled team. It was sold for £ 1.13M by RM Auctions on October 29, 2008.
