The tension in the packed auction room in Hall 2 of the Rétromobile Paris on February 5, 2016 was enormous. The approximately 2,000 observers had to wait around three hours until the 1957 Ferrari 335 S was rolled onto the stage. The hall was darkened.

The sports car was pushed in by manpower, then the most beautiful moments of the car were recapitulated on film. Hervé Poulain took the opportunity to recite a few beautiful sentences from a past hero and then the bids were finally accepted.

Poulain called out 20 million euros as the starting bid and the sensational two-seater sports car with Le Mans and Mille Migla history quickly rose to 27 million euros, with increments of millions becoming increments of 50,000, prompting boos from the audience as if the five-figure sum was a pittance.
In the end, the car threatened to stop at 27.95 million. But then Max Girardo - yes, the RM/Sotheby's auctioneer - placed the final bid for a customer on a cell phone, 28 million euros, which meant a sale price including surcharge/commissions of EUR 32 million (CHF 35.6 million). Sold! Big applause in the hall.

The clock showed 18:45 and all the excitement fizzled out, about a third of the spectators left immediately, they had witnessed the sensation, their arms were tired from holding up their cell phones for so long to immortalize the unique moment. The following Fiat 500 Speziale from 1973 was then only of marginal interest.
Wide range
Maître Poulain was able to call up 123 cars and an impressive ship. The 124 lots were estimated at 78 million euros, so Artcurial didn't need to hide behind RM/Sotheby's or Bonhams; an average price of over half a million is clearly "Premiere League" in the auction environment.
The Ferrari 335 S was of course only the spearhead. The 123 car lots were divided among 44 brands. With 21 sports and racing cars, the Ferrari share was the largest, followed by Porsche (10 cars), Lamborghini (9), Alfa Romeo and Maserati (8 each). The range of brands was impressive and also included exotics such as Osca, Ligier, Graham Paige, ASA and Amilcar.
Just over 10% of the cars were from the pre-war period, with the largest contingent representing vehicles from the 1960s and 1950s, each accounting for just under a quarter.
Exaggerated expectations?
In the end, 78 million was not achieved, and the sales total at the end of the day, including surcharge/commission (the buyer had to add around 20% to the hammer price together with VAT), amounted to EUR 68.3 million, which was 87% of the targeted sum. Overall, 27% of the lots remained unsold, with the hammer prices averaging 88% of the estimated price, which can certainly be considered a good result.
However, Artcurial was not entirely satisfied with the expensive lots in particular, such as the last Ferrari 250 GT SWB built in 1963, which was only good for a top bid of EUR 7.8 million instead of the expected EUR 9 to 12 million, as only three of the ten vehicles with the highest valuation were sold, while seven went back to the consignor.
On average, a buyer paid incl. surcharge/commission/VAT EUR 602,475 (CHF 668,748) for an auctioned vehicle, which was 95% of the average estimate.
Special bodies undervalued?
Around one and a half dozen special bodies were waiting for new owners at Artcurial, but the bidders were only moderately interested. The estimated prices averaged EUR 220,000, but even that was too much for the interested parties. For many vehicles, such as the 1950 Talbot Lago Record Grand Sport Cabriolet Graber, the highest bid reached just 71% of the median estimate, but the elegant one-off was nevertheless sold for EUR 202,640 (CHF 224,930).
Things went even worse for the certainly special Delahaye 135 MS Coupé by Ghia Turin from 1949, just 61% of the estimated value was offered, the new owner put down EUR 160,920 (CHF 178,621), i.e. less than he would have had to pay for a Ferrari F355 Challenge from 1996.
The Georges Irat Cabriolet by Labourdette from 1949 found its way into a new straight as a bargain, selling for EUR 57,216 (CHF 63,510).

In stark contrast, the Ferrari Testarossa Spider Valeo built for Agnelli in 1986, estimated at EUR 680,00' to 900,000, shone.
"Le million, le million", Maître Poulain shouted into the microphone and the bidders let themselves be spurred on. Euro 1.02 million was bid (before surcharge/commission), which certainly makes the Testarossa the most expensive example of all time.
The special Bugatti limousine
A record was also set for the Bugatti EB110 SS "Le Mans" sold in 1995: EUR 941,700 (CHF 1,045,265) is certainly an impressive price.

