April 2023 - European auction previews
8 April, 2023
French auction house Aguttes is set for a busy month ahead hosting three sales in Paris, with the main event once again taking place at the start of Tour Auto on the 17th. Highlight for many will be the brace of iconic Group B rally cars, led by a 1983 Lancia Rally 037 with a pre-sale estimate of €750,000 – 950,000. Fittingly, chassis 133 claimed 3rd place at the 1983 Tour de France Automobile with Bernard Darniche at the wheel. Sympathetically restored by Lancia rally car specialist Andrea Chiavenuto in 2020, it’s presented in its original Eminence livery from the period.
Aguttes’ 1985 Peugeot 205 Turbo 16 was upgraded to Evolution 1 specification by Bouhier Engineering at the request of the factory for its first owner, the Bulgarian Balkancar Team, who campaigned it for two years in the European Rally Championship. Following the demise of Group B at the end of 1986 the car ran successfully in the European Hill Climb Championship, finishing second in class in 1988 and 1989, before winning its class in 1990. Sold to a Swiss collector in 1991, it’s been the subject of a complete restoration following the consignor’s purchase in 2018 (estimate €450,000 – 650,000).
The Tour Auto sale also features a 1955 Jaguar D-Type Recreation, listed at €450,000 – 650,000. Built over a seven-year period, with advice and input along the way from notable specialists CKL Developments, DK Engineering and Crosthwaite & Gardiner, the car comes with FIA papers until 2025 and has been a regular competitor at historic races, including Le Mans Classic, 6 Hours of Spa and the Silverstone Classic.
[ Aguttes Tour Auto Sale – auction catalogue here ]
Aguttes are back in action on 27 April with the sale of eight cars from Jacques Nicolet’s Endurance Legends collection. Jewels in the collection are the 1972 Duckhams LM, Alain De Cadenet’s three-time entrant at the 24 Hours of Le Mans (estimate €1,500,000 – 2,500,000); and an ex-Jacky Ickx 1969 Mirage M3 Spyder, winner of the 1969 Imola 500 km (estimate €1,250,000 – 1,500,000).
Classic car auction price estimates for: Lancia | Peugeot | Jaguar | Duckhams | Mirage
From Aguttes
Read through the rest of our classic car previews for more information about our auction collections. Check out our online resource for upcoming classic car auction events and classic car auction results around the world.