Paris 2024 preview
22 January, 2024
European blue-chip sales get underway in Paris during Rétromobile, with resident auction house Artcurial bringing a 131-car catalogue on 2 February, led by a 1958 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider, estimated to fetch €8,500,000 – 11,500,000. Chassis 1011GT, one of only 47 LWBs, was supplied new to John Von Neumann’s Ferrari dealership in Hollywood, remaining in the US until 1992. It was granted Ferrari Classiche certification following a restoration by marque specialist Joe Macari in 2018, where it underwent a colour change and interior retrim.
Other big-ticket entries include a 1975 Alfa Romeo Tipo 33 TT 12 which claimed two wins for Jochen Mass and Derek Bell in the 1975 Interseries Championship (estimate €1,200,000 – 1,600,000); a one-of-63 2021 Lamborghini Sián from The German Supercar Collection with 185km from new (estimate €2,500,000 – 3,000,000); and a 1965 Ferrari 275 GTB, presented in its 1966 Rallye du Var specification (estimate €2,200,000 – 2,700,000).
[ Artcurial Rétromobile Sale – auction catalogue here ]
Italian machinery heads the inventory at RM Sotheby’s on 31 January, where a Ferrari 250 GT SWB Competizione that finished 5th in class in the model’s race debut at the 1960 12 Hours of Sebring is listed at €9,000,000 – 11,000,000. It received a $700,000 restoration at Wayne Obry’s Motion Products in 2014 and gained Ferrari Classiche certification in 2023. A delivery-mileage 2016 Ferrari LaFerrari (estimate €3,700,000 – 4,800,000) and a 2018 Lamborghini Centenario Roadster LP770-4 showing just 71km (estimate €3,000,000 – 4,000,000) round out the top three – both of which are one-owner cars from The Ultimate Performance Collection.
Elsewhere, highlights include a 21,142-km 1980 BMW M1 certified by BMW Group Classic (estimate €480,000 – 550,000); a 18,367-km 2005 Mercedes-Benz CLK DTM AMG, one of 100 examples built by HWA to celebrate Bernd Schneider winning the 2003 DTM championship (estimate €395,000 – 450,000); and a 1958 Fiat 500 Spiaggina Boano originally owned by Fiat boss Gianni Agnelli and believed to be the only surviving example (estimate €270,000 – 290,000).
[ RM Sotheby’s Paris Sale – auction catalogue here ]
A French-supplied 2004 Ferrari Enzo is the star attraction at Bonhams’ Paris sale on 1 February with a guide of €3,500,000 – 4,500,000. In single-family ownership from new, it has covered some 9,500km and has not been used since 2021.
The ex-Geneva Motorshow 1981 Lamborghini Countach LP400 S finished in a unique shade of Blu Notte Metallizzato joins Bonhams’ line-up (estimate €580,000 – 700,000). Purchased at the show by its first owner, who requested a colour change to red, it remained with him until it was bought by the consignor in 2004. A lengthy period of recommissioning and maintenance followed, and the car was returned to its original blue paintwork in 2010 and currently shows 42,600km.
[ Bonhams Paris Sale – auction catalogue here ]
Classic car auction price estimates for: Ferrari | Alfa Romeo | Lamborghini | BMW | Mercedes-Benz | Fiat
From leading auction houses: Artcurial | RM Sotheby’s | Bonhams
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.