1910 Hotchkiss Roi-des-Belges

1910 Hotchkiss Type X6 Series 1 20/30HP Roi-des-Belges Tourer

Offered by Bonhams | Oxford, U.K. | June 20, 2015

Photo - Bonhams

Photo – Bonhams

This is an ornate machine. Look at that long barrel of an engine compartment and the extra long wheelbase (there is virtually no overhang on either end). It’s a classy automobile, that’s for sure.

Hotchkiss was founded in the 1860s by an American in Paris (or thereabouts) and the company lasted for nearly 100 years. Automobile building ended in the 1950s after over 50 years of production. This Type X6 an early example and it is proof that Hotchkiss built big, expensive cars. The engine is a 4.8-liter straight-six making 20/30 horsepower.

This car was saved from a scrapyard in Australia int he 1950s and the restoration you see here wasn’t completed until 1995. It’s a big, powerful Edwardian touring car – and it’s rare too. Only 27 Type X6s were built in 1910 (with an additional 51 being completed before the end of the model in 1912). Only two are thought to survive. It should bring between $120,000-$150,000. Click here for more info and here for more from this sale.

Update: Sold $144,286.

Lancia Epsilon

1912 Lancia Tipo 58 20/30HP Epsilon Corsa

Offered by Coys | London, U.K. | December 2, 2014

Photo - Coys

Photo – Coys

Lancia models have always had Greek letters for their series names. The Epsilon was an early example of this naming convention. The company was founded in 1906 by Vincenzo Lancia in Turin. The Tipo 58 Epsilon entered production in 1911 and lasted through 1912.

The engine is a 4.1-liter straight-four making 60 horsepower. It was available in four different chassis configurations that offered a wide variety of body styles. In all, only 312 Epsilon chassis were built. Only two are known to exist: this one, and one on permanent display at the Schlumpf Collection.

This was originally built as a race car (as seen)and was actually a Lancia factory entrant at the 1913 Targa Florio. The car was discovered in storage and Lancia finally sold it in 1970. It was then restored and is now considered the oldest functioning Lancia in the world and the only surviving Lancia racing car from this era. It’s pretty impressive and should bring between $235,000-$275,000. Click here for more info and here for more from Coys.

Update: Sold $266,875.