Cars of the 1930s
See also : Cars Cars II Mercedes-Benz Germany II US cars Duesenberg French cars British cars Italian cars
Chronology : 1931 1933 1936 1937 1939
Chronology : 1931 1933 1936 1937 1939
1931 The Long Wheelbase Duesenberg
2011 SOLD 10.3 M$ including premium
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 comes in the sale held in Pebble Beach on 20 and 21 August by Gooding. Totaling less than 20,000 km, it is in perfect working order.
POST SALE COMMENT
Sold $ 10.3 million including premium, this car has certainly exceeded the most optimistic hopes. The press release issued before sale had been particularly enthusiastic.
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 comes in the sale held in Pebble Beach on 20 and 21 August by Gooding. Totaling less than 20,000 km, it is in perfect working order.
POST SALE COMMENT
Sold $ 10.3 million including premium, this car has certainly exceeded the most optimistic hopes. The press release issued before sale had been particularly enthusiastic.
1932 The Roadsters of Jean Bugatti
2016 SOLD for $ 10.4M including premium
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. Designed by Jean, this roadster introduces an increased elegance within the Bugatti range. 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 is estimated $ 10M for sale by Gooding on August 21 in Pebble Beach, lot 135. It is illustrated along with other cars of its time in the press release.
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. Designed by Jean, this roadster introduces an increased elegance within the Bugatti range. 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 is estimated $ 10M for sale by Gooding on August 21 in Pebble Beach, lot 135. It is illustrated along with other cars of its time in the press release.
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.
1933 A New Strategy for Alfa Romeo
2016 SOLD for $ 12M including premium
On August 21 in Pebble Beach, Gooding sells an Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 Monza, lot 128 estimated $ 12M. Here is the link to the press release.
This car had been sold for $ 6.7M including premium by the same auction house at lot 117 on August 15, 2010 and had been discussed at that time in this column. It had been illustrated in the article shared by Sports Car Digest
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 nickname Monza originally applied to the short chassis version of the 8C 2300 since 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.
Please watch the video shared by Gooding.
This car had been sold for $ 6.7M including premium by the same auction house at lot 117 on August 15, 2010 and had been discussed at that time in this column. It had been illustrated in the article shared by Sports Car Digest
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 nickname Monza originally applied to the short chassis version of the 8C 2300 since 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.
Please watch the video shared by Gooding.
1936 The Von Krieger Mercedes
2012 SOLD 11.8 M$ including premium
In the sale of 18 and 19 August in Pebble Beach, Gooding has a wonder: a car from the most beautiful German model of the 1930s, owned and driven by one of the most elegant young ladies of the time, retaining its original equipment.
In 1936, Mercedes-Benz unveil their new high-end model, the 540K, offered with a variety of bodywork according to the custom of the time.
The 540K Spezial Roadster, a two-seater convertible, was then the supreme elegance regarding automobiles. It can still claim the title: the specimen of the Mann collection was sold $ 9.7 million including premium by RM Auctions on August 20, 2011, an exceptional price for a road car.
This variant is the masterpiece of the designer Hermann Ahrens. Its tapered shape, with the door in alignment of the covers, gives an illusion of lightness that fully compensates the large dimensions of its 5.15 m long chassis.
Known as a lover of beautiful cars, a Prussian aristocrat named von Krieger bought this Spezial Roadster as early as 1936 to his two children, but it was to his daughter Gisela, 23, to monopolize it for supporting her social life.
Then came the war. Baroness Gisela hid her car and then went to a reclusive life. After her death in 1989, her wonderful car was retrieved intact, with driving maps, lipstick-stained cigarette butts and silk gloves used by its owner four decades earlier.
The car is illustrated in the article shared by Sports Car Digest.
POST SALE COMMENT
In recent years, the Mercedes 540K Spezial Roadsters prance at the highest level of pre-war cars at auction. On October 31, 2007, at a time when the pound was strong, one of them was sold £ 3.9 million including premium by RM Auctions and Sotheby's.
I already mentioned above the unit sold for $ 9.7 million last year.
