- Auctions
- The Dawn of Motoring Sale
- 1931 DeSoto GP Sports Two-Seater ●
1931 DeSoto GP Sports Two-Seater ●
Lot Number: 923
1931 DeSoto GP Sports Two-Seater ●
Offered from a private European Collection, this powerful six-cylinder, 3.4-litre Sports Two-Seater is offered with FIA papers and would make an ideal pre-war rally car.
- NOT SOLD
LIVE AUCTION: This lot was auctioned on Friday 5th August, 2022 at 4.00pm BST at The Lygon Arms, High Street, Broadway, WR12 7DU
-
BODY COLOUR
Brown -
DRIVE
LHD -
REG NUMBER
BELGIAN REGISTERED
SUMMARY
Offered from a private European Collection, this powerful six-cylinder, 3.4-litre Sports Two-Seater is offered with FIA papers and would make an ideal pre-war rally car.
DESCRIPTION
This two-seater special started life as a De Soto CK 'Finer-Six' Sedan. A relatively lightweight saloon (by American standards) it featured a straight-six, L-Head, side-valve engine displacing 205 cubic inches (3.4-litres) and producing, in standard form, 72 brake horsepower and featured a drop-forged solid front axle with shock absorbers, semi-floating rear axle with semi-elliptic leaf springs and four wheel drum brakes.
Little is known of this cars early history and it was purchased in the early 2000s as a basket case. The chassis was shortened, all mechanical items rebuilt by the enthusiastic vendor, which included increasing the compression ratio during the rebuild of the engine which now produces some 95bhp. The two-seater body is in aluminium and very well made with cycle wings, aero screens and a boat tail very much in the style of contemporary Grand Prix cars like the Alfa Romeo 8C Monza and the Maserati Tipo 26M. It's currently finished in a Dark Chocolate Brown with black-painted wire wheels and appears to offer plenty of space for a taller driver with the nicely patinated brown leather seats looking really comfortable. It's FIA documented and has been enjoyed on international rallies and in European hill climbs in the past and is currently suitable for VSCC hill climbing, circuit racing and long distance rallies with Hero ERA, Rally the Globe etc. subject to the appropriate regulations.
Although DeSoto never became involved in European circuit racing, if they had, the car they entered would probably have looked something like the handsome two-seater we have here. It was built as one man's dream and is a credit it to him. If you narrow your eyes on a hot afternoon, it's easy to see this lovely DeSoto thundering off the Monza banking in July 1931 closely pursued by Achille Varzi in his Bugatti T51 and Guiseppe Campari and Tazio Nuvolari in their bright red Alfa 8Cs. Magic.
The car is left-hand drive and currently registered in Belgium so has free movement within the European Union but 5% import duty will be payable if it's going to reside in the UK.
SPECIFICATION
- Lot Number
- 923
- Make
- DESOTO
- Model
- GP SPORTS TWO-SEATER
- Registration Number
- BELGIAN REGISTERED
- MOT Expiry
- Exempt
- Chassis Number
- RPA033372
- Transmission
- Manual
- Body Colour
- Brown
GALLERY
CONSIGNOR
Rob Hubbard
- Managing Director & Principal Auctioneer
- 07775 511825
- rob@iconicauctioneers.com
For further information regarding this lot please contact Rob.
CONTACTVehicles can be collected from The Lygon Arms, WR12 7DU, on Friday 5th August between 6pm and 8pm.
Our transport partners, EM Rogers, can assist with collection and delivery. Please contact them on 01604 755511 or trafficdesk@emrogers.co.uk for a quote.
Any vehicles not collected by 8pm on Friday 5th August will be taken to EM Rogers storage facility in Northampton for a fee of £195 plus VAT. Storage will be charged at £10 plus VAT per day from Saturday 6th onwards.
Automobilia can be collected from The Lygon Arms on the day of the auction until 7pm. After this time it can be collected from our offices in Warwickshire or shipped to you at your expense
Did you know that you may be able to finance your upcoming auction purchase? Our exclusive finance partner Apollo Capital are able to organise fast pre-approval for car funding on the latest interest rates and terms, minimum £50k lend.
An agreement in principle could see you arrange a finance package so the funds are ready to be paid out when you’ve bought your dream auction purchase. Please speak to their experts for a quote on 01423 590242 or visit apollocapitalgroup.co.uk/iconicauctioneers/.
A classic car or motorcycle is a source of great pride and enjoyment but, whether your car or motorcycle is in storage or on the road, you’ll need a specialist insurance policy. We have partnered with Howden Insurance a leading insurance brokers with a team dedicated to classic cars and motorcycles. They cover a vast array of classic and vintage models and only work with insurers who provide a great service and share our passion for the classic motor industry.
For a personal classic car or classic motorcycle quote, visit:
www.howdeninsurance.co.uk/iconic-auctioneers
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