Just like last year, RM Sotheby's organized the traditional Paris auction on 28 January 2026 in the immediate vicinity of the Louvre in the city centre. There were 79 vehicles on offer, including a Vespa and a trailer. A number of automobilia and children's cars also went under the hammer.
In total, the 79 vehicles had been estimated in advance at around EUR 98.5 million. 46% were offered without a reserve price. The average age of the cars on offer was around 49 years.
The pre-auction viewing had already attracted a great deal of interest, with queues of 100 to 200 meters in front of the entrance. And on the day of the auction, too, there were more interested parties than there was room for on the chairs.
A fast start
At the beginning of the auction, which lasted around six hours, a number of Ferrari accessories such as an F40 exhaust system and a tool set for the 288 GTO came under the hammer from 3 p.m. onwards. The interested parties did not let themselves get carried away. EUR 11,700 was paid for the used exhaust, a 512-BB luggage set went for EUR 13,200 and as much as EUR 50,400 was paid for an F355 conversion into a coffee table, four times the upper estimate.
On average, all estimated values before the first vehicle were exceeded by more than 1.5 times, with only a few children's cars being sold for less than expected.
For the Ferrari Testa Rossa J from Hedley Studios, however, the buyer paid EUR 204,000, significantly more than the original price.
But the surprises didn't end there, as the first vehicle to go under the hammer was a Vespa LX 125 from 2007. The estimate of EUR 15,000 to 20,000 already indicated that this was no ordinary four-tract Vespa. Although technically unchanged, it was one of seven Ferrari editions with red paintwork, a little horse and Schedoni leather saddle.
The bidding only ended at EUR 66,000, and a fan paid EUR 79,200 (CHF 72,864) for this hardly driven Vespa.
When it came to the cars, however, the gap between expectations and reality was somewhat smaller.
California Spider as the most expensive car
The Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider from 1960 with chassis number 1915 GT was one of 56 examples of this type with the short wheelbase and one of 39 examples with covered headlights. Of course, the car was Ferrari-certified and restored to a high standard, but it even included metallurgical ingredients and a replacement engine as well as four additional Borrarni wheels in the estimated value of EUR 12 to 14 million.
With a top bid of EUR 12.5 million, the lower estimate was narrowly exceeded and the black Spider found a new owner for EUR 14.1 million or CHF 12.9 million.
The Ferrari 250 GT LWB Berlinetta Tour de France from 1956 was estimated to be even more expensive. At least ("in excess of") EUR 13 million had been estimated for the car with chassis number 0557 GT; after all, it was the winner of the 56th Tour de France and thus the namesake of an entire model series. Driven by Marquis Alfonso de Portago, the car won all the races for which it was entered.
The impressive history was not enough for the bidders, no one wanted to put in more than EUR 12 million, so this Ferrari remained unsold (for the time being).
Young Ferrari on the up
Heralded by the excellent sales results of the Mecum auction in Kissimmee, special and rare young Ferraris were also able to enjoy high hammer prices in Paris.
The 2004 Ferrari Enzo, estimated at EUR 3.8 to 4.2 million, was knocked down for EUR 7.2 million and thus sold for EUR 8.105 million (CHF 7.457 million).
Following close behind was a 1997 Ferrari F50, for which the new owner invested EUR 7.6 million or CHF 6.99 million.
The Ferrari 288 GTO from 1985 was also sold for EUR 5.855 million or CHF 5.387 million, which was more expensive than expected.
With these valuations, the three young Ferraris even outperformed the Bugatti Bolide from 2004, which was launched with much advance praise. With a sales price of EUR 4 million (CHF 3.68 million), the Bugatti at least came close to the lower estimate.
Another young Ferrari then provided a surprise, as the blue FF from 2013 on offer was sold for EUR 398,750 or CHF 366,850 instead of the expected EUR 220,000 to 320,000.
Little enthusiasm for the pre-war cars
There were ten pre-war cars at RM Sotheby's in Paris, seven of which were sold. However, the highest bids were significantly lower than the estimates, with an average of just 70% of the median estimate, or even 67% if the trailer is not taken into account.
Both pre-war Alfas, a 6C 1750 GS from 1930 and an 8C 2300 from 1934, did not find a new owner. The Hispano-Suiza had a similar fate.
All the pre-war Bentleys, a 1939 BMW 327 Sport Cabriolet and the Talbot-Lago T26 Grand Sport were sold. However, the prices probably fell well short of the consignors' hopes.
