Class C - Open Cars 2004

1940-1959: Open Cars "Le temps du changement"

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48. Alvis Speed 25, 1940
6 Zylinder in linea, 3571 cm³

Body: 4 Seat Drophead, Charlesworth
Entrant: Philipp Owen (GB)

The radiators of these English vehicles are adorned by a hare, symbol of the Alvis brand. Alvis’ fame was due mainly to succesful sporting results. Some touring models were made to compete against Bentley and Jaguar and built by the best known coachbuilders. This Drophead coupé, of admirable proportions, built by Charlesworth is a rare example.

50. Talbot Lago T 26, 1947
6 Zylinder in linea, 4482 cm³

Body: Cabriolet, Worblaufen
Entrant: Friederich Gerads (D)

The Talbot Lago T 26 was the result of studies undertaken in 1942 and the first post-war model was presented to the press in June 1947. The structure remained in production for nine years without undergoing any significant changes. Production was limited to 500 units, which due to the high costs, were destined only to prestigious coachbuilders.

52. Delahaye 135 MS, 1947
6 Zylinder in linea, 3557 cm³

Body: Cabriolet 2/2 Saoutchik
Entrant: Robert Temperli (CH)

The Delahaye 135 made its debut at the 1934 Paris Motor Show and became the favourite of the greatest coachbuilders. To the utmost delight of the Jet Set, Saoutchik devoted himself with artistic verve to haute couture in the automotive field, and the 135 M gave him the opportunity to express his flamboyance by creating this huge snow-white, crome trimmed bird.

54. Lea Francis 2.5-18 HP Sport, 1952
4 Zylinder in linea, 1296 cm³

Body: Roadster, Lea Francis
Entrant: André Wallimann (CH)

This rare Lea Francis, one of only 82 made, has an amazing history; in 1995 it was rediscovered in the Panama Canal region. Its aluminium coachwork had resisted the tropical climes so well that its owner was able to avoid having it rebuilt. The Lea Francis brand ceased production in 1960.

56. Fiat 8V, 1953
8 Zylinder a V, 1996 cm³

Body: Spider, Zagato
Entrant: Pietro Galtarossa (I)

Following a sensational debut at the 1952 Geneva Motor Show, the 8V was considered one of Dante Giacosa’s greatest creations. Siata produced the prototype, while Fiat reserved the right to produce the 114 which followed. 24 of these received coachwork from Zagato, Vignale and Pininfarina.

58. Pegaso Z 102 BS, 1953
8 Zylinder a V, 3172 cm³

Body: Competition Spider, Touring
Entrant: Ilka Seekamp (D)

The Spanish Alfa Romeo engineer, Wilfredo P. Ricard, unveiled the first Pegaso Z 102 during the 1951 Paris Motor Show. It was produced by the old Hispano Suiza company, E.N.A.S.A., in Barcelona and immediately aroused great interest. The sporty-looking vehicle, in actual fact, hid a racing demon, capable of reaching 250 km/h.

60. Alfa Romeo 1900 SS, 1957
4 Zylinder in linea, 1975 cm³

Body: Cabriolet, Touring
Entrant:Jean-Frédéric Dufour (CH)

Only 91 Super Sprint Touring 1900 cabriolets were produced. The Super Sprint’s 5 gears give it its sporty nature and mean it is particularly sought after by enthusiasts. Its coachwork is one of the most significant examples of the Touring style.

62. Ferrari 250 GT, 1957
12 Zylinder a V, 2962 cm³

Body: Cabriolet, Pininfarina
Entrant: Peter S. Kalikow (USA)

The Ferrari GT 250 was introduced at the 1954 Paris Motor Show and underwent constant evolution in the first 10 years of production. One after another, each of the great Italian coachbuilding masters succumbed to the charm of the young vehicle. Sergio Scaglietti was head of the project at Pininfarina and soon distinguished himself as the ideal designer.

64. BMW 507, 1957
8 Zylinder a V, 3168 cm³

Body: Roadster, BMW
Entrant: Francis Maret (CH)

Following World War II, in which two thirds of the BMW factory had been destroyed and confiscated as war damage, the company nonetheless relaunched production in 1952. 3 years later, the Bavarian manufacturer presented the marvellous elegant and sporty BMW 507, work of designer Graf Albrecht Goertz at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Despite its aesthetic appeal, production was limited to only 251 units and it never managed to stand up to comparison with the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL.

66. Fiat Stanguellini 1200, 1957
4 Zylinder in linea, 1221 cm³

Body: Spider, Bertone
Entrant: Eugenio Schlossberg (ARG)

The car first appeared in Turin, then Geneva in 1957, and went from there to the Buenas Aires Motor Show. It made a few other sporadic appearances in the Argentine capital between 1970 and 1980, before being abandoned. It was only in 1995 that the current owner started completely rebuilding it. Its aerodynamic shape, drawn by Franco Scaglione remind us of the 3 BATs by Scaglione and Bertone together.

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