The Mercedes of the Baroness had been a time capsule during four decades, and benefited of a careful pre-sale presentation to the media. It had all the qualities to become the best. It is done: $ 11.8 million including premium.
In 1936, Mercedes-Benz unveil their new high-end model, the 540K, offered with a variety of bodywork according to the custom of the time.
The 540K Spezial Roadster, a two-seater convertible, was then the supreme elegance regarding automobiles. It can still claim the title: the specimen of the Mann collection was sold $ 9.7 million including premium by RM Auctions on August 20, 2011, an exceptional price for a road car.
This variant is the masterpiece of the designer Hermann Ahrens. Its tapered shape, with the door in alignment of the covers, gives an illusion of lightness that fully compensates the large dimensions of its 5.15 m long chassis.
Known as a lover of beautiful cars, a Prussian aristocrat named von Krieger bought this Spezial Roadster as early as 1936 to his two children, but it was to his daughter Gisela, 23, to monopolize it for supporting her social life.
Then came the war. Baroness Gisela hid her car and then went to a reclusive life. After her death in 1989, her wonderful car was retrieved intact, with driving maps, lipstick-stained cigarette butts and silk gloves used by its owner four decades earlier.
The car is illustrated in the article shared by Sports Car Digest.
POST SALE COMMENT
In recent years, the Mercedes 540K Spezial Roadsters prance at the highest level of pre-war cars at auction. On October 31, 2007, at a time when the pound was strong, one of them was sold £ 3.9 million including premium by RM Auctions and Sotheby's.
I already mentioned above the unit sold for $ 9.7 million last year.
The Mercedes of the Baroness had been a time capsule during four decades, and benefited of a careful pre-sale presentation to the media. It had all the qualities to become the best. It is done: $ 11.8 million including premium.
1937 The Hypercar of the 1930s
2016 SOLD for $ 9.9M including premium
Mercedes-Benz designed and produced the automotive masterpiece of the 1930s, the 540K Special Roadster. It is not an isolated element in the catalog but really the top of a range. It is the biggest, the most powerful, the fastest, the most beautiful and the most expensive.
Its engine 5.4 liter with compressor is the achievement of a technical evolution that will have no following. The project of a 580K with an increase to 5.8 liters aborted.
It is the biggest, 5.10 m long, but its open cabin as a two-seater convertible is light. The weight gain enables a top speed at 185 km / h which is 25 km / h more than a 540K in a closed bodywork.
Aesthetically, it is a marvel due to the skill of the team of Hermann Ahrens and the engineers in Sindelfingen : its tapered shape makes forget its huge size. It has a long tail, which allows to state that it anticipates by eight decades the hypercars of today with the cockpit centered on the chassis.
It is the most expensive: 28,000 Reichsmarks, which is 6,000 Reichsmarks more than any other model. This is an advantage because it appeals the elite as a car for prestige and parade, although nothing prevents pushing the performance of this roadster on an Autobahn.
The political events in Germany did not prevent Mercedes-Benz to maintain an international clientele. The 540K Special Roadster for sale by RM Sotheby's in Phoenix on January 29 had been delivered in April 1937 to an American dealer who sold it immediately to a collector, happy heir of one of the largest industrial fortunes.
This original collector car was rarely driven. It is estimated $ 10M,lot 242. Keep in mind that the car from the same model that had been found intact in 1989 in the estate of the Baroness von Krieger was sold for $ 11,8M including premium by Gooding on August 18, 2012, a very high price for a car at that time.
I invite you to watch the video shared by the auction house.
Its engine 5.4 liter with compressor is the achievement of a technical evolution that will have no following. The project of a 580K with an increase to 5.8 liters aborted.
It is the biggest, 5.10 m long, but its open cabin as a two-seater convertible is light. The weight gain enables a top speed at 185 km / h which is 25 km / h more than a 540K in a closed bodywork.
Aesthetically, it is a marvel due to the skill of the team of Hermann Ahrens and the engineers in Sindelfingen : its tapered shape makes forget its huge size. It has a long tail, which allows to state that it anticipates by eight decades the hypercars of today with the cockpit centered on the chassis.