Even more impressive was the EUR 1.9 million bid for the Bugatti EB112 saloon, which never went into series production and was only subsequently completed in 1999. However, the consignor obviously considered this to be too little, which is why the four-door car was not sold.
Restoration objects and barn finds
Of course, one year after the sensational Baillon auction, Artcurial could not resist offering some barn finds and restoration objects. An Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint GTA from 1965 was a surprise, as it presented a comparatively sad sight with clear accident damage and signs of oxidation.

However, this did not stop bidders from putting in more than double the amount that had been estimated in advance. It was only at EUR 370,000 (211% of the median estimate) that the hammer fell after fierce bidding wars. According to Artcurial, the sale price of EUR 441,040 (CHF 489,554) is a world record.

Other cars in need of repair or not drivable were also valued highly, even if this was less noticeable compared to the estimated price. For example, EUR 45,296 (CHF 50,279) was paid for an Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint from 1956, while EUR 175,000 was offered for a Lancia Flaminia 2800 Sport Zagato from 1960 that was in a desolate state, but this was not enough for the consignor.

And an early Maserati 3500 GT Vignale Spyder from 1960 was valued at EUR 548,320 (CHF 608,635).
The two-seater small electric car named Pierre Faure Type PFA from 1941 did not benefit as much from the enthusiasm, but at EUR 17,000, a respectable hammer price was still achieved for this extremely rare vehicle, which is largely made of wood.
Hardly any preferential treatment for French cars
Naturally, Artcurial had brought a large contingent of cars from France to the start, such as several Facel Vega, various Renault, Alpine and even a Ligier JS2. However, one did not get the impression that local production enjoyed preferential treatment from the bidders. The prices rarely reached the estimated values and some were not sold.
Nevertheless, a record-high price of EUR 500,640 (CHF 555,710) was recorded for the 1954 Facel Vega 54 Prototype "V", the direct predecessor of the Facel Vega.
Foreign vehicles were clearly more popular with the French than domestic products. A 1961 Mercedes-Benz 190 SL, for example, sold for 67% above its estimate, while a 1971 BMW 2002 Cabriolet sold for 50% above its estimate.
Some bargains too
Artcurial had offered 42 lots without a reserve price, which did not stop Maître Poulain from withdrawing one of them when he did not think it was a fair bid. In total, almost 20 cars were knocked down at hammer prices of less than 70% of the estimated value.

At the lower end, for example, a buyer was able to acquire a 1922 Stanley Steamer 735 for just EUR 23,840 (CHF 26,462). And the elegant 1952 Ford Comète also looked like a bargain at EUR 49,945 (CHF 55,439) - after all, one of its brothers once stood in the Museum of Modern Art.

The EUR 45,296 (CHF 50,279) for a largely serviceable Amilcar CGSS from 1927 also seems very reasonable, as a dilapidated ruin from the Baillon collection sold for considerably more a year ago.