Tough bidding battle for the Lamborghini Miura SV
The Lamborghini Miura SV from 1971 had been estimated in advance at between EUR 3.3 and 3.6 million. Chassis 4840 is one of only 150 SVs built, the final specification of the Miura. With its original engine and lavishly restored, the beautifully centered Miura really did look extremely appetizing.
Nevertheless, the bidders were slow to rise to the regions required for a knockdown. At EUR 3.3 million, exactly the lower estimate, the SV was finally knocked down. With buyer's commission, this amounted to EUR 3.712 million or CHF 3.42 million.
However, the Lamborghini fared even better than the elegant silver-colored Ferrari 275 GTB from 1965, where the bid of EUR 1.9 million was not enough to win the auction.
The Ferrari Dino 206 S from 1967, which failed to sell at EUR 3.05 million, also remained unsold.
All Mercedes-Benz sold
While only 60% of all 10 Porsches on offer and only 70% of the 23 Ferraris represented found a new owner, all nine Mercedes-Benzes auctioned were sold. Of course, this was helped by a high proportion of vehicles that went under the hammer without a reserve price.
The biggest surprise among the star vehicles was a Pagoda. The 280 SL from 1969 was sold to a new owner for EUR 201,250 or CHF 185,150, whereas only EUR 120,000 to 140,000 had been expected.
The other Mercedes achieved solid results, apart from the 300 S from 1954, which only sold for just over half its estimated value.
EUR 1.327 million or CHF 1.22 million was paid for a 1954 Gullwing, while a 300 SL Roadster went for EUR 1.355 million or CHF 1.247 million.
The SLS AMG Gullwing from 2013 sold well, fetching EUR 275,000 or CHF 253,000.
The most expensive sale, however, was one of only 25 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Stirling Moss cars built in 2009, in which the new owner invested EUR 3.07 million or CHF 2.83 million.
Among the Porsche models, there were two 356 Carrera variants that were sold, but also a 1973 Carrera RS 2.7 Touring, which passed into new hands for just EUR 353,750 or CHF 325,450, well below expectations, which were set at EUR 425,000 to 625,000.
Favorable opportunities?
Of course, RM Sotheby's also had some cars below EUR 100,000 in its "luggage". However, some of them only became affordable because they fell well short of the estimate.
You could buy a 1973 Citroën SM for EUR 54,625 or CHF 50,250.
For a 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray convertible, EUR 62,100 or CHF 57,130 was enough for the takeover.
An Alfa Romeo 2600 Sprint from 1964 could be bought at auction for EUR 34,500 or CHF 31,740, a Jaguar XK120 Roadster from 1952 for EUR 71,875 or CHF 66,125.
And the green manual Ferrari 400i from 1983 also seemed to offer good value for EUR 89,125 or CHF 81,995.
Even slightly more expensive than expected, a VW 1302 from 1971 was brokered for EUR 18,975 or CHF 17,450.
The prices achieved by two BMW M3 variants did not really match the "cheap" attribute. The 1990 M3 (E30) Sport Evolution sold for EUR 207,000 or CHF 190,440, while the new owner of the 2004 M3 CSL (E46) paid EUR 129,375 or CHF 119,025.
With a sales rate of 80 % and an average highest bid of 85 % of the average estimate, those responsible at RM Sotheby's must certainly have been satisfied with the EUR 69 million or CHF 63.6 million achieved, even if one or two of the flagship cars did not find a new owner.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 117 | Piaggio Vespa LX 125 'Ferrari Edition' | 2007 | 15'000 | 20'000 | 66'000 | 79'200 | 72'864 | +352.57%
|
V |
| 118 | Jaguar E-Type Series 1 3.8-Litre Roadster 'Project' | 1963 | 30'000 | 60'000 | 19'000 | 21'850 | 20'102 | -51.44%
|
V |
| 119 | Jaguar E-Type Series 1 4.2-Litre Fixed Head Coupé 'Project' | 1965 | 30'000 | 60'000 | Z | ||||
| 120 | Aston Martin V8 Vantage Volante 'X-Pack' | 1989 | 250'000 | 350'000 | 290'000 | 331'250 | 304'750 | +10.42%
|
V |
| 121 | BMW M3 Sport Evolution | 1990 | 190'000 | 240'000 | 180'000 | 207'000 | 190'440 | -3.72%
|
V |
| 122 | Ferrari FF | 2013 | 220'000 | 320'000 | 350'000 | 398'750 | 366'850 | +47.69%
|
V |
| 123 | Renault Clio V6 Phase 2 'TWR Development Car' | 2001 | 70'000 | 100'000 | Z |
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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
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