From the very beginning of the automobile, man built cars to compete with a passion for speed and technology. These early innovators are in an elite club, their place in automotive history guaranteed as the creators of a true classic sports car, a genuine thoroughbred.
The development of the racing sports car can be traced to specific manufacturers, which at one time in history dominated motor racing, in particular, the world’s most challenging road races, such as the Mille Miglia, Targa Florio and endurance contests such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
The creation of an automobile that could win in international competition was usually the inspiration of one passionate man, an engineer, a genius, who applied all of his design and engineering skills toward his goals.
Part one of this pre-war market guide will feature some of these exciting cars, their founders and designers. At Bugatti there was Ettore Bugatti, while Alfa Romeo had Nicolo Romeo.
Today, these pre-war masterpieces are highly sought after by the sophisticated collector. They and their current owners are often invited to partake in the most prestigious historic racing venues world-wide, including the Le Mans 24 Hour Classic, Mille Miglia Storica, Monaco Grand Prix Historique and the Targa Florio, to name but a few.
Due to the age of these cars and their racing heritage, their value is determined by their originality and provenance. Old cars built up from parts are not the same as true complete survivors. In many cases, this attrition can bring the remaining total down to less than ten good surviving examples of a particular model.
| Make | Model | Level III | Level II | Level I |
| AC | 12/24 | $100,000 | $125,000 | $175,000 |
| 12/40 | $100,000 | $125,000 | $175,000 | |
| Ace 16/56 | $125,000 | $175,000 | $225,000 | |
| Ace 16/66 | $150,000 | $200,000 | $250,000 | |
| Ace 16/80 – 16/90 | $175,000 | $225,000 | $275,000 | |
| Alfa Romeo | RL Targa Florio | $1,000,000 | $1,200,000 | $1,500,000 |
| 6C 1500 SS/SC | $1,000,000 | $1,200,000 | $1,500,000 | |
| 6C 1750 GS/SC Zagato | $1,500,000 | $2,500,000 | $3,000,000 | |
| Tipo B Monoposto P3 | $8,000,000 | $9,000,000 | $11,000,000 | |
| Tipo C Monoposto 8C35 | $6,000,000 | $8,000,000 | $10,000,000 | |
| Tipo 8C 2300 | $6,000,000 | $8,000,000 | $10,000,000 | |
| Tipo 8C 2300 Lungo (Le Mans) | $8,000,000 | $10,000,000 | $12,000,000 | |
| Tipo 8C 2300 Corto (Mille Miglia) | $8,000,000 | $11,000,000 | $13,000,000 | |
| Tipo 8C 2300 Spider Corsa (Monza) | $9,000,000 | $11,000,000 | $14,000,000 | |
| Tipo 8C 2900B Lungo | $14,000,000 | $17,000,000 | $19,000,000 | |
| Tipo 8C 2900B Corto | $14,000,000 | $17,000,000 | $19,000,000 | |
| Alvis | 4-Cyl., FWD | $250,000 | $300,000 | $350,000 |
| Amilcar | 6C | $200,000 | $250,000 | $300,000 |
| Aston Martin | Ulster Mk II | $600,000 | $700,000 | $800,000 |
| Lemans | $700,000 | $800,000 | $900,000 | |
| 2-Liter Speed Model | $400,000 | $500,000 | $600,000 | |
| Bentley | 3-Liter Speed Model | $1,000,000 | $1,300,000 | $1,500,000 |
| Big Six | $2,000,000 | $2,300,000 | $2,500,000 | |
| 4.5-Liter | $2,000,000 | $2,300,000 | $2,500,000 | |
| Speed Six | $5,000,000 | $5,500,000 | $6,500,000 | |
| 4.5-Liter Blower | $6,000,000 | $7,000,000 | $8,000,000 | |
| BMW | 328 | $1,000,000 | $1,200,000 | $1,300,000 |
| Bugatti | Type 35 | $2,000,000 | $2,500,000 | $3,000,000 |
| Type 37A Supercharged | $2,500,000 | $3,000,000 | $3,500,000 | |
| Type 51 | $4,000,000 | $5,000,000 | $5,500,000 | |
| Type 57SC Atalante | $7,500,000 | $8,500,000 | $9,000,000 |
AC Ace 16/90
It has been more than 100 years since AC Cars built the Auto Carrier, a single-cylinder three-wheeled delivery vehicle, in 1904. The name AC was taken from the initials of the first vehicle, and has been in use since. Through a variety of company owners, AC built some wonderful pre-war, rally, and touring cars, the post-war six-cylinder AC Bristol roadster and the V8-powered AC Cobra from the 1960s.