It is the most expensive: 28,000 Reichsmarks, which is 6,000 Reichsmarks more than any other model. This is an advantage because it appeals the elite as a car for prestige and parade, although nothing prevents pushing the performance of this roadster on an Autobahn.
The political events in Germany did not prevent Mercedes-Benz to maintain an international clientele. The 540K Special Roadster for sale by RM Sotheby's in Phoenix on January 29 had been delivered in April 1937 to an American dealer who sold it immediately to a collector, happy heir of one of the largest industrial fortunes.
This original collector car was rarely driven. It is estimated $ 10M,lot 242. Keep in mind that the car from the same model that had been found intact in 1989 in the estate of the Baroness von Krieger was sold for $ 11,8M including premium by Gooding on August 18, 2012, a very high price for a car at that time.
I invite you to watch the video shared by the auction house.
1937 British Elegance for a Bugatti
2016 SOLD for $ 9.7M including premium
The Type 57 introduced by Bugatti in 1934 invites for any elegance. With a lowered chassis designed in 1937 under the reference 57S, this luxury model belongs firmly to the category of sports cars.
Various bodies are proposed by Bugatti for the 57 or 57S: Galibier berline, Ventoux coach, Stelvio and Aravis cabriolets, Atalante and Atlantic coupés. They are manufactured in Colmar by Gangloff, a subcontractor of Bugatti.
In the practice of that time, the outsourcing of the body is also accepted by the brand. In 1937, the new Bugatti agent in New York commissions a four-seater touring roadster which is made by Vanden Plas in the minimalist style of the British taste.
No American customer is interested and the Bugatti - Vanden Plas car returns to London. It is appreciated by Bugatti who pictures it in the 1937-1938 catalog and exhibits it at the 1938 London Motor Show, but it will nevertheless remain unique.
The car resurfaced slightly modified in 1947 as a Type 57SC sports tourer. It is supercharged, a very attractive option for the users because the car can now reach 190 km/h. Its compressor will be replaced later by a similar equipment more in accordance with the original design of a Type 57SC.
This masterpiece of the Franco-British pre-war automobile is estimated $ 11M for sale by Bonhams in Amelia Island on March 10, lot 139. The estimate, not indicated in the catalog, is revealed by the press release of February 17. Its perfect working condition is shown in the video shared by the auction house.
Various bodies are proposed by Bugatti for the 57 or 57S: Galibier berline, Ventoux coach, Stelvio and Aravis cabriolets, Atalante and Atlantic coupés. They are manufactured in Colmar by Gangloff, a subcontractor of Bugatti.
In the practice of that time, the outsourcing of the body is also accepted by the brand. In 1937, the new Bugatti agent in New York commissions a four-seater touring roadster which is made by Vanden Plas in the minimalist style of the British taste.
No American customer is interested and the Bugatti - Vanden Plas car returns to London. It is appreciated by Bugatti who pictures it in the 1937-1938 catalog and exhibits it at the 1938 London Motor Show, but it will nevertheless remain unique.
The car resurfaced slightly modified in 1947 as a Type 57SC sports tourer. It is supercharged, a very attractive option for the users because the car can now reach 190 km/h. Its compressor will be replaced later by a similar equipment more in accordance with the original design of a Type 57SC.
This masterpiece of the Franco-British pre-war automobile is estimated $ 11M for sale by Bonhams in Amelia Island on March 10, lot 139. The estimate, not indicated in the catalog, is revealed by the press release of February 17. Its perfect working condition is shown in the video shared by the auction house.
1937 The High-End Car by Mercedes-Benz
2011 SOLD 9.7 M$ including premium
The political rivalry between France and Germany in the late 1930's is well known. With regard to the cars, it has resulted in fierce competition for both racing and high-end models.
The Mercedes-Benz 540K was contemporary with the Bugatti 57S. The brand of Sindelfingen equipped a small number of 540K chassis as roadsters, while the brand of Molsheim assembled the Atlantic coupe on the chassis 57S. While the Atlantic has an extraordinary futuristic shape, the 540K roadster, which is a two-seater convertible, has an extraordinary classical beauty.
