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 true classic sports cars, genuine thoroughbreds.
The development of the racing sports car can be traced back to specific manufacturers, who at one time in history dominated motor racing, particularly the world’s most challenging road races—the Mille Miglia, Targa Florio and endurance contests like the Le Mans 24 Hours.
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.
Part One of this pre-war market guide will feature some of these exciting cars, their founders and designers: AC Cars with John Weller, and Alfa Romeo with Nicolo Romeo and Vittorio Jano.
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 worldwide— 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 | $125,000 | $150,000 | $175,000 |
| 12/40 | $125,000 | $150,000 | $175,000 | |
| Ace 16/56 | $150,000 | $200,000 | $225,000 | |
| Ace 16/66 | $175,000 | $225,000 | $250,000 | |
| Ace 16/80 – 16/90 | $275,000 | $300,000 | $325,000 | |
| Alfa Romeo | RL Targa Florio | $800,000 | $900,000 | $1,000,000 |
| 6C 1500 SS/SC | $700,000 | $800,000 | $900,000 | |
| 6C 1750 GS/SC Zagato | $1,000,000 | $1,500,000 | $2,000,000 | |
| Tipo B Monoposto P3 | $6,000,000 | $6,500,000 | $7,000,000 | |
| Tipo C Monoposto 8C35 | $4,500,000 | $5,000,000 | $5,500,000 | |
| Tipo 8C 2300 | $5,000,000 | $5,500,000 | $6,000,000 | |
| Tipo 8C 2300 Lungo (Le Mans) | $5,000,000 | $6,000,000 | $6,500,000 | |
| Tipo 8C 2300 Corto (Mille Miglia) | $6,000,000 | $7,000,000 | $7,500,000 | |
| Tipo 8C 2300 Spider Corsa (Monza) | $6,000,000 | $7,000,000 | $8,000,000 | |
| Tipo 8C 2900B Lungo | $6,000,000 | $7,000,000 | $8,000,000 | |
| Tipo 8C 2900B Corto | $7,500,000 | $8,500,000 | $9,500,000 | |
| Alvis | 4-Cyl., FWD | $250,000 | $275,000 | $300,000 |
| Amilcar | 6C | $200,000 | $250,000 | $275,000 |
| Aston Martin | Ulster Mk II | $400,000 | $450,000 | $500,000 |
| Lemans | $500,000 | $550,000 | $600,000 | |
| 2-Liter Speed Model | $275,000 | $325,000 | $350,000 | |
| Bentley | 3-Liter Speed Model | $750,000 | $850,000 | $1,000,000 |
| Big Six | $1,500,000 | $1,750,000 | $2,000,000 | |
| 4.5-Liter | $1,500,000 | $1,750,000 | $2,000,000 | |
| Speed Six | $4,000,000 | $4,500,000 | $5,000,000 | |
| 4.5-Liter Blower | $4,000,000 | $4,500,000 | $5,500,000 | |
| BMW | 328 | $600,000 | $700,000 | $750,000 |
| Bugatti | Type 35 | $2,500,000 | $3,000,000 | $3,500,000 |
| Type 37A Supercharged | $2,500,000 | $3,000,000 | $3,500,000 | |
| Type 51 | $3,000,000 | $4,000,000 | $4,500,000 | |
| Type 57SC Atalante | $5,000,000 | $5,500,000 | $6,000,000 |
Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 Monza
Nicolo Romeo founded A.L.F.A., Anonima Lombarda Fabbrica Automobili, in 1910 in Milan, Italy, with the intention of constructing cars for competition. At FIAT, Mr. Romeo found a young designer by the name of Vittorio Jano. Jano, a passionate designer, created a line of competition cars of mechanical perfection. Along with a racing consultant, Enzo Ferrari, the Alfa Romeo legend of excellent handling sports cars was born. The 8C 2300 Series, with long chassis (Le Mans) and short chassis (Monza) form, was powered by an eight-cylinder, overhead cam, supercharged engine. This car dominated sports car racing in the 1930s, winning the Le Mans 24 Hours, Mille Miglia, Monaco Grand Prix and Targa Florio. The Monza with Zagato coachwork had a shorter chassis than the Lungo or Le Mans car. It was also a true two-seater, whereas the Le Mans car had two rear seats. The Monza was very nimble, and in 2.3 and 2.6 liter form it was a race winner. Today, this great car is an example of the advanced technology of the day. One of Vittorio Jano’s great creations. A true collector car.
AC Ace 16/90
It has been over 100 years since AC cars built the Auto Carrier, a single-cylinder three-wheeler 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 1960s V8-powered AC Cobra.
The 1936 AC ACE 16/90 was an elegant and sporting two-seat open tourer known for its great road holding 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 AC 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 enjoyed great success in competition, including winning the 2.0-liter class in the Alpine Trials. When tested by Autocar it achieved 90 mph 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 through a partnership with Carroll Shelby the famous AC Cobra was born. The pre-war 16/90 was a well built, supercharged, elegant sporting car along the lines of the Jaguar SS100. Today it is a rare sight to see an AC 16/90. It is an example of the beauty and craftsmanship of the AC cars of the Pre-War era.
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 |
