Monthly Archives: April 2016

Bugatti Type 35

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1925 Bugatti Type 35 Grand Prix

Offered by Bonhams | Monaco | May 13, 2016

Photo - Bonhams

Photo – Bonhams

There is so much that can be said about this car, starting with the fact that it’s one of the most iconic racing cars of its era. The Type 35 Bugatti was introduced in the latter half of 1924 and spawned multiple later variations including the Type 37.

It is powered by a 2.0-liter straight-eight producing 90 horsepower. It was sold new to someone in London, who picked the car up in France and drove it home. He quickly entered the car in various competitive events, finishing well in some of them.

The car was restored between 2007 and 2009, when an original Type 35 engine was re-installed in the car after decades of running on an Anzani engine. It was repainted to match its original color scheme and it is wearing the best wheels that a Grand Prix Bugatti possibly can. It’s a car that has been extensively used over its life, including post-restoration. Only 96 Type 35s were built, with this being 19th Grand Prix version constructed. It’s a fantastic car and should bring between $1,100,000-$1,700,000. Click here for more info and here for more from this sale.

Update: Sold $1,200,618.

Ferrari 330 America

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1963 Ferrari 330 America

Offered by Bonhams | Monaco | May 13, 2016

Photo - Bonhams

Photo – Bonhams

The 330 America was a Ferrari produced at a transitional time in Ferrari’s history. The brand was moving from its long-lived 250 line to the 275 and 330 lines. There was also an “America” line of cars. This is considered part of the 330 series and not part of the America series, despite its name.

In fact, the car actually shares its chassis with the earlier 250 GTE. But it has a newer, bigger engine, specifically a 4.0-liter V-12 making 300 horsepower (which was based on the engine from the 400 Superamerica, hence the name). It’s a four-seater with very pretty if not aggressive body work from Pininfarina. Top speed was 150 mph.

This was a one model year-only automobile, offered in 1963 only before being supplanted by the 330 GTC. And just 50 were built, with this being car #44. It was sold new (as a white car) in the U.S. and remained in North America until being shipped back to Europe in 1995, wearing a six-year-old coat of red paint from its restoration. A more recent restoration was carried out in 2001. As an exceptionally rare Ferrari road car, it should sell for between $330,000-$440,000. This is a Ferrari that still has some pretty good room for appreciation, a rare thing these days. Click here for more info and here for more from Bonhams.

Update: Sold $489,382.

Hispano-Suiza H6B

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1930 Hispano-Suiza H6B Coupe Chauffeur by Binder

Offered by RM Sotheby’s | Monaco | May 14, 2016

Photo - RM Sotheby's

Photo – RM Sotheby’s

The Hispano-Suiza was a combination of the Spanish and Swiss… so it only makes sense that a number of their greatest cars were actually built by the French. Many of the models were Spanish built, but the French firm was responsible for the H6B, H6C, HS26, K6, and J12 models.

This H6B differs from the later H6C in that it has a smaller, less powerful engine and a lower top speed. It is powered by a 135 horsepower, 6.6-liter straight-six with a top speed of 85 mph. This model was available from 1919 through 1929.

The business-like Coupe Chauffeur was a car built just for that – to be chauffeured around in. The body is by French coachbuilder Henri Binder and the restoration is described as “older.” What that means I’m not sure, but the car has been in the same collection since 1962. Click here for more info and here for more from RM.

Update: Sold $120,340.

Brush Runabout

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1909 Brush Model B Runabout

Offered by Auctions America | Auburn, Indiana | May 7, 2016

Photo - Auctions America

Photo – Auctions America

The Brush Motor Car Company was founded in 1907 on the basis that a light car didn’t need as much power to do things just as well as big, heavy, powerful cars. So, you know, like a Lotus.

The problem became that Brush was backed by Benjamin Briscoe’s brother. And when Briscoe went marque collecting for his United States Motor Company, he grabbed Brush. But Briscoe’s venture was doomed and Brush went down when its parent company did in 1913.

In 1909, Brush offered a Model A and a Model B. The Runabout was the only body style offered on the Model B. It is powered by a 20-ish horsepower single-cylinder engine and cost $500 when new. Everything on this car is bright red and it just looks like a museum car – which it is. It should sell for between $20,000 and $30,000. Click here for more info and here for more from this sale.

Update: Sold $9,900.

SCAT Torpedo

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1914 SCAT Tipo 14-1 Torpedo by Solaro

Offered by RM Sotheby’s | Monaco | May 14, 2016

Photo - RM Sotheby's

Photo – RM Sotheby’s

The Ceirano Brothers were pretty big players in the early days of the Italian automobile industry. They were responsible for the birth of the following brands: Ceirano, S.T.A.R., Itala, S.P.A., Fiat (technically), and SCAT. Societa Ceirano Automobili Torino (SCAT) was founded in 1906 by Giovanni Ceirano. It lasted through 1929.

They built a solid reputation for sportiness and power: between 1911 and 1914 the company won the Targa Florio twice. This is a Model 18/30 HP and it was built between 1914 and 1916. It is powered by a 38 horsepower, 3.6-liter straight-four. The car is a Torpedo tourer with seating for five, six, or seven.