A metallic gray specimen of 540K Spezial Roadster, made in 1937 with high doors and a long tail, is for sale on August 20 by RM Auctions in Monterey. The press release indicated that there are only three surviving examples of this type, and that this one will go into history as one of the most expensive cars ever sold at auction.
It is illustrated on the top of the page in the article shared by Sports Car Digest.
POST SALE COMMENT
It is always nice to have a great price on an exceptional vehicle: $ 8.8 million before fees, 9.7 million including premium.
The Mercedes-Benz 540K was contemporary with the Bugatti 57S. The brand of Sindelfingen equipped a small number of 540K chassis as roadsters, while the brand of Molsheim assembled the Atlantic coupe on the chassis 57S. While the Atlantic has an extraordinary futuristic shape, the 540K roadster, which is a two-seater convertible, has an extraordinary classical beauty.
A metallic gray specimen of 540K Spezial Roadster, made in 1937 with high doors and a long tail, is for sale on August 20 by RM Auctions in Monterey. The press release indicated that there are only three surviving examples of this type, and that this one will go into history as one of the most expensive cars ever sold at auction.
It is illustrated on the top of the page in the article shared by Sports Car Digest.
POST SALE COMMENT
It is always nice to have a great price on an exceptional vehicle: $ 8.8 million before fees, 9.7 million including premium.
1937 The Lowered Chassis by Jean Bugatti
2013 SOLD 8.7 M$ including premium
Jean Bugatti was one of the great innovators of automobile design. The lowered variant 57S of the chassis type 57 paves the way for unprecedented solutions for sport and luxury, like the 57S Atalante and Atlantic. From the beginning their rarity makes them true works of art.
The ultimate improvement of the Bugatti 57 is the supercharged SC model. Dr. Williamson had one of the two surviving Bugatti 57SC Atlantic and one 57SC Atalante. His Atlantic was sold for more than $ 30M in a private sale facilitated by Gooding in 2010. His Atalante was sold for $ 7.9 million including premium at auction in August 2008, also by Gooding.
The supercharger was an appealing enhancement for the richest clients of Bugatti, and a high proportion of 57S were transformed into 57SC.
On August 18 at Pebble Beach Gooding sells an Atalante that has retained its original engine and body and is presented in an elegant original-like black finish. It was made in 1937, the same year as Williamson's Atalante, and was one of the first units to return to the factory for being equipped as an SC.
Here is the link to the catalog.
POST SALE COMMENT
Very good result, $ 8.7 million including premium, just above Williamson's Atalante sold in 2008.
The ultimate improvement of the Bugatti 57 is the supercharged SC model. Dr. Williamson had one of the two surviving Bugatti 57SC Atlantic and one 57SC Atalante. His Atlantic was sold for more than $ 30M in a private sale facilitated by Gooding in 2010. His Atalante was sold for $ 7.9 million including premium at auction in August 2008, also by Gooding.
The supercharger was an appealing enhancement for the richest clients of Bugatti, and a high proportion of 57S were transformed into 57SC.
On August 18 at Pebble Beach Gooding sells an Atalante that has retained its original engine and body and is presented in an elegant original-like black finish. It was made in 1937, the same year as Williamson's Atalante, and was one of the first units to return to the factory for being equipped as an SC.
Here is the link to the catalog.
POST SALE COMMENT
Very good result, $ 8.7 million including premium, just above Williamson's Atalante sold in 2008.
1937 Twelve Bugattis including an Atalante coupé
2008 SOLD 7.9 M$ including premium
The sale will take place on 16 and 17 August, but fans of Bugatti are already watching toward Pebble Beach, California. At these dates Gooding will disperse a collection of twelve Bugattis, including a 57SC Atalante coupe of 1937, and a 35B of 1928 whose first owner was Louis Chiron, one of the most successful racing drivers of these ancient times.
This collection from an estate is unique in the range of models and the personality of their former owner, a professor of medicine whose passion for automobiles were raised exclusively for that mark and who was president of the American Bugatti Club. The proceeds from the sale will go to medical organizations.
