RM/Sotheby's traditionally kicks off the Rétromobile week with an auction at Place Vauban. On February 6, 2019, many wealthy and, on average, surprisingly young customers gathered in the tent in front of an impressive backdrop to bid on 85 automobiles in addition to several automobiles.
The total value of the cars was well over EUR 50 million (CHF 57 million). On average, around EUR 600,000 was expected per car.
However, things did not go so well, with 76 percent of the cars sold in the end, for an average of EUR 493,921. Most of the more expensive cars were left standing, so that the sales total amounted to around EUR 32 million.
Sympathy award for Citroën HY
The main surprise of the evening was provided by a car that was actually in a rather pitiful condition on the marquee wall, a Citroën HY from 1950. However, the bidders were apparently particularly taken with the "patina" and the beautiful company lettering. In any case, the bids only stopped at EUR 38,000, around 190 percent of the median estimate.
However, those present had already proved that their wallets were loose when it came to memorabilia. The helmet of Grand Prix driver Ayrton Senna was worth a maximum bid of EUR 135,000 to one bidder, and Michael Schumacher's helmet also fetched more than its estimated value. The steering wheel from Schumacher's 1994 Benetton B193B was even gilded at EUR 16,000 (highest bid), while a steel watch once owned by Schumacher fetched a top bid of EUR 8,500, more than double the expected amount.
Ferrari F40 LM with Le Mans history as the most expensive car
Things got really expensive a few lots later, however, when the Ferrari F40 LM from 1987 came under the hammer. This was one of 19 racing versions built by Michelotto. With two Le Mans participations and several podium finishes in the GT championships of those years, the Ferrari had a respectable palmares.
This apparently also appealed to the interested parties and so, after a rather protracted bidding war, the car reached a top bid of EUR 4.3 million, which meant a sales price of EUR 4,842,500 or CHF 5,472,025. This made the F40 the most expensive car of the evening.
Porsche 911 below expectations
Four Porsche 911s were for sale at RM, but only two found new hands. One each from 1964 and 1965 fetched bids of 77 percent of the median estimate, which was not enough for the consignors.
This may come as a surprise, especially in the case of the 1964 911, as the highest bid was EUR 540,000, as opposed to the expected EUR 600,000 to 800,000.
Things went somewhat better for a 911 Carrera RS 2.7 from 1973, which went for EUR 511,250 (CHF 577,713), while a 911 S Coupé from 1967 went for EUR 189,750 (CHF 214,418).
No new owner for the BMW 507
The seller of the 1959 BMW 507 also had high expectations. EUR 2 to 2.2 million was estimated, but the bidders were not quite willing to accept this. The bids stopped at EUR 1.75 million, not enough for a sale.
It was a similar story for an Aston Martin DB2/4 Mk III from 1958 (highest bid EUR 160,000), the majestic Hispano-Suiza K6 Cabriolet by Brandone from 1935 (EUR 1.2 million) or the Lister-Jaguar Costin from 1959 (EUR 690,000), as well as several other classics.
A total of 20 cars were not sold, resulting in a sales quota of 76 percent.
The youngsters went to
On average, the cars offered by RM/Sotheby's were only around 41 years old, an indication that many young vehicles went under the hammer. In fact, the first tranche of the "Youngtimer Collection" formed a visible part of the auction. And these cars did surprisingly well. On average, bidding was almost at the level of the median estimate, although the swings upwards and downwards were considerable in this group in particular.
Instead of the expected EUR 40,000 to 50,000, EUR 75,000 was offered for a 1994 Mercedes-Benz E 500 "Limited", which meant a sales price of EUR 86,250 (CHF 97,463). A BMW-Alpine B12 6.0 in the long version from 2000 was worth EUR 48,875 or CHF 55,229 to the buyer.
And the 1989 Mercedes-Benz 560 SEC AMG 6.0 in wide-body configuration sold for EUR 297,500 or EUR 336,175, over 50 percent more expensive than expected.
However, there were also disappointments. The 1991 Mercedes-Benz 500 SL AMG 6.0, for example, fell well short of expectations at EUR 44,850 or CHF 50,681.
However, there were no real bargains to be had here. On the contrary. For a 1985 Audi Quattro, for example, the new owner had to pay EUR 77,625 (CHF 87,716), the highest bid was 50 percent above the median estimate.
From 1900 ...
The oldest car in the auction was a Panhard et Levassor 16 HP Rear Entrance Tonneau from 1900, which was offered for EUR 275,000 to 325,000.
This was obviously too much for the bidders, as they did not want to go over EUR 140,000. And so the car was left standing.
... until 2018
Almost new were two cars from Bugatti and