The Artcurial Motorcars Retromobile auction was held Friday 3rd February 2012 at the Retromobile Show in Paris, resulting in €14.5 million in total sales and a 90% sell-through rate. The total sales figure was the highest ever for a collector car auction staged in France.
Artcurial assembled a strong collection of approximately 100 automobiles for their 2012 Retromobile auction, with a drive-through sale that lasted more than five hours in front of a crowd of around 1,000 people. Top results included the ex-Roger Vadim 1959 Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder LWB that sold for €4,507,100, the 1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K Cabriolet B that made €494,600, the 1956 Ferrari 250 GT Boano that brought €477,500 and the 1913 Delaunay Belleville Type O6 8-litre that sold for €471,800.
Complete with its original hardtop and covered headlights, the 1959 Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder was purchased new by Roger Vadim, celebrated French screenwriter, director, producer and actor who discovered and later married Brigitte Bardot. The star long-wheelbase 1959 Ferrari 250 GT California Spider was offered in “immaculate condition” and the healthy selling price certainly reflects its appeal.
French marques attracted a lot of attention – the 1972 Citroen DS23ie Pallas, estimated at €50,000 – 80,000 and offered at no reserve, sold for €187,000. The 1965 Citroen 2CV AZAM, with just 116 miles on the clock, changed hands for a phenomenal €59,600. This ‘California version’ was part of the Bill Harrah collection for many years.
A collection of 15 ‘barn find’ cars untouched for 40 years was 100% sold for €660,000, double the pre-sale estimate. Top price in the collection was €73,900 (estimate €20,000 – 30,000) for the 1937 Rolls Royce Phantom III Coupe Chauffeur.
Matthieu Lamoure, Managing Director of Artcurial Motorcars, commented, “This record-breaking Retromobile sale confirms Artcurial Motorcar’s position as one of the foremost international auction houses for the sale of collectors’ cars. Our relationships with Retromobile and Classic Le Mans provide the platform to offer the most prestigious cars at some of Europe’s premier motoring events.”
“These excellent results underline the attraction of Paris as a venue for international collectors, where prices realised match and in some cases exceed those achieved in the US for equivalent models. The market recognises the importance of good provenance and values cars that are in exceptional or very original condition,” continued Lamoure.
Artcurial Retromobile 2012 – Top Auction Results
1. 1959 Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder LWB – €4,507,100
2. 1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K Cabriolet B – €494,600
3. 1956 Ferrari 250 GT Boano – €477,500
4. 1913 Delaunay Belleville Type O6 8-litre – €471,800
5. 1938 Horch 853 Cabriolet – €408,900
6. 1989 Ferrari F40 (Ex-Nigel Mansell) – €374,600
7. 1967 Bizzarrini 5300 GT Strada Aluminium – €351,500
8. 1948 Delahaye 135M Cabriolet by Pourtout – €349,000
9. 1969 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona – €274,000
10. 1912 Gobron-Brillie Torpedo Skiff by Rothschild – €214,400
10. 1968 Aston Martin DB6 Coupe – €214,400
For more information and complete results, visit www.artcurial.com
[Source: Artcurial]
