1940 Opel Olympia OL38 Roadster by Glaser

Offered by RM Sotheby’s | Munich, Germany | November 2024

Photo Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s

Well, the OL38 generation of Opel’s Olympia didn’t really look like this. The Olympia went on sale in 1935, and just two years later it was updated to the OL38, which remained in production until being interrupted by the war in 1940. It resumed production in 1947 and lasted through 1949, when a fresh generation debuted.

The OL38 was offered from the factory as a two- or four-door sedan as well as a two-door cabriolet. This car received, what is claimed to be, one-off roadster coachwork by Glaser. Power is provided by a 1.5-liter inline-four that made around 35 horsepower. It was capable of 70 mph.

This car was purchased out of Ukraine in 2014 and later restored. It now has an estimate of $22,000-$33,000. Click here for more info.

1903 Humber 2¾hp Olympia Tandem Forecar

Offered by Bonhams | London, U.K. | November 4, 2016

Photo – Bonhams

Thomas Humber began selling bicycles in the 1880s in England and in 1898 introduced their first “car” – a three-wheeler based on a motorcycle, much like the one you see here. More traditional, four-wheeled cars appeared in 1901. A long and interesting history followed, culminating in Humber, as part of Chrysler Europe, being sold to Peugeot and the Humber marque was renamed Talbot, before being phased out in 1986 – 100 years after the introduction of their first motorized vehicle.

Early motorcycles did not have room enough for two riders. So if you wanted the convenience of a motorcycle but the passenger capacity of a small car, a Tandem Forecar like this was your best bet. Many companies that existed in the early days of the automobile that built motorcycles offered similar things. This one is powered by a 2.75 horsepower 403cc single-cylinder engine.

Formerly a part of the Rootes Group Heritage Collection (Humber was owned by the Rootes Group from about 1929 through 1967), this Forecar is among the oldest known Humbers in existence. It will take a slight effort to get it running again, but it has been fastidiously maintained and wants to get back on the road. It should sell for between $43,000-$49,000. Click here for more info and here for more from this sale.

Update: Sold $45,966.