The golden age

1919–1939

Between the wars, motor racing and fast road cars grew up together. The 24 Hours of Le Mans began in 1923 and the Mille Miglia in 1927, and the cars that won them were often sold, almost unchanged, to wealthy drivers.

Superchargers, straight-eight engines and coachbuilt bodies defined the era: Bugatti, Alfa Romeo, Mercedes-Benz and Bentley built cars that are still among the most valuable in the world.

Bugatti Type 35Bugatti · 1924–1930Bentley 4½ LitreBentley · 1927–1931Mercedes-Benz SSKMercedes-Benz · 1928–1932Alfa Romeo 6C 1750Alfa Romeo · 1929–1933Alfa Romeo 8C 2300Alfa Romeo · 1931–1934Bugatti Type 57Bugatti · 1934–1940Delahaye 135Delahaye · 1935–1954Auburn 851 SpeedsterAuburn · 1935–1937Alfa Romeo 8C 2900Alfa Romeo · 1935–1938

Duesenberg SSJDuesenberg · 1935–1936BMW 328BMW · 1936–1940

Mercedes-Benz 540KMercedes-Benz · 1936–1940SS Jaguar 100Jaguar · 1936–1940MG T-type MidgetMG · 1936–1955Talbot-Lago T150-C SSTalbot-Lago · 1937–1939