Retromobile Auction Roundup

Salon Retromobile enjoyed its largest event yet last week at the Porte de Versailles Exhibition Center in Paris. More than 500 show cars filled the halls of Porte de Versailles as exhibitors, carmakers and various specialist vendors provided a variety of inspiration for the attending crowds. Three major auction houses held sales of classic and collectable cars in conjunction with the show, and these are summarized here below.

Artcurial enjoyed a successful Salon Retromobile auction, with total sales of nearly $34 million, as 73 percent of all lots sold. Leading the way was the weekend’s overall top seller, a 1965 Dino Berlinetta Speciale by Pininfarina (above, photo courtesy of Artcurial) that hammered for $4,655,000, followed by a 1948 Ferrari 166 Spyder Corsa by Scaglietti that earned $3,138,820 and a 1972 Lamborghini Miura SV that sold for $2,532,350. Seven of Artcurial’s sales topped the $1 million mark. For complete information please visit www.artcurial.com

Artcurial’s Paris Top 10 sales:

1965 Dino Berlinetta Speciale by Pininfarina – $4,655,000
1948 Ferrari 166 Spyder Corsa by Scaglietti – $3,138,820
1972 Lamborghini Miura SV – $2,532,350
1935 Bugatti Type 57 Atalante – $2,471,700
1936 Talbot Lago T150C – $1,707,545
1987 Porsche 959 Komfort – $1,187,500
1961 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster – $1,124,820
1968 Lamborghini Miura P400 – $941,560
1970 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona by Scaglietti – $846,775
1968 Bizzarrini 3500 GT Strada – $748,125

RM Sotheby’s 4^th annual Retromobile sale produced more than $29 million in sales, the company’s most successful Paris auction to date. The star of the night was a 1934 Alfa Romeo Tipo B P3, one of the most important pre-war Grand Prix cars. Campaigned by Scuderia Ferrari during the 1934 and 1935 seasons, and driven by many of the most significant Grand Prix pilots of the era, including Tazio Nuvolari and Achille Varzi, this important piece of motor sport history gaveled for $4,156,260. RM’s second biggest seller was a 1973 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Spider with only 20,314 miles on the clock that went for $2,285,940, followed by a Porsche 959 Sport from a distinguished Swiss collection that brought in $2,078,130; and a 1995 Porsche 911 Turbo Cabriolet selling at $1,425,000. RM’s sixth and final million-dollar car was a 1962 Ferrari 250 GT Cabriolet Series II by Pininfarina that sold for $1,306,250. For complete information please visit www.rmsothebys.com

RM Sotheby’s Paris Top 10 sales:

1934 Alfa Romeo Tipo B P3 – $4,156,260
1973 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Spider by Scaglietti – $2,285940
1988 Porsche 959 Sport – $2,078,130
1965 Ferrari 275 GTB by Scaglietti – $2,048,440
1995 Porsche 911 Turbo Cabriolet – $1,425,000
1962 Ferrari 250 GT Cabriolet Series II by Pininfarina – $1,306,250
1994 Porsche 911 Turbo S 3.6 – $939,940
2012 Aston Martin V12 Zagato “No. Zero” – $795,625
1969 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Berlinetta – $748,125
1964 Porsche 901 Cabriolet Prototype – $688,750

The star of Bonhams “Grandes Marques du Monde” sale in Paris was a 1935 Aston Martin Ulster (CML 719), with outstanding provenance and racing history including a 5^th-place finish in its class at the 1935 24 Hours of Le Mans, that sold for $2,133,800. The second most valuable lot was a 1957 Bentley S1 Continental — one of only 31 built — that earned a winning bid of $1,134,600. One of the eternal 1966 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing Coupés brought in $1,078,580 to become the third of Bonhams three million-dollar cars. For complete details, please visit www.Bonhams.com

Bonhams Paris Top 10 sales: