Bonhams' Paris auction was actually planned for the Thursday of the Rétromobile week as usual. However, with the postponement of the classic car show, Bonhams managers had to look for a new solution and found it in an online-only auction called "Les Grandes Marques du Monde à Paris", which brought 73 vehicles (plus a boat and a children's car) under the virtual hammer from March 3 to 10, 2021.
Together, the vehicle lots, which were on average 48 years old, were valued at around EUR 7.2 million.
63 percent of the vehicles were sold, with an average bid of 77% of the mean estimated value. An average of EUR 89,859 was paid per vehicle sold, resulting in a total turnover of just over EUR 4.1 million.
Maradona's Porsche
As a brand, Porsche had the largest contingent with nine vehicles, followed by Citroën with seven and Mercedes-Benz and Ferrari with six cars each. And Porsche also delivered the biggest surprise. Lot 154 was one of around 1200 Porsche 964 Carrera 6 Cabriolets built in the factory turbo look (i.e. wide). The car from 1992 was used as an everyday vehicle by the famous footballer Diego Armando Maradona during his season with Seville in 1993.
Since then, the Porsche has had six more owners and covered a total of over 120,000 km. Repainted in 2016/2017, the Porsche presented itself in good condition. Interest in the car was greater than expected, because instead of an estimated EUR 150,000 to 200,000, Maradona's Porsche ultimately realized EUR 483,000 (CHF 536,130), more than 2.5 times the estimate.
French with a weak result
Around a good seventh of the vehicles on offer came from France, but only three of them (27%) were sold. The highest bids were also well below expectations, averaging 62% of the average estimate. This would almost certainly have gone better locally and in Paris.
Other nations had an easier time, 86% of the 18 German cars on offer were sold, the British did well with 81%, as did the Italians with 71%. Only the Americans fared as badly as the French.
The range of cars from France was quite interesting. For example, there was the Salmson GSS Sports Tourer from 1926. This lightweight and charming 1920s sports car with chassis number 99 was once delivered to England and has an extensively documented history. Restored a few years ago, it was expected to fetch between EUR 100,000 and 140,000, but in the end the Salmson found a new owner for EUR 115,000 (CHF 127,650).
Less fortunate was one of around 105 Peugeot 402 Darl'Mat Roadsters/Coupés/Cabriolets built, of which only 30 are said to have survived. The open example on offer with chassis number 400233 from 1938 was estimated at EUR 350,000 to 550,000, but nobody wanted to bid more than EUR 280,000, which meant that the car was left standing and shared the fate of several Citroëns, as well as the Peugeot 205 Cabrolet "Roland Garros" from 1992.
Rally cars without success
There was also comparatively little interest in the rally cars on offer.
For example, the Berlinette Alpine A110 1600 SX in rally trim from 1976 only fetched EUR 80,000, which was not enough. A Sunbeam Tiger from 1965 also failed to find a new owner, with no one willing to bid more than EUR 32,000.
And the Studebaker Commander in the "Carrera Panamericana" look from 1955 was sold, but did not meet expectations at only EUR 20,700 instead of the estimated EUR 50,000 to 70,000.
A rally-prepared Mercedes-Benz 450 SLC from 1977 and a Lancia Delta Integrale Group A rally car from 1988 were also left standing; nobody wanted to go higher than EUR 280,000, while a civilian version in Ferrari yellow from 1992 found a new garage for EUR 86,250.
Specialties with a good price level
The early Morris Mini Cooper S from 1964 was a positive surprise, selling for EUR 63,250 instead of the estimated EUR 30,000 to 40,000.
A Mille Miglia-approved Fiat 1100 TV also changed hands for a sale price of EUR 63,250 above expectations.
The buyer paid EUR 25,300 for a Lotus Europa Special from 1973, while the particularly rare Gordon Keeble from 1964 changed hands for EUR 74,750.
And an enthusiast paid EUR 18,400 for a 1979 Fiat 131 Racing with the famous Lampredi double cam.
Super classics with mixed results
Some super classics were sold "in Paris", albeit mostly at prices slightly below the estimates. For example, the Aston Martin DB4 Series II from 1960 realized EUR 483,000, the Citroën DS21 I.E. Décapotable from 1971 EUR 172,500.
The highest bidder paid EUR 63,250 for a Porsche 993 Carrera 2 from 1994 and EUR 184,000 for a Ferrari 512 BBi from 1987.
The green Ferrari 308 GTB with a US past, on the other hand, changed hands for an above-average EUR 74,250.
Incidentally, the rare Opel Lotus Omega from 1990 sold for EUR 51,750, while the BMW M3 Cecotto from 1991 fetched EUR 63,250.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 101 | Lambretta 49.8cc J50 Motor Scooter | 1967 | 5000 | 8000 | 1500 | 1725 | 1914 | -73.46%
|
V |
| 102 | Honda CZ100 'MiniBike' | 1964 | 10'000 | 12'500 | 8000 | 9200 | 10'212 | -18.22%
|
V |
| 103 | Honda Z50M 'MonkyBike' | 1967 | 7500 | 10'000 | 8000 | 9200 | 10'212 | +5.14%
|
V |
| 104 | Honda ST70 'White Dax' 72cc | 1973 | 5000 | 7500 | 5500 | 6325 | 7020 | +1.2%
|
V |
| 105 | Honda Z50J Monkey 30th anniversary Limited Edition | 1997 | 5000 | 7500 | 9000 | 10'350 | 11'488 | +65.6%
|
V |
| 106 | Honda Z50A Monkeybike 'Claude Francois' by Podium | 1973 | 5000 | 7500 | 4200 | 4830 | 5361 | -22.72%
|
V |
| 109 | Fiat Abarth 850 TC Sports Saloon | 1961 | 40'000 | 60'000 | 32'000 | 36'800 | 40'848 | -26.4%
|
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
