February 2018 - Paris highlights
7 March, 2018
Bugattis claimed a clean sweep at this year’s Paris sales, heading the results sheets at RM Sotheby’s, Artcurial and Bonhams’ auctions.
RM Sotheby’s 2017 Bugatti Chiron hypercar came out on top, changing hands for €3,323,750 against a pre-sale estimate of €3,200,000 – 3,600,000. The car had covered less than 1,000 from new and was one of the first 20 examples to be delivered worldwide.
Other highlights among the modern collectables included a 12,500-km 2005 Maserati MC12 at €2,001,875 (estimate €2,000,000 – 2,500,000); a one-of-36 1993 Bugatti EB110 Super Sport Prototype with 3,300km from new at €1,152,500 (estimate €850,000 – 1,100,000); and a 1992 Ferrari F40 at €933,125 (estimate €850,000 – 950,000).
RM’s two-owner 1958 BMW 507 had been looked after by the same BMW-trained mechanic since new and sold for a well-deserved €1,776,875 (estimate €1,600,000 – 1,800,000); while a 1938 Mercedes-Benz 320 Cabriolet D made €232,250 (estimate €140,000 – 180,000), a 1972 De Tomaso Mangusta went for €286,250 (estimate €190,000 – 240,000), and a 20,700-km 1995 Lancia Delta Integrale Evoluzione II 'Dealers Collection' fetched €161,000 (estimate €90,000 – 120,000).
RM Sotheby’s reported a sale total of €23.75 million.
Artcurial’s star performer was the ex-Geneva Motor Show 1938 Bugatti Type 57 Atalante Coupe which sold for €2,903,200 (estimate €3,000,000 – 3,500,000) – a new auction record for the model.
Twelve further auction records were also set, including a 97-km 2006 Ferrari FXX – one of just 38 produced – at €2,674,400 (estimate €2,600,000 – 3,200,000); a 1954 Maserati A6 GCS/53 Spyder at €2,445,600 (estimate €2,800,000 – 3,600,000); and a 1951 Porsche 356 Pre-A 1300 which smashed its €440,000 – 520,000 estimate, selling for €894,000 to an American collector.
Other ‘blue-chip’ sales included a 1964 Porsche 904 Carrera GTS with period competition history, selling for €1,873,600 (estimate €1,400,000 – 1,800,000); a 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing which was restored by renowned marque specialists Kienle in the early 2000s achieved €1,158,270 (estimate €800,000 – 1,000,000); and a 29,000-km 1990 Ferrari F40 went for €953,600 (estimate €750,000 – 1,000,000).
Overall, Artcurial posted an 86% sell-through rate and a €31.8 million total from its two-day Rétromobile sale.
Pre-war machinery led the way at Bonhams’ Grand Palais sale; the ex-Earl Howe 1935 Bugatti Type 57 (estimate €780,000 – 1,300,000) and a 1904 Fiat Type 24/32 (estimate €750,000 – 950,000) each making €713,000; while a 1926 Bentley 3 Litre 'Red Label' Speed Model Tourer brought €701,500 (estimate €650,000 – 850,000) – setting a new record for the model at auction.
Star among the 19 lot Jacques Vander Stappen collection was a 1907 Minerva Type K 40hp Limousine with known history from new, which sold for €603,750 – comfortably eclipsing its €350,000—450,000 estimate.
Other notable highlights included a 1974 Lamborghini Countach LP400 'Periscopio' at €638,250 (estimate €600,000 – 800,000); a 1928 Bugatti Type 40 Grand Sport at €529,000 (estimate €300,000 – 400,000); and a 1958 Jaguar XK 150 S 3.4 Roadster – restored in the late 2000s at a cost of some €213,000 – which found a new home at €218,500.
Bonhams Paris sale generated a total of €14.93 million, with a sell-through rate of 77%.
Classic car auction results and prices for: Bugatti | Maserati | Ferrari | BMW | Mercedes-Benz | De Tomaso | Lancia | Porsche | Fiat | Bentley | Minerva | Lamborghini | Jaguar
From leading auction houses: RM Sotheby’s | Artcurial | Bonhams
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