Indeed there is no Bugatti Royale in this group, but Bugatti was renowned to produce at the same time models of luxury and race, and the two top lots of the sale, mentioned here above, are not bad either.
All these vehicles are announced as being in exceptional condition, and the auction house announced to expect more than $ 15 million. The individual estimates are not given, but we easily appreciate from these figures that the coupé and the race car prices will be multimillionaire. The same can be said of a third car, a roadster type 55, 1931, which enters the short list of the lots highlighted in the press release.
POST SALE COMMENT
Excellent results.
The Atalante coupe, which is one of the masterpieces of Bugatti, was sold $ 7.9 million.
The other two cars mentioned in my article also well behaved: Chiron's 35 B has been sold $ 1.45 million and the 55 roadster was sold $ 1.75 million.
These prices are including fees.
This collection from an estate is unique in the range of models and the personality of their former owner, a professor of medicine whose passion for automobiles were raised exclusively for that mark and who was president of the American Bugatti Club. The proceeds from the sale will go to medical organizations.
Indeed there is no Bugatti Royale in this group, but Bugatti was renowned to produce at the same time models of luxury and race, and the two top lots of the sale, mentioned here above, are not bad either.
All these vehicles are announced as being in exceptional condition, and the auction house announced to expect more than $ 15 million. The individual estimates are not given, but we easily appreciate from these figures that the coupé and the race car prices will be multimillionaire. The same can be said of a third car, a roadster type 55, 1931, which enters the short list of the lots highlighted in the press release.
POST SALE COMMENT
Excellent results.
The Atalante coupe, which is one of the masterpieces of Bugatti, was sold $ 7.9 million.
The other two cars mentioned in my article also well behaved: Chiron's 35 B has been sold $ 1.45 million and the 55 roadster was sold $ 1.75 million.
These prices are including fees.
1939 A Spider by Alfa Romeo and Touring
2016 SOLD for $ 19.8M including premium
Under the direct control of the Italian government, Alfa Romeo improves the performance of its luxury and sports cars throughout the 1930s. The 6-cylinder version (6C) grows in several stages from 1750 to 2500 cc. Aimed at the high end, the 8-cylinder version (8C), created in 1931 with 2300 cc, is fitted with 2900 cc from 1935. The 8C 2900B is available in two lengths from 1937 : Corto and Lungo.
Alfa Romeo has special relationships with two body shops that offer dissimilar products. A 8C 2900B assembled by Pinin Farina in cabriolet was sold for $ 4,07M including premium by Christie's on August 28, 1999, a great price for that time.
In Milan, Carrozzeria Touring patented in 1936 theSuperleggera technology. Alfa Romeo actively supports this development that must enable its Lungo variant to compete advantageously with the too massive Mercedes-Benz 540K. The war interrupted this activity. Note however that in 1939 Alfa Romeo is already offering the features that will make the success of sports cars after the war: the spider from as early as 1931, and the berlinetta.
On August 20 in Monterey, RM Sotheby's sells the culmination of this evolution : an 8C 2900B Lungo bodied in spider superleggera by Touring. It is estimated $ 20M, lot 234.
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 2900B series.
Please watch the video shared by Sotheby's TV and another videoshared by RM introducing five vehicles from the Mann collection.
Alfa Romeo has special relationships with two body shops that offer dissimilar products. A 8C 2900B assembled by Pinin Farina in cabriolet was sold for $ 4,07M including premium by Christie's on August 28, 1999, a great price for that time.
In Milan, Carrozzeria Touring patented in 1936 theSuperleggera technology. Alfa Romeo actively supports this development that must enable its Lungo variant to compete advantageously with the too massive Mercedes-Benz 540K. The war interrupted this activity. Note however that in 1939 Alfa Romeo is already offering the features that will make the success of sports cars after the war: the spider from as early as 1931, and the berlinetta.
On August 20 in Monterey, RM Sotheby's sells the culmination of this evolution : an 8C 2900B Lungo bodied in spider superleggera by Touring. It is estimated $ 20M, lot 234.
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 2900B series.
Please watch the video shared by Sotheby's TV and another videoshared by RM introducing five vehicles from the Mann collection.