The 1936 AC ACE 16/90 was an elegant and sporting two-seat open tourer known for its great roadholding and sporting characteristics. It used a variant of the inline six-cylinder engine designed by founder John Weller, mated to a four-speed gearbox. This unique engine was used by AC for decades.
The 16/90 was a supercharged version of the 16/80, and it produced about 100 bhp. During its four-year life, the 16/80, 16/90 series had great success in competition, including winning the 2.0 liter class in the Alpine Trials. When tested by Autocar it achieved 90mph with the windscreen folded down.
AC, this great car company in Thames Ditton, contributed to the war effort by making shells and fuses. After WWII, car production continued, but in a different style and direction with a more conservative sedan. Then the beautiful AC Roadster was produced, and a partnership with Carroll Shelby brought about the birth of the famous AC Cobra. The pre-war 16/90 was a well built, supercharged, elegant sporting car along the lines of the Jaguar SS100. Today it is rare to see an AC 16/90, yet it is an example of the beauty and craftsmanship of the AC cars of the Pre-War era.
Bentley Speed Six
W.O. Bentley, founder of Bentley Motors Ltd. near London, was an automotive designer with tremendous technical knowledge and high standards. His cars were extremely well-built, reliable and fast. W.O. had a clear vision for his cars and his company, and his standards were visible in the cars’ construction and competition success. With the introduction of the new six-cylinder engine, a new model was to follow, the Speed Six. The Speed Six had a sturdy ladder frame, was powered by an inline 6.5-liter engine, mated to a four-speed gearbox, a solid rear axle, running on large wire wheels with drum brakes. They were available with different coachwork, and were magnificent in both touring and race trim. They were built from 1926-1930. Bentley having won the Le Mans 24 Hour endurance race from 1926-1928 and, in the Speed Six, had a car capable of winning again in 1929-1930—a stunning achievement. This added up to a to a total of five Le Mans wins for Bentley in the 1920s, and inspired Ettore Bugatti to remark that W.O. Bentley built the most reliable and fastest trucks in the world. Woolf Barnato, the Bentley Chairman, successful businessman and diamond mining heir, headed the team of Bentley Boys in their adventures. One such creative challenge was Barnato saying that the Speed Six could get him from the French Riviera to London before the deluxe “Le Train Bleu” Mediterranean Express train (with blue railroad cars) could get from the Riviera to Calais. Racing through the night, Barnato arrived first in London before the train arrived in Calais and the Blue Train Special legend was born.
This is a further example of Bentley’s stunning performance and reliability. A point Barnato wished to make. Bentley is a special marque, and the Speed Six is an icon from a golden age of motorsports, making it a must-own car for the collector of pre-war cars. To see one today reminds one how Bentley achieved the marvelous reputation it has.
Criteria Used For Assessing Valuations for this Guide:
- Degree of Originality
- Overall Condition, Restoration
- Technology, Design, Coachbuilder
- Production Numbers/Rarity
- Competition History
- Ownership History, Documentation
- Modern Event Eligibility
Regional Variances
The prices stated in this guide are based on U.S. values. The values of historic racing cars can vary as much as 25%-35% in other countries, depending on local market appeal, currency rates, import duties, and VAT. Most of the time, we are able to document known sales or closed escrows, as they say in real estate. When this is not possible, a logical estimate of the car’s value is given, based on its sales history and relationship to cars of its type.
The prices stated in this guide are based on U.S. values. The values of historic racing cars can vary as much as 25%-35% in other countries, depending on local market appeal, currency rates, import duties, and VAT.
LEVEL | VALUATION CATEGORIES |
|---|---|
I | The best combination of all criteria. |
II | Satisfies mid-range of criteria. |
III | In need of restoration. Meets only a few points of criteria |