The euphoria seemed to have faded a little, even if this does not mean that depression is on the cards. In any case, there was no shortage of interested bidders and spectators at Artcurial on February 5, 2016.
Results with the highest bids
The following list shows all vehicles offered and sold with estimated prices and hammer prices (highest bids, H-bid) in euros, as well as the selling price achieved (incl. surcharge/commission) in euros and CHF. Lots without sales prices could not be sold. The column "% Est" compares the hammer price (before surcharge/commission) with the average estimated value.
All information without guarantee.
The table can be sorted by clicking on the column headings.
Lot | Vehicle | Year | € Est from | € Est to | NoR | € Hbid | € VP | CHF VP VP | % Est |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
101 | Mercedes-Benz 190 SL | 1961 | 30000 | 60000 | yes | 75000 | 89400 | 99234 | 1.67 |
102 | Ferrari 308 GTSi | 1982 | 50000 | 70000 | yes | 45000 | 53640 | 59540 | 0.75 |
103 | Peugeot 202 Cabriolet | 1939 | 18000 | 24000 | Yes | 20000 | 23840 | 26462 | 0.95 |
104 | Peugeot 203 C convertible | 1955 | 60000 | 80000 | yes | 55000 | 65560 | 72772 | 0.79 |
105 | Renault Frégate Ondine Cabriolet par Ghia | 1953 | 80000 | 100000 | yes | 65000 | 77480 | 86003 | 0.72 |
106 | Peugeot 201 M Cabriolet | 1937 | 22000 | 28000 | yes | 28000 | 33376 | 37047 | 1.12 |
107 | Fiat 500 Lusso | 1971 | 18000 | 26000 | yes | 14000 | 16688 | 18524 | 0.64 |
108 | Dino 246 GT Série M | 1971 | 280000 | 330000 | 300000 | 357600 | 396936 | 0.98 | |
109 | Alfa Romeo 1750 | 1971 | 15000 | 25000 | Yes | 23000 | 27416 | 30432 | 1.15 |
110 | BMW 2002 convertible | 1971 | 30000 | 40000 | yes | 52000 | 61984 | 68802 | 1.49 |
111 | Ferrari 412 | 1989 | 70000 | 100000 | yes | 75000 | 89400 | 99234 | 0.88 |
112 | Ferrari Testarossa | 1986 | 130000 | 170000 | 130000 | 154960 | 172006 | 0.87 | |
113 | Lamborghini Espada Série II | 1971 | 150000 | 200000 | 135000 | 0.77 | |||
114 | BMW M635 CSI | 1985 | 40000 | 60000 | yes | 35000 | 41720 | 46309 | 0.7 |
115 | Morris Minor 1000 Traveler | 1968 | 8000 | 12000 | Yes | 14000 | 16688 | 18524 | 1.4 |
116 | Ferrari Testarossa Spider Valeo | 1986 | 680000 | 900000 | 1020000 | 1210080 | 1343189 | 1.29 | |
117 | Ferrari 512 BB | 1980 | 350000 | 450000 | 320000 | 0.8 | |||
118 | Ferrari California coupé-cabriolet Pininfarina | 2010 | 400000 | 600000 | 330000 | 393360 | 436630 | 0.66 | |
119 | Ferrari 512 TR | 1995 | 190000 | 230000 | 150000 | 0.71 | |||
120 | Alfa Romeo Junior 1600 Zagato | 1972 | 50000 | 70000 | yes | 65000 | 73904 | 82033 | 1.08 |
121 | Osca 1600 GT cabriolet par Fissore | 1963 | 170000 | 230000 | 170000 | 202640 | 224930 | 0.85 | |
122 | ASA 1000 GT coupé | 1965 | 100000 | 130000 | 114000 | 135888 | 150836 | 0.99 | |
123 | Italia 2000 | 1963 | 80000 | 100000 | 75000 | 89400 | 99234 | 0.83 | |
124 | Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint GTA | 1965 | 150000 | 200000 | 370000 | 441040 | 489554 | 2.11 | |
125 | Jaguar XK 120 | 1954 | 100000 | 150000 | Yes | 90000 | 0.72 | ||
