Pre-war Racecars – 2009 Market & Price Guide (Part 1)

From the very beginning of the automobile, man pursued his passion for speed and technology by building cars for competition. These early innovators belong to an elite club, their place in automotive history guaranteed as the creators of true classic sports cars, and genuine thoroughbreds.

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 applied all his design and engineering skills toward his goals.

Part One of this prewar market guide will feature some of these exciting cars, their founders and designers. Alfa Romeo’s Nicolo Romeo and Vittorio Jano, and Bugatti’s Ettore Bugatti and sons.

Today, these prewar 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.

1931 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750

Alfa Romeo was well known for its excellent handling eight-cylinder sports cars and Grand Prix cars during the 1920s and 1930s. They were designed by an engineering genius, one Vittorio Jano. However, Jano also designed a successful six-cylinder car, the 6C1750 supercharged Grandsport. The engine was an inline six-cylinder of 1750-cc displacement with twin overhead camshafts, dual Memini carburetors and supercharged to produce about 100 hp. The racing team was managed by one Enzo Ferrari. Several great drivers piloted the superb handling 6C1750 to competition successes in the Mille Miglia and Targa Florio, as well as at Monza and even Le Mans. Coachwork was available from different companies, but the later 5th and 6th series Zagato-bodied cars are the most popular. The 6C1750 is an excellent car to run in the prewar category of all events for a fraction of the price of an 8C.

BMW 328

In the early ’30s, BMW began building, what is considered by many to be their raison d’etre, the inline 6-cylinder engine. By 1936, this 1,971-cc power unit—which featured a unique single cam that drove the inlet valves directly and the exhaust valves indirectly through a cross-over pushrod—was producing more than 90 hp. This reliable engine package was placed into a twin-tubular chassis derived from the earlier 319 model, equipped with hydraulic drum brakes, independent front suspension and a compact two-seater body. The result was the 328, which began racing in 1936 and went on to score under 2-liter class wins in such important events as the Mille Miglia and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. All in all, 464 examples were built until the outbreak of World War II halted production. Ironically, the 328 would live on, postwar, as the design for the engine was given to the British Bristol car company as part of war reparations.

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.