The Artcurial Motorcars Le Mans Classic auction was held Saturday 7th July 2012 at the Le Mans 24 Hours Circuit in France, resulting in total sales of €8.7 million and an 80% sell-through rate.
The Artcurial auction marquée, situated on the Bugatti circuit by the collecting area for the 2012 Le Mans Classic historic races, provided a perfect view of the drivers gearing up for the start of the race. Throughout the day, torrential rain hammered down on the roof of the marquée, causing two power cuts during the second part of the sale. Undeterred, Auctioneer Maître Hervé Poulain continued with the auction throughout these interruptions.
Artcurial assembled a selection of 138 collector and competition motor cars for the 2012 Le Mans Classic auction, with 70% of the lots offered at no reserve. Top sale went to the 1966 Ferrari 275 GTC that sold for €1,540,200, followed by the 1991 Peugeot 905 EV13 at €654,723 and the 1961 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster that made €643,288.
Other notable sales included the 1965 Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint GTA that sold for €128,700, the €297,840 paid for the 1966 ASA RB Type 613 1300GT, the 1974 Ferrari 365 GT4 BB at €160,834, the SIMCA 100 Butagaz advertising vehicle for the 1962 Tour de France that sold for €23,800, the 1974 Riva Super Ariston boat that changed hands for €103,600 and the 1958 Messerschmitt KR 200 that brought €33,400.
The Heuliez Collection of coachbuilt prototypes realised approximately three-quarters of a million euros, with the Chatellerault museum claiming the right to buy three cars. The 1971 Citroën SM Espace fetched €109,600.
Auctioneer Maître Hervé Poulain, and Matthieu Lamoure, managing director of Artcurial Motorcars commented, “Following our first €7-million sale at Le Mans Classic in 2010, the 2012 Artcurial Motorcars sale realised close to €9-million, a substantial increase. The sale rate of over 80%, the production of two catalogues, a world-wide marketing campaign with many cars selling to foreign buyers, all confirm Artcurial Motorcars’ leading position in the international market.”
Artcurial Le Mans Classic 2012 – Top Ten Auction Results
1. 1966 Ferrari 275 GTC – €1,540,200
2. 1991 Peugeot 905 EV13 – €654,723
3. 1961 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster – €643,288
4. 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing – €557,500
5. 1938 Peugeot 402 Darl’mat Roadster – €321,667
6. 1966 ASA RB Type 613 1300GT – €297,840
7. 1972 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Coupe – €297,800
8. 1959 Ferrari 250 GT Coupe – €210,900
9. 1997 Porsche 993 GT3 R – €169,173
10. 1974 Ferrari 365 GT4 Berlinetta Boxer – €160,834
For complete auction results, visit www.artcurial.com.
The next Artcurial Motorcars sales will be reserves from the HSH Prince Rainier III Collection in Monaco on 26 July 2012, followed by “Automobiles sur les Champs Elysees 4” on 11 November 2012 at the Artcurial Headquarters in Paris.
[Source: Artcurial]