126 | Jaguar XK 120 | 1954 | 100000 | 150000 | Yes | 96000 | 111360 | 123610 | 0.77 |
127 | Ford Comète | 1952 | 60000 | 80000 | yes | 35000 | 49945 | 55439 | 0.5 |
128 | Facel Vega HK 500 | 1960 | 100000 | 150000 | 90000 | 107280 | 119081 | 0.72 | |
129 | Salmson G72 Coupé par Saoutchik | 1951 | 160000 | 220000 | 155000 | 184760 | 205084 | 0.82 | |
130 | Delahaye 235 coupé Chapron | 1952 | 300000 | 400000 | 250000 | 298000 | 330780 | 0.71 | |
131 | Talbot Lago Record Grand Sport Cabriolet Graber | 1950 | 180000 | 300000 | 170000 | 202640 | 224930 | 0.71 | |
132 | Facel Vega FV4 | 1957 | 130000 | 190000 | 190000 | 226480 | 251393 | 1.19 | |
133 | Vega 54 Prototype ''V'' par Facel | 1954 | 350000 | 550000 | 420000 | 500640 | 555710 | 0.93 | |
134 | Delahaye 135 MS coupé Ghia Turin | 1949 | 180000 | 260000 | 135000 | 160920 | 178621 | 0.61 | |
135 | Maserati Ghibli 4.9LSS | 1971 | 280000 | 340000 | 225000 | 268200 | 297702 | 0.73 | |
136 | Maserati 3500 GT Vignale Spyder " Capot Long " | 1960 | 500000 | 700000 | 460000 | 548320 | 608635 | 0.77 | |
137 | Ferrari 330 GTC | 1968 | 400000 | 500000 | yes | 450000 | 536400 | 595404 | 1 |
138 | Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta | 1963 | 9000000 | 12000000 | 7800000 | 0.74 | |||
139 | Porsche 911 2.4 L S Targa | 1971 | 120000 | 160000 | 130000 | 154960 | 172006 | 0.93 | |
140 | Porsche Carrera 2,7L | 1976 | 220000 | 260000 | 200000 | 0.83 | |||
141 | Porsche 911 2,2L E | 1970 | 60000 | 80000 | yes | 78000 | 92976 | 103203 | 1.11 |
142 | Porsche 959 | 1988 | 1200000 | 1400000 | 850000 | 0.65 | |||
143 | Lamborghini Islero S | 1969 | 170000 | 210000 | 185000 | 220520 | 244777 | 0.97 | |
144 | Lamborghini 350 GT Touring | 1966 | 680000 | 780000 | 620000 | 0.85 | |||
145 | Maserati Khamsin | 1978 | 150000 | 200000 | 140000 | 166880 | 185237 | 0.8 | |
146 | Lamborghini Espada Série 1 | 1969 | 280000 | 340000 | 240000 | 0.77 | |||
147 | De Tomaso Mangusta | 1971 | 200000 | 300000 | 275000 | 327800 | 363858 | 1.1 | |
148 | Lamborghini Countach LP 400 coupé "Periscopio" | 1975 | 1200000 | 1500000 | 900000 | 1072800 | 1190808 | 0.67 | |
149 | Austin Mini Cooper S | 1966 | 40000 | 60000 | yes | 35000 | 41720 | 46309 | 0.7 |
150 | Austin Mini Countryman | 1961 | 30000 | 50000 | yes | 51000 | 60792 | 67479 | 1.28 |
151 | Mini John Cooper Works MPI | 1998 | 60000 | 80000 | yes | 60000 | 71520 | 79387 | 0.86 |
152 | Mini Cooper S Works n°50/50 | 2001 | 40000 | 60000 | yes | 45000 | 53640 | 59540 | 0.9 |
153 | Jaguar MKII par Vicarage | 1960 | 50000 | 70000 | yes | 58000 | 69136 | 76741 | 0.97 |
154 | Aston Martin DB2/4 MkIII coupé | 1957 | 240000 | 300000 | 230000 | 274160 | 304318 | 0.85 | |
155 | AC Ace Bristol roadster | 1959 | 150000 | 250000 | 260000 | 321840 | 357242 | 1.3 | |
156 | Aston Martin DB4 | 1961 | 450000 | 550000 | 450000 | 536400 | 595404 | 0.9 | |
157 | Aston Martin DB4 Convertible Series 5 | 1963 | 1250000 | 1500000 | 1250000 | 1473200 | 1635252 | 0.91 | |
158 | Lancia Flaminia Sport Zagato 2800 | 1960 | 200000 | 250000 | 175000 | 0.78 | |||
159 | Maserati Mistral Spider | 1965 | 550000 | 600000 | 450000 | 0.78 | |||
