1939 Auto Union Wanderer W24

This car is offered from outside of the European Union. It has been imported under temporary admission customs bond and is therefore subject to Dutch import tax on top of the winning bid price.

The winning bidder will receive a receipt for the final hammer value, as their proof of purchase.

This vehicle has been on static display for a number of years and the documented history available is limited to that displayed in our photography section.

We have not tried to start or drive the car, and cannot vouch for its mechanical viability or functionality. It will require recommissioning prior to road use and is sold ‘as seen’.

As CARS Europe BV is the guarantor of all customs duties and taxes for vehicles within Dutch customs bond, the car cannot be released to the buyer or transporter immediately after the sale. For all enquiries relating to Customs, please contact CARS Europe BV.

Purchases will only be released once cleared funds are received. All vehicles must be collected after the payment of funds. All storage charges must be paid in full prior to the vehicle’s collection or onward transportation.

Storage charges payment must be arranged with the storage company. Collection is strictly by appointment only.

Please send a booking email to the storage centre to ensure vehicle(s) are ready at time of collection. Photographic ID will be required at time of collection. If a third party is collecting for you, then written authorisation is required in advance from you and photographic ID of the third party is required at the time of collection. Collection either by buyer or third party is only possible for vehicles within customs bond if applicable import taxes paid are paid to import into country of bonded storage location.

As soon as The Market by Bonhams receives your payment, the accounts department will send a release note to the manager of the storage facility where your car(s) is stored.

CARS Europe BV will contact you just after the sale to confirm onward transport requirements. Direct contact at CARS for enquiries is as follows; Joanna Herlihy, +31 (0) 252 682 526, +44 7483 433912, joanna@carseurope.net.

STORAGE CHARGES: €30 + local VAT per motor car per day commencing from the sixth day following the auction end.

CUSTOMS CHARGES: €500 per motor car (plus applicable permanent import taxes from bond).

Odometer: 7,497 kms.

Chassis No: 115003

In common with many vehicles from the vendor’s collection, the car comes with no history or service records.

This 1939 manual LHD Wanderer W24 Cabriolet entered the vendor’s collection of static display cars in 2011.

We believe it was auctioned in Switzerland in 2008, at which time the auction listing read as follows - “Rare German pre-war cabriolet. 35 years in the same ownership. Restored a few years ago. Very good general condition.”

This description remains true today and, as far as we can tell, the car remains in very good condition indeed.

Overall, the brown over cream paintwork looks excellent and the car presents very handsomely from every angle.

The bodywork has no dents, dinks or creases of any significance.

The panel gaps and shut lines are as tight and consistent as you could hope for on a 1939 car.

The fabric hood fits snugly, goes up and down as it should and is in good order except for a few small holes in the outer skin of the fabric at the rear on the passenger side.

Aside from the residue of some adhesive tape on the rear bumper, all the chrome work is excellent, as are the car’s exterior fittings – including the very stylish landaulette arms at the rear of the hood.

Some paint has flaked off on the passenger side running board. There is a crack at the bottom of the front wheel arch on the same side and one or two scratches higher up.

There are also a few scratches and paint chips on the driver’s side front wheel arch and some of the exterior rubber trim has perished in places.

The wheels, lights and badging are all good.

The interior is just as impressive as the exterior.

The beige leather upholstery is in very reasonable condition overall, although there are some small nicks to the leather at the top of the passenger seat.

The seats are supportive, comfortable and functional all round.

The door cards are good, but could do with a clean, and the brown carpets and mats don’t look to have seen much use.

The paint on the dashboard has some micro-blistering.

The door cards and wooden door cappings are reasonable, as are the headlining, carpets and mats.

The storage space at the rear, which is accessible from behind the rear seats, has a few random bits and pieces in it, plus a brown vinyl tonneau cover, which seems to be in very good condition.

We can’t make any claims about the full functionality of switches, knobs, levers, toggles, buttons, dials or other electrics as we haven’t tried to start or drive the car.

Everything in the engine bay is clean and dry and all seems to be present and correct.

The undersides of the car appear to have a good amount of structural integrity as far as we can see.

This car doesn’t come with any history or service records.

It must be registered in the country of your choice and you will need to contact the appropriate vehicle licensing agency for instructions on how to do this.

Any paperwork shown in the gallery is a facsimile and in no way constitutes any kind of licensing or registration certification.

This exceptional LHD manual 1939 Wanderer W24 Cabriolet is as charming, pretty, sensitively restored and well-preserved as it is rare.

Provided, of course, that the engine and mechanicals are amenable to recommissioning, we think this car could well be the pride of its next owner’s collection.

We’re confident to offer this car for auction with an estimate of €30,000 - €50,000.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located in a bonded warehouse in Amsterdam, to arrange an appointment please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.