LOT 165

1938 Wanderer W25K Roadster Chassis no. 180244

Sold for €253,000 inc. premiumLot to be sold without reserve

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Lot 165

1938 Wanderer W25K Roadster

The Paris Sale|30 January 2026, 12:00 CET|Paris, Polo de Paris

1938 Wanderer W25K Roadster
Chassis no. 180244

• One of only 258 cars produced
• Highly original condition.
• Long-term ownership since 1994
• Engine needs to be rebuilt

Like the rival BMW 328, the Wanderer W25K sports car was powered by a 2.0-litre, six-cylinder engine, in the Wanderer's case equipped with a Roots supercharger and producing 85php, hence the 'K' (Kompressor) designation. The engine was designed by Ferdinand Porsche and the car's beautiful lines styled by Helmut Schwandler, the bodywork being built by Wendler Karrosserie in Reutlingen. While the slightly heavier Wanderer couldn't quite match the performance of its Bavarian counterpart, it was still a marvellous sports car,

Chassis number '180244' is one of a handful of known survivors from the limited run of 258 Wanderer W25K roadsters produced between 1936 and 1938. This example has belonged to a German collector since 1994 and is probably the most original Wanderer W25K available worldwide.

The seller notes that the car - believed to be an older restoration - is in good condition for its age and outstandingly original; the black paint and exterior brightwork is well-preserved, and the red leather interior is in good condition also. However, the engine does not run, having been removed and disassembled many years ago for repairs, and now needs to be overhauled. The fortunate next owner will have an exciting opportunity to restore this rare German sports car to its former glory.

Footnotes

1938 Wanderer W25K Roadster
N° de châssis : 180244

• L'un des 258 exemplaires produits
• État très largement d'origine
• Même propriétaire depuis 1994
• Moteur à refaire

À l'instar de la BMW 328 concurrente, la sportive Wanderer W25K était animée par un moteur six cylindres de 2,0 litres, équipé dans le cas de la Wanderer d'un compresseur Roots développant 85 ch, d'où la désignation « K » (Kompressor). Le moteur fut conçu par Ferdinand Porsche et les superbes lignes de la voiture dessinées par Helmut Schwandler, la carrosserie étant réalisée par Wendler Karrosserie à Reutlingen. Bien que légèrement plus lourde, la Wanderer ne pouvait rivaliser totalement avec les performances de son homologue bavaroise, mais n'en demeurait pas moins une remarquable voiture de sport.

Le châssis n° 180244 fait partie du petit nombre d'exemplaires survivants issus de la production limitée à 258 roadsters Wanderer W25K construits entre 1936 et 1938. Cet exemplaire appartient à un collectionneur allemand depuis 1994 et constitue probablement la Wanderer W25K la plus originale disponible aujourd'hui à l'échelle mondiale.

Le vendeur indique que la voiture — qui serait le fruit d'une restauration ancienne — est en bon état compte tenu de son âge et présente un degré d'authenticité exceptionnel ; la peinture noire et les éléments de carrosserie chromés sont bien conservés, et l'intérieur en cuir rouge est également en bon état. En revanche, le moteur ne fonctionne pas : il a été déposé et démonté il y a de nombreuses années en vue de réparations, et nécessite désormais une révision complète. Le futur propriétaire aura ainsi l'opportunité enthousiasmante de redonner à cette rare sportive allemande tout son éclat d'antan.

Saleroom notices

The vendor notes that the following parts are missing: front engine mounting bracket, ignition cables, distributor cap, transmission bell housing cover, chrome trim strip for the center of the hood, exhaust manifolds (two in total, front and rear), alternator, footrest floor panel, transmission tunnel cover, air filter housing, compressor drive flange, fan blades, and various screws and nuts. Bonhams cannot guarantee that more parts are not missing. Le vendeur signale que les pièces suivantes sont manquantes : support de fixation avant du moteur, câbles d'allumage, tête d'allumeur, couvercle du carter d'embrayage, baguette chromée centrale du capot, collecteurs d'échappement (deux au total, avant et arrière), alternateur, panneau de plancher avec repose-pieds, couvercle du tunnel de transmission, boîtier de filtre à air, bride d'entraînement du compresseur, pales de ventilateur et diverses vis et écrous. Bonhams ne peut garantir l'absence d'autres pièces.

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