160 | Maserati Khamsin | 1978 | 250000 | 300000 | 210000 | 0.76 | |||
161 | Ligier JS2 | 1972 | 100000 | 150000 | yes | 120000 | 143040 | 158774 | 0.96 |
162 | Alpine-Renault A310 V6 " Poisson Dieppois " | 1974 | 200000 | 300000 | 170000 | 0.68 | |||
163 | Alpine-Renault A110 1600 S Groupe IV - Ex Jean Saurel | 1970 | 90000 | 140000 | 98000 | 116816 | 129666 | 0.85 | |
164 | Renault Dauphine 1093 | 1963 | 30000 | 40000 | Yes | 38000 | 42912 | 47632 | 1.09 |
165 | Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint | 1956 | 25000 | 35000 | Yes | 38000 | 45296 | 50279 | 1.27 |
166 | Lancia Stratos | 1976 | 350000 | 450000 | 310000 | 0.78 | |||
167 | Ferrari Testarossa | 1989 | 100000 | 150000 | 80000 | 107280 | 119081 | 0.64 | |
168 | Ferrari 308 GTS Quattrovalvole | 1985 | 95000 | 145000 | yes | 110000 | 131120 | 145543 | 0.92 |
169 | Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona | 1972 | 750000 | 900000 | 800000 | 953600 | 1058496 | 0.97 | |
170 | Ferrari 335 Sport Scaglietti | 1957 | 28000000 | 32000000 | 28000000 | 32075200 | 35603472 | 0.93 | |
171 | Fiat 500 Speziale | 1973 | 25000 | 35000 | yes | 18000 | 21456 | 23816 | 0.6 |
172 | Ferrari 328 GTS | 1987 | 75000 | 85000 | yes | 76000 | 90592 | 100557 | 0.95 |
173 | Ferrari F355 Challenge | 1996 | 125000 | 165000 | 148000 | 176416 | 195822 | 1.02 | |
174 | Ferrari Daytona 365 GTB/4 Spider, conversion par Straman | 1971 | 675000 | 800000 | 550000 | 0.75 | |||
175 | Moonbeam III Dit "Moonbeam of Fife" | 1903 | 500000 | 1500000 | yes | 930000 | 1107120 | 1228903 | 0.93 |
176 | Mercedes-Benz 300B cabriolet D | 1955 | 100000 | 150000 | yes | 150000 | 178800 | 198468 | 1.2 |
177 | Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5L cabriolet | 1970 | 280000 | 350000 | 290000 | 345680 | 383705 | 0.92 | |
178 | Pierre Faure Type PFA Biplace électrique, version luxe | 1941 | 15000 | 25000 | yes | 17000 | 20264 | 22493 | 0.85 |
179 | Simca Huit Sport Coupé | 1951 | 40000 | 50000 | yes | 55000 | 65560 | 72772 | 1.22 |
180 | Cisitalia 202 série A Cabriolet Farina | 1949 | 240000 | 280000 | 200000 | 286080 | 317549 | 0.77 | |
181 | Sizaire & Naudin Type F1 8 HP Sport | 1908 | 70000 | 90000 | yes | 100000 | 119200 | 132312 | 1.25 |
182 | Amilcar CGSs Biplace | 1927 | 50000 | 70000 | yes | 38000 | 45296 | 50279 | 0.63 |
183 | Bugatti Type 13 | 1920 | 360000 | 420000 | 300000 | 357600 | 396936 | 0.77 | |
184 | Georges Irat cabriolet par Labourdette | 1949 | 50000 | 100000 | yes | 48000 | 57216 | 63510 | 0.64 |
185 | Bucciali - Cord Type L29 modifié (2012/2013) | 1931 | 500000 | 700000 | 500000 | 596000 | 661560 | 0.83 | |
186 | Talbot Lago Sport 2500 | 1956 | 280000 | 340000 | 320000 | 381440 | 423398 | 1.03 | |
187 | Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 Super Sport | 1929 | 1350000 | 1550000 | 1260000 | 0.87 | |||
188 | Stanley modèle 735 à vapeur, torpédo | 1922 | 30000 | 60000 | yes | 20000 | 23840 | 26462 | 0.44 |
189 | Renault Viva Grand Sport cabriolet 3 places | 1936 | 80000 | 120000 | yes | 68000 | 81056 | 89972 | 0.68 |
190 | Autobianchi Bianchina Panoramica | 1966 | 15000 | 20000 | yes | 13000 | 15496 | 17201 | 0.74 |
