1930s–1940s
Pre-War Classic Era
The Golden Age of Coachbuilding
The 1930s and 1940s produced the most breathtaking automobiles ever built. Duesenbergs, Cords, Packards, and Cadillacs wore bespoke coachwork from the world's finest craftsmen. These were rolling sculptures — expressions of wealth, taste, and engineering ambition that have never been surpassed. With 32 vehicles spanning this era, Grand Rapids Classics holds one of the most significant pre-war collections in the Midwest.
Grand Rapids Classics Auto Museum · Mon–Sat 9AM–5PM
Pre-War Classic Era Collection
32 Click any car to see full details, history, and photos
1930
Cord L-29 Convertible Phaeton
Drove Clark Gable and Vivian Leigh to the world premiere of Gone with the Wind
1930
Isotta Fraschini Tipo 8A S Roadster
The crowning jewel of the Grand Rapids Classic Auto Museum
1930
Packard Deluxe Eight Sport Phaeton
CCCA Full Classic — designed by Ray Dietrich
1931
Cadillac Series 452 V-16 Roadster
One of the most iconic automobiles of the Classic Era
1931
Cadillac Series 355-A Eight Roadster
CCCA Full Classic with Fleetwood coachwork
1932
Chevrolet Confederate Roadster
Two-year body-off-the-frame restoration
1932
Chrysler Imperial CH Eight Coupe
1 of only 239 built in 1932 — winner of multiple CCCA and AACA awards
1932
Hupmobile I-226 Cabriolet
Rare — one of just two known surviving Cabriolet examples
1932
Oldsmobile F-32 Convertible Roadster
Scored 999 out of 1,000 at the Oldsmobile Club of America Meet
1933
Chrysler Imperial CL Dual-Windshield Phaeton
1 of fewer than 20 authentic survivors
1933
Plymouth PD Rumble Seat Convertible Coupe
1 of just 4,596 Rumble Seat examples produced
1934
DeSoto Airflow Coupe
Believed to be 1 of only 10 remaining examples
1935
Auburn 851 Salon Phaeton
Classic Car Club of America National First Prize, badge #9268
1936
Bentley 4 1/4-Litre Airflow Saloon
1 of just 2 Bentleys built to this design specification
1936
Cord 810 Westchester
1 of 1,174 built for 1936 — once owned by the President of Standard Oil
1936
Ford V-8 Cabriolet
Two-year body-off-the-frame restoration
1936
International IH-35 Flatbed Truck
$100,000 comprehensive restoration completed by Nashville International dealer
1936
Pierce-Arrow Twelve Model 1602 Limousine
2021 Winner at the Copshaholm Concours d'Elegance for Exemplary interior design
1937
Cord 812 SC Sportsman Cabriolet
1 of only 64 original factory supercharged examples produced
1937
Delage D8-100 Coupé Chauffeur
The sole surviving Delage D8-100 of this style
1937
Rolls-Royce Phantom III Newmarket Faux Cabriolet
First in Class at the 2024 Greenwich Concours d'Elegance
1939
Packard Twelve 1708 Sport Sedan
Reportedly the most expensive Packard built in 1939 at $9,000
1940
BMW 328 Roadster
Coachwork thought to be 1 of the first 5 or 6 prototypes constructed by Touring of Milan
1940
Diamond T 306 Flatbed Stake Truck
Rare Diamond T dually example
1940
Packard 120 Street Rod
Vintage looks with thrilling modern-day performance
1941
Chevrolet Special Deluxe Sedan Restomod
Documented body-off-the-frame restoration totaling over $75,000
1941
Packard 110 Station Wagon
1 of just 358 Hercules Station Wagon Bodies built
1946
Delahaye 135M Drophead Coupé
1 of only 9 surviving examples in the world with Worblaufen coachwork
1947
Cadillac Series 62 Convertible
1 of just 6,755 built in 1947 — one of the last CCCA Full Classics
1947
Chevrolet Stylemaster Sedan RestoMod
A post-war vehicle with a modern custom twist
1947
Ford Super DeLuxe Sportsman Convertible
Ford's most iconic woodie convertible — 1 of fewer than 100 believed to have survived
1949
Willys-Overland Jeepster
No-expense-spared restoration by Jeepster Jim — the 220th Jeepster restored
See These Cars in Person
Grand Rapids Classics Auto Museum is open Monday through Saturday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM in Cutlerville, Grand Rapids, Michigan.