February 2019 - Paris previews
25 January, 2019
Paris in February means Rétromobile and the ‘blue-chip’ auctions that suround the week’s event. Artcurial’s sale on the 8th is the jewel in their calendar and this year sees the local auction house bringing 17 cars with million euro-plus estimates, headed by a 1939 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B carrying a guide of €16,000,000 – 22,000,000. Chassis 412024 is one of just five berlinettas built by Touring – two of which have won “Best of Show” at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance – and has been in single-family ownership since 1976.
Highlights among the Bugattis on offer include a 1931 Type 51 in which Maurice Trintignant took his first Grand Prix win (estimate €4,000,000 – 4,000,000), a 1938 Type 57C cabriolet at €800,000 – 1,200,000 and a 1925 Type 23 Brescia which retains its original engine, gearbox and unique cabriolet coachwork by Michel Bigatti (estimate €280,000 – 450,000).
The sale also features an ex-Works 1973 Alpine A110 1800 Gp4 which won the Portugal Rally and finished second in the Monte Carlo Rally during its debut year in competition (estimate €300,000 – 500,000), plus an ex-Eggenberger/BMW Italia 1984 BMW 635 CSi Group A which competed in the European Touring Car Championship from ’84-’86 (estimate €250,000 – 350,000).
RM Sotheby’s has secured a 1987 Ferrari F40 LM – one of just 19 constructed by Michelotto to LM/Competizione spec – for its sale on 6 February (estimate €4,500,000 – 5,500,000). The car began life as a factory pre-production prototype before embarking on a successful competition career, which included two appearances at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and a win at the 1995 Anderstorp 4 Hours. Chassis 74045 has resided with the present owner since 2008 and is described as ‘on the button’ following its recent service.
Another significant Ferrari set to cross the block is a 2011 SP30 that has covered just 110km from new. This unique car uses the chassis and drivetrain from a Ferrari 599 GTO, having been constructed by Ferrari’s Special Projects department as a one-off for its UAE based owner. The department is believed to have produced around 40 bespoke cars and this sale represents the first time a Special Projects car has been publicly offered.
RM Sotheby’s Paris sale also sees the first tranche consigned from a 140 car ‘youngtimer’ collection. Notable highlights include a 57,861-km 1982 BMW Alpina B7 S Turbo – one of 60 examples built (estimate €200,000 – 240,000); a 1989 Mercedes-Benz 560 SEC 6.0 AMG 'Wide-Body' showing 27,731km (estimate €150,000 – 200,000); and a 1985 BMW Alpina B7 Turbo Coupe listed at €80,000 – 100,000.
Bonhams returns to The Grand Palais with 139 lots due to go under the hammer on 7 February. Star attraction is a 1939 Mercedes-Benz 540K Cabriolet A, restored in 1990 by renowned marque specialist Reifen Wagner, with a pre-sale estimate of €1,700,000 – 2,300,000. The car was purchased by His Majesty King Hussein bin Talal, former King of Jordan in 1985 and has remained with the late King’s family ever since.
Rounding off the top five, a matching-numbers 1957 BMW 507 – one of 34 series I examples produced – is guided at €1,800,000 – 2,200,000; a 1930 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 Supercharged Gran Sport Spider which finished 6th at the 1931 Mille Miglia in the hands of Luigi Scarfiotti is €1,200,000 – 1,600,000; an ex-Pikes Peak 1997 RUF CTR2 Sport Prototype carries an estimate of €1,300,000 – 1,600,000; and a 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing which has recently emerged from a meticulous restoration is €1,100,000 – 1,500,000.
Classic car auction price estimates for: Alfa Romeo | Bugatti | Alpine | BMW | Ferrari | Mercedes-Benz | RUF | Porsche
From leading auction houses: Artcurial | RM Sotheby’s | Bonhams
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