Artcurial Retromobile 2013 – Auction Results

The Artcurial Motorcars Retromobile Auction 2013 was held Friday 8th February at the Retromobile Show in Paris, resulting in €14.6 million in total sales and an 86% sell-through rate.
The auction, which lasted some six and a half hours – not including the automobilia sale earlier in the day – attracted a record crowd with a large number of new bidders. The total sales figure was the highest ever for a collector car auction staged in France, beating Artcurial’s own record set at the same event last year.
With 115 motor cars and 25 motorcycles on offer, the top result at the Artcurial Retromobile 2013 sale went to the 1936 Talbot-Lago T150C that sold for €1,461,800. The racing Talbot has an interesting history, including four appearances at Le Mans. It appeared more recently in historic racing, and remains eligible for all major international events. After a lengthy bidding battle in the room and on the telephone, the car eventually sold to a French collector.
Matthieu Lamoure, Managing Director of Artcurial Motorcars, commented, “The dedication and hard work of our team has produced another record result. The selection of outstanding vehicles on offer this year attracted an international clientèle that included many new buyers.”
Another prized car that topped €1-million was the 1929 Duesenberg Model J Cabriolet Murphy, which fetched €1,036,300. This car won Best of Show at Pebble Beach in the past, and continued to attract the crowds on Artcurial Motorcars’ stand at Retromobile.
The 1962 Ferrari 250 GT Pininfarina Cabriolet Series II, offered in original condition, having covered just 15,000km from new, sold for €846,000. With just two owners from new, the car has spent its life in Marseille and, according to the seller, has never seen a drop of rain.
The collection of cars coming from Corsican singer Pierre Brignole brought strong prices, many above pre-sale estimates. The 1935 Bugatti Type 57 Cabriolet Vanvooren sold for €586,100, and the 1936 Bugatti Type 57 Ventoux, the 1936 Paris Motor Show demonstration car and the first 57C built, changed hands for €421,400.
Further notable sales were the Bugattis owned by Romano Artioli, the Italian entrepreneur who bought the Bugatti name in 1987 to launch the EB110 super car The 1995 Bugatti EB 110SS – the last model to be built, with just 14,000km from new and never registered, attracted multiple bids and sold for €448,900. The 1936 Bugatti 57 Ventoux, owned by Artioli for over 10 years, sold above estimate for €403,100.
The 1987 Ferrari Testarossa owned by French actor Alain Delon since 1989, made €171,500, (estimate €40,000 – 60,000). Delon had written a note in the service book, wishing the new owner as much pleasure at the wheel of the car as he had enjoyed.
Other Artcurial Retromobile 2013 highlights included a restored 1971 Citroen SM coupé, offered at no reserve, which changed hands for €131,000 (estimate €60,000 – 100,000), and a fully restored 1958 Citroen 2 CV découvrable that had belonged to the same family from new, with just 54,000 km on the clock, made €28,600 (estimate €10,000 – 15,000). The selection of 1950s American cars all found new French owners, including the show-stealing hot-rod creation, “Dreamsicle”. This 1956 Lincoln Premiere, custom-built by John D’Agostino’s Kustom Cars in California, was presented in “Tequila Sunrise” orange, and sold for €59,600.
Highlight of the motorcycles on offer was a rare ‘Green Frame’ 1974 Ducati 750 SS, estimated at €60,000 – 90,000, that sold for €114,400.
Artcurial Retromobile 2013 – Top Ten Auction Results
1. 1936 Talbot-Lago T150 – €1,461,800
2. 1929 Duesenberg Model J Cabriolet Murphy – €1,036,300
3. 1962 Ferrari 250 GT Cabriolet Pininfarina Series II – €846,000
4. 1935 Bugatti Type 57 Cabriolet Vanvooren – €586,100
5. 1995 Bugatti EB 110 SS – €448,900
5. 1957 Studebaker Silver Hawk Coupe – €448,900
7. 1936 Bugatti Type 57 C Ventoux – €421,445
8. 1967 Ferrari 330 GTC – €418,015
9. 1970 Lamborghini Muira S €415,200
10. 1946 Talbot-Lago T26 Record Cabriolet – €357,408
The automobilia sale shared in the success of the night, realising many high prices, including €63,800 for a child’s electric Bugatti Type 52 circa 1926, and €35,700 for a Bugatti wristwatch. Highlight of the mascots was a rare Lalique model, “Comète” which made €53,600 (estimate €12,000 – 15,000).
Artcurial Motorcars next sale, “Automobiles Sur Les Champs V” which includes the André Lecoq Collection, will be in Paris on 10 June 2013.
For additional information, visit Artcurial.com.
[Source: Artcurial]