191 | Cadillac series 62 convertible | 1949 | 40000 | 60000 | yes | 32000 | 38144 | 42340 | 0.64 |
192 | Graham Paige Type 97 supercharged convertible Pourtout | 1939 | 150000 | 200000 | 140000 | 166880 | 185237 | 0.8 | |
193 | Stanguellini 1100 coupé Motto | 1947 | 220000 | 280000 | 190000 | 0.76 | |||
194 | Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint Zagato "Coda tronca" | 1962 | 580000 | 720000 | 500000 | 0.77 | |||
195 | Alfa Romeo 1900 CSS Touring | 1957 | 200000 | 240000 | 150000 | 0.68 | |||
196 | Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint Speciale Bertone | 1965 | 120000 | 160000 | 110000 | 131120 | 145543 | 0.79 | |
197 | Bentley 6.5 L Tourer Vanden Plas | 1926 | 825000 | 950000 | 700000 | 0.79 | |||
198 | Maserati 3500 GTi Sebring | 1963 | 200000 | 250000 | 275000 | 327800 | 363858 | 1.22 | |
199 | Ferrari 250 GT coupé Pinin Farina | 1958 | 480000 | 560000 | 440000 | 524480 | 582173 | 0.85 | |
200 | Ferrari 250 GT cabriolet Pininfarina Série 2 avec hard-top inox unique | 1960 | 1400000 | 1800000 | 1200000 | 0.75 | |||
201 | Ferrari 330 GT 2+2 | 1965 | 310000 | 340000 | 260000 | 0.8 | |||
202 | Lamborghini Miura S | 1970 | 900000 | 1100000 | 860000 | 0.86 | |||
203 | Lamborghini Diablo Roadster VT 5.7 | 1999 | 250000 | 300000 | 210000 | 0.76 | |||
204 | Lamborghini 400 GT Jarama | 1971 | 240000 | 260000 | 200000 | 0.8 | |||
205 | Porsche 911 Type 993 RS | 1995 | 250000 | 300000 | 245000 | 292040 | 324164 | 0.89 | |
206 | Porsche 911 Carrera 2.7L RS Touring | 1973 | 600000 | 800000 | 530000 | 0.76 | |||
207 | Porsche 2.0L S châssis court | 1967 | 120000 | 150000 | 90000 | 0.67 | |||
208 | Porsche 993 GT2 Evo | 1997 | 550000 | 750000 | 350000 | 0.54 | |||
209 | Porsche 997 Cup | 2006 | 100000 | 120000 | 75000 | 0.68 | |||
210 | Lamborghini Diablo | 1991 | 180000 | 240000 | 170000 | 202640 | 224930 | 0.81 | |
211 | Bugatti EB110 Super Sport | 1995 | 800000 | 1200000 | 780000 | 929760 | 1032034 | 0.78 | |
212 | Bugatti EB110 SS " Sport Competizione - Le Mans " | 1995 | 800000 | 1200000 | 790000 | 941680 | 1045265 | 0.79 | |
213 | Bugatti EB112 berline | 1999 | n.a. | 1900000 | |||||
214 | Facel Vega FV4 | 1958 | 175000 | 200000 | 180000 | 214560 | 238162 | 0.96 | |
215 | Fiat Abarth 750 GT Zagato | 1958 | 45000 | 55000 | Yes | 45000 | 53640 | 59540 | 0.9 |
216 | Maserati Merak | 1975 | 45000 | 65000 | yes | 46000 | 54832 | 60864 | 0.84 |
217 | Lancia Hyena | 1993 | 220000 | 260000 | 190000 | 0.79 | |||
218 | Ferrari 512 BB | 1977 | 390000 | 440000 | 350000 | 0.84 | |||
219 | Dino 246 GT | 1973 | 300000 | 350000 | 300000 | 357600 | 396936 | 0.92 | |
220 | Maserati Ghibli 4.7L | 1968 | 250000 | 280000 | 220000 | 0.83 | |||
221 | Porsche 964 Carrera RS | 1992 | 150000 | 200000 | 170000 | 202640 | 224930 | 0.97 | |
222 | Lancia Aurelia B20 GT 2ème série | 1952 | 115000 | 135000 | 125000 | 149000 | 165390 | 1 | |
223 | Ferrari 330 GT 2+2 | 1964 | 350000 | 400000 | 280000 | 0.75 | |||
224 | Talbot Lago T26 Record Sport par Dubos | 1951 | 240000 | 320000 | 220000 | 262240 | 291086 | 0.79 |