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 with 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, who 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 Le Mans 24 Hours.
The creation of an automobile which could win in international competition was usually the inspiration of one passionate man, an engineer, a genius, who put 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:Bugatti — Ettore Bugatti, and Alfa Romeo — 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 — the Le Mans 24 Hour Classic, Mille Miglia Storica, Monaco Historique Grand Prix 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 |
Aston Martin Le Mans
Founded by Lionel Martin in 1914, Aston Martin is on of the oldest automotive companies still active today. Purchased in 1926 by Augustus Bertelli, an engineer, Aston quickly became known for its well-built sports and racing cars and had international racing success in 1931, finishing 5thoverall and winning the 1,500-cc class at the 24 hours of Le Mans. This same finish was accomplished again in 1932 and 1933, this against the might of Alfa Romeo. A series of just over 100 examples of the 2 and 2/4 seater Le Mans were built to celebrate Aston’s Le Mans success. The coachwork was by E. Bertelli LTD. The cars were fitted with cycle wings, which turned with the wheels. This was a low chassis design and evolved into the second and third series, as well as the Ulster Mark II—all were powered by a Bertelli-designed 1,495-cc SOHC engine. These are sleek, well-built and exciting cars.
Alfa Romeo Tipo B P3
For the 1932 season, racing organizers decreased the length of Grands Prix from 10 hours, down to five and made engine displacement, essentially unlimited. As a result, Alfa Romeo created a new, single-seater based around an expanded 8c2300 engine (2,654-cc) driving the rear wheels through a split final drive that featured two individual driveshafts and crown wheels. The result was a 750-kg monoposto that produced as much as 330-hp by 1934.
The car’s maiden outing was the 1932 Italian Grand Prix at Monza where, in prewar Alfa tradition, it won in the hands of the legendary driver Nuvolari. This new model, named the Type B P3, went on to score 44 major race wins from 1932–1935, with the likes of Nuvolari, Campari, Caracciola, Fagioli, Chiron, Dreyfus and others at the wheel. In all, 15 examples were built and, in light of its significant history and pedigree, these cars rank as one of the most desirable and collectible of all prewar monopostos.