It is not original but whatever work has been done (including the paint) was done long ago. It still looks great and would likely be a lot of fun. It has serious pedigree and is from a mostly forgotten manufacturer. Click here for more info and here for more from this sale.

Update: Sold $48,135.

Mercedes-Benz 130H

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1935 Mercedes-Benz 130H

Offered by Oldtimer Galerie | Toffen, Switzerland | April 23, 2016

Photo - Oldtimer Galerie

Photo – Oldtimer Galerie

If you think of Mercedes-Benz and the 1930s, you might come up with big, beautiful cars like the the 500/540K or something even larger. But Mercedes had a full range of cars on sale, including this, the 130H.

This range represented the smallest cars available from Mercedes-Benz in the day. The 130H was offered alongside the 150H and 170H (both of which had more power) – making this the baby. It is powered by a 1.3-liter straight-four making 25 horsepower. The engine was mounted in the rear, driving the rear wheels. The suspension was such that the car rode very well, but handled extremely poorly. This is the sedan model (other body styles were also offered).

It was only produced between 1934 and 1936, with just 4,298 cars built in total. It’s a very rare model today and this one, while restored a while ago, has had recent engine service. This was a German every man’s car for the 1930s and it should bring between $35,500-$37,500. Click here for more info and here for more from this sale.

1925 Donnet-Zedel

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1925 Donnet-Zedel Type G Saloon

Offered by Brightwells | Leominster, U.K. | May 11, 2016

Photo - Brightwells

Photo – Brightwells

Donnet-Zedel has an interesting history. They started life as Donnet-Denhaut and they made amphibious airplanes. So I guess the next logical step would be to produce cars. So when Francois Denhaut left the partnership with Jerome Donnet in 1919, Donnet turned around and bought Automobiles Zedel, another French company.

The company lasted through 1934 and their factory was bought by Simca. The Type G was introduced in 1925 and it is powered by a 1.1-liter straight-four making 20 horsepower.

The Type G was built in two series (G1 and G2) with this, the G1 lasting from 1925 through 1926. About 4,600 were built and only about 40 remain. Different body styles were offered and this is a two-door sedan, which, while not exotic or sporty, makes it affordable. Look for a sale price of between $13,500-$16,500. Click here for more info and here for the rest of Brightwells’ lineup.

Update: Not sold.

Panther Kallista

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1984 Panther Kallista Turbo

Offered by Oldtimer Galerie | Toffen, Switzerland | April 23, 2016

Photo - Oldtimer Galerie

Photo – Oldtimer Galerie

Panther Westwinds was an English car company that built some strange cars during their existence. The Kallista was a retro-looking model that was very similar to the company’s earlier car, the Lima.

Panther actually built their cars, even though they were based around other models and some might mistake them for kit cars. The Kallista could be had with a variety of Ford engines. This car carries a 2.8-liter Ford V-6 that has apparently been turbocharged. Output is about 213 horsepower.

Panther built this model from 1982 through 1990 (but produced continued in South Korea by SsangYong from ’90-’93). We’re unsure on total production for this model, but it is said that this is the only such model in Switzerland. It should bring between $29,350-$33,500. Click here for more info and here for more from this sale.

De Tomaso Vallelunga

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1968 De Tomaso Vallelunga Coupe

Offered by Bonhams | Monaco | May 13, 2016

Photo - Bonhams

Photo – Bonhams

Alejandro De Tomaso’s little car company – that lasted an impressive 40+ years – built a number of cars over the years, most famously the Pantera. But a decade before the Pantera debuted, De Tomaso introduced their first road car, the Vallelunga (named after a race track near Rome).

Built between 1964 and 1968, the Vallelunga is powered by a rear-mid-mounted Ford 1.5-liter straight-four making 104 horsepower. The body, built by Ghia, is fiberglass and the whole car only weighs 1,600 lbs.

This particular car had an extensive restoration that was completed prior to the 2004 show season. 50 road cars were built (along with three prototypes and five racing cars). It’s quite rare and should bring between $360,000-$410,000. Click here for more info and here for more from Bonhams in Monaco.

Update: Not sold.

Ghia 450 SS

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1967 Ghia 450 SS

Offered by Worldwide Auctioneers | Houston, Texas | April 23, 2016

Photo - Worldwide Auctioneers

Photo – Worldwide Auctioneers

Carrozzeria Ghia is primarily known as a coachbuilder that was founded in Turin in 1916 by Giacinto Ghia. Ghia bodies have appeared on cars from many marques, from Alfa Romeo to Volkswagen to a series of Chrysler cars. There was a short period of time where the company built a few of their own cars. Three models to be exact, with this being the sportiest.

The 450 SS was a convertible (with removable hard top) that was offered between 1966 and 1967. It started as a concept car where Ghia put a convertible body on a Fiat 2100 sedan. A Hollywood producer convinced Ghia to put it into production, using a 235 horsepower, 4.5-liter Chrysler V-8 instead of whatever Fiat powerplant they were considering. The stuff underneath was now based on a Plymouth Barracuda.

Think of it as an Italian muscle car (like the Iso Grifo). They only built 56 of these and it is believed that about 26 remain. This one has never been restored, but carries 59,000 miles and fresh servicing. You’ll never pass another one on the road. It should bring between $120,000-$140,000. Click here for more info and here for more from this sale.

Update: Sold $151,250.