Description
Imperia Grand Prix 1930 Factory Car (1 of 4)
(Ex-Grand Prix d’Europe 1930)
Chassis #12999 S
Engine #12947 SS
1800cc 6-cylinder slide-valve engine type, 6 carburettors AMAL, Black rudge wheels
Englebert tyres 4. 75/ 18 Type AD
Ownership
1930 Imperia Factory racing car, 1 of 4 built at Nessonvaux, Liège, Belgium
1932-1980 Peiffer Jacques, then Peiffer Mich, Wiltz, Luxemburg
1980-2023 Current family, since 1980, Luxemburg
Only 2 owners in almost 100 years.
Full history
1930 July 30 Grand Prix d’Europe/ Belgian Grand Prix à Spa Francorchamps.
Imperia came with 4 factory prepared cars, 3 raced (#1, #2, #3) and 1 was used as a spare car.
You can see the Imperia Grand Prix cars #1 (Zehender) and #3 (Doré), next to the factory Bugatti’s 35C of Louis Chiron (#9), Max Thirion (#16) on the starting grid.
All cars were painted in dark blue, with red interior, black tyres and black steering wheel.
We believe our car to be Imperia #2 (driven by Ledure), qualified 2nd and finished the race in 7th position out of a field of 15 cars including 6 Bugatti’s 35.
There are some famous period photographs showing the celebrations of the Bugatti & Imperia teams after the race at Spa-Francorchamps.
1932 (circa) The Grand Prix car was sold by the factory to Jacques Peiffer, owner of Garage Peiffer, Wiltz, restoration shop. Peiffer did his apprenticeship at Imperia in Nessonvaux, his father was already employed at the factory. There are photos on file, of Peiffer behind the wheel of the car, as well as factory archives.
The family walled the car during the war so the Germans wouldn't take it.
1980 January Purchased by Michel W., directly from Mich Peiffer, Wiltz. Car is still 100% original (see photos on file) and is subject to a light restoration.
1980 March Michel H. asks local enthusiast and mechanic Johnny Braun, of Kesseler Garage, Gonderange, Luxemburg, to restore the car mechanically and do a repaint, a 4-year restoration process.
1984 First family outing after restoration (see photos on file).
1995 Exhibited at the Stavelot Museum (Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps)
1998 Participates in an Imperia event in Nessonvaux, shown on RTBF (Belgian state television channel).
2002 Death of owner, Michel H.
2004 Permanent show in Museum Conservatoire National de Véhicules Historiques in Diekirch, Luxemburg
2009 Shown at event at Zolder racing track, for inauguration of the new Imperia GT Roadster (brand relaunch and car release).
2010 Shown on television program VRT Canvas (Belgian state owned television).
2023 November The Imperia Grand Prix wins the “best of show ward” at Interclassics Brussels fair.
2024 Family decides to entrust Gaëtan Van der Kindere of British & Sportscars with the sale of the car.
Car is still in its 100% original condition, with engine starting. A complete mechanical overhaul, and engine rebuild is to be planned by new owner.
List of accessories that come with the car
-4 mudguards (2 front and 2 rear)
-2 Englebert tires with pipes
-1 Luxembourg black license plate H-1928 (with fixed light and cable)
-3 orange-red lamps (flashing lights)
-Mirror
-2 original headlights with fixing and cables
-Various small parts (bolts, screws, fasteners)
-2 Imperia 6-cylinder engine gaskets without valves
-1 horn with cable and switch
-1 black cache with cover
Large history file, as well as period photographs accompanies the car.
Of the 4 cars built in period, this is the sole survivor still 100% original and never been fully restored. Two of the sister cars are kept in a private collection in Czech Republic.
This is a truly unique opportunity to acquire a racing car built specifically for the 1930 European Grand Prix.
The new owner will enjoy a wealth of heritage from one of the best era’s of motorsport history.
More pictures available
Visible only on appointment
For further information , please contact us +32 (0)2 681 81 00
