From the very beginning of the automobile, men with a passion for speed and technology built cars to compete. These 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 like 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 put all of his design and engineering skills toward his goals. Today these pre-war masterpieces are highly sought after by the sophisticated collector.
These cars 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. This reality often brings the remaining total down to less than 10 good surviving examples of a particular model.
1926 Delage 15S8
Louis Delage, an ambitious young engineer who had worked for Peugeot, started the Delage Automobile Company in 1905 to design and build cars of a very high quality with engineer Augustin LeGros in Levallois, a suburb of Paris, France.
Although coach built road cars were also produced, competition success started in 1909, with wins in the Grand Prix of Boulogne, Lyon and other events. In 1914, Rene Thomas won the Indianapolis 500 driving a Delage, but production stopped during WWI. After the war, five 2-liter V12 cars were built in 1923 – 1925. The first ever British Grand Prix was won by a Delage 155B in 1926. In 1927, Albert Lory designed the ultimate 1.5 liter Grand Prix car for Delage, the 15S8. It was powered by an in-line straight 8 cylinder engine with a single roots super charger, producing 170 BHP at 8000 RPM. Its engine itself was an engineering marvel with a billet crankshaft, roller bearings and dual overhead camshafts. Oil flow was through a dry sump. Gearbox was a 5 speed with overdrive.
The 1927 Grand Prix Delage was an example of the engineering excellence of this small company. Its light chassis, good handling and exceptional power allowed it to dominate Grand Prix racing, winning every Grand Prix – British, French, Spanish and Italian – and became “Champion du Monde” in 1927 – a fantastic accomplishment!
The Delage 15S8 was such an exceptional design, it was raced in 1929 by Louis Chiron in the Indianapolis 500 to a 7th place finish. Then, in 1932, Earl Howe of Bentley era and BRDC fame went on to win races in a 15S8 at Brooklands, Avus and the Nurburgring. In 1936, the 15S8, now 10 years old, was raced by Richard Seaman in the 1500 Voiturette class to six victories, including the Isle of Man RAC and Donnington 200 mile. This, before the Eyes of Neubauer and Mercedes, which landed Seaman his Silver Arrows drive.
Only four 15S8 cars were built. They were clearly a match for Bugatti and Alfa Romeo at the time. Today it is a rare sight to see one in competition, or up for sale.
1935 Lagonda M45R Rapide / Le Mans
Wilbur Gunn of Lagonda first started manufacturing motorcycles in the early 1900s, but in 1907 the company built its first car called Lagonda. Lagonda cars first took part in serious competition in 1910. This early racing heritage led to the greatest success for this small, English auto manufacturer with an outright victory at the 1935 24 Hours of Le Mans, where Hindmarsh and Fontes won in the 4.5-liter Rapide. This 6-cylinder, 4.5-liter Meadows engine, in a special shorter chassis, was capable of up to 100 mph. Surprisingly, from its humble motorcycle beginnings, Lagonda had broken Alfa Romeo’s four-year win streak at Le Mans. As with many auto manufacturers in the 1930s, Lagonda fell on hard times. In 1935, Alan Good bought Lagonda, narrowly outbidding Rolls-Royce. Soon, W. O. Bentley was hired and became Lagonda’s head engineer. Bentley’s masterpiece was the 4.5-liter V-12, launched in 1937, which in tuned form produced 200 bhp. These large, sturdy, elegant, powerful prewar cars are an example of the design genius of these individuals involved in automobile manufacturing and motor racing. In the postwar era, a road-going version of the Rapide was used in the movie and TV films The Twilight Zone, I Spy and Doctor in Distress.
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 |
