It was a long evening at Artcurial, 132 vehicles, including 28 motorcycles, went under the hammer on October 27, 2024 under the title "Automobiles sur les Champs" in the center of Paris.
The vehicles had previously been estimated at a total of EUR 7.5 million, with the lion's share of EUR 6.9 million going to the cars. On average, the vehicles were 42 years old and 39% were offered without a reserve price.
In principle, the auction was divided into three parts. In the first part, a large number of different cars were auctioned off, as is usual at the Champs auctions. This was followed by the auction of 28 motorcycles and finally 39 cars from the "André Trigano" collection, the first part of which was sold in 2020, went under the hammer. These were rather young and inexpensive automobiles.
81% sold
A good four-fifths of the vehicles were sold, although the sales rate for cars was higher at 84% than for motorcycles at 71%.
Classic brands in particular
Of the 104 cars, 13 were Mercedes-Benz, nine Ferrari, eight each BMW and Citroën, six Renault and five Jaguar and Porsche. All other brands, including exotic ones such as Gurgel, Hotchkiss-Grégoire and Salmson, were represented by a maximum of four cars.
While 92% of Mercedes-Benz cars were sold, only 44% of Ferrari cars were sold. All BMWs, Citroëns and Fiats found a new owner, but only 60% of Jaguars and Porsches.
Only just over half of the cars valued at over 100,000 euros sold
The overall good sales rate is put into perspective a little when you look at the turnover achieved with the cars, which was around half the expected amount. In fact, only 13 of the 25 cars valued at six figures were sold.
Of the nine Ferraris, only four found a new owner, with 78% of the median estimate being offered. The 365 GTB/4 Daytona from 1972 remained, as did the 330 America from 1963 and the 250 GTE.
Only a 365 GTC/4 from 1972 was sold among the classic Ferrari sports cars, and even this sold for a rather disappointing EUR 168,200.
Trigano cars in demand
The third part of the auction with the more affordable Trigano cars was completely different from the first two parts. On average, 156% of the median estimate was bid here and as all the cars were offered without a limit, they were of course all sold.
Some cars clearly outperformed their estimates. The 1989 Chrysler LE Baron, for example, fetched 3.5 times the expected price, while the buyer paid a good two and a half times the (low) estimate for a Rolls-Royce Corniche.
And a 1991 Pontiac Trans Sport SE was also worth significantly more to the buyer than estimated, he paid EUR 18,560 for it. This was even more than the amount another bidder had to pay for a Lancia Flaminia as a Pininfarina Coupé (EUR 16,240).
Even older and somewhat bulkier vehicles from the Trigano collection sold well, with the buyer paying EUR 18,560 for the 1951 Salmson G72 Randonnée, while a 1945 Willys Jeep MB sold for EUR 34,800, significantly more than the estimate.
The auction lasted around five hours, and by the end the room had thinned out considerably, but the bidding was strong right to the end.
Offered and Sold Vehicles
The following table lists all offered and sold vehicles with estimated prices, highest bids, and sale prices. The price conversion was made at the exchange rate valid on the auction day. All information is provided without guarantee.
| Lot | Car | Year | EUR Est from | EUR Est to | EUR HP | EUR SP | CHF SP | % Est | S |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Fiat 500 L | 1971 | 10'000 | 15'000 | 15'000 | 17'400 | 16'355 | +39.2%
|
V |
| 002 | Fiat 850 Sport Coupé | 1971 | 12'000 | 18'000 | 9000 | 10'440 | 9813 | -30.4%
|
V |
| 003 | Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit | 1996 | 40'000 | 60'000 | 70'000 | 81'200 | 76'328 | +62.4%
|
V |
| 004 | Jaguar XK8 Cabriolet | 1997 | 15'000 | 25'000 | Z | ||||
| 005 | Ferrari 456 GTA | 1997 | 40'000 | 60'000 | 56'000 | 64'960 | 61'062 | +29.92%
|
V |
| 006 | BMW 850 CSI | 1993 | 55'000 | 75'000 | 53'000 | 61'480 | 57'791 | -5.42%
|
V |
| 007 | Cadillac DeVille Convertible | 1967 | 20'000 | 30'000 | 22'000 | 25'520 | 23'988 | +2.08%
|
V |
All information is provided without guarantee.
Legend: Column S = Status (V = Sold, N = Not sold, Z = Withdrawn, U = Under reserve)
Est = Estimate, HP = Hammer Price, SP = Sale Price
