Design, craftsmanship, and historical significance distinguish classic Bugatti, Rolls-Royce and Ferrari models from modern mass-produced cars.
Over the past two decades, the proliferation of classic car sales through traditional auction houses like RM Sotheby’s and online-only outfits like Bring a Trailer have helped transform passion for automobiles into an investable market. But Vintage Cars, a new coffee table book by luxury publisher Assouline, largely eschews discussions of hard value in favor of the essential attibutes: artistic design, craftsmanship, and historical significance.
Featuring words by Ken Gross, author and former executive director of Los Angeles’ esteemed Petersen Automotive Museum, imagery captured by luxury photographer Laziz Hamani showcases historic supercharged models from Bugatti, Bentley, and Mercedes-Benz, and other marques that have have have stood the test of time. The giant 7.0- and 8.0-liter luxobarges from Rolls-Royce, Minerva, and Hispano Suiza are also highlighted. Gross writes that their supersized engines “developed so much meaty torque that the cars could be driven in top gear right down to four or five miles per hour, then accelerated smoothly, almost from a standstill, with no shifting required. An automatic transmission was superfluous.”
The mighty Duesenberg J is properly honored, having been a great American luxury car owned by the likes of actors Gary Cooper, James Cagney, and Clark Gable; business magnates like Philip K. Wrigley, Ethel V. Mars, and Josiah K. Lilly; and the playboy mayor of New York, Jimmy Walker. A scant 482 examples were produced, many of which were scrapped during World War II. In a rare mention of value, Gross points out that “a Duesenberg Model J roadster with ‘disappearing top’ coachwork by Walter M. Murphy in Pasadena, California, is priced north of $5 million and climbing.”
Gross boldly makes a case for lesser known bespoke creations from French coachbuilders of the 1920s and 1930s as perhaps the most “visually stunning” vintage cars featured across 200-plus pages. “They’ve been likened to ‘Paris gowns on wheels.’ Carrossiers (coachbuilders) like the legendary Claude Figoni and Ovidio Falaschi, Henri Chapron, Marcel Pourtout, and Letourneur et Marchand offered curvaceous bodies shaped for all the world like beautiful women.” As for priceless classic racecars like Ferrari 250GT SWBs, and Aston Martin DP 214s, Gross makes an important distinction: “But the real enjoyment comes from actually driving these cars.” For most of us, viewing them on glossy two-page spreads from the comfort of your living room will have to suffice. Priced at $120, Assouline’sVintage Cars is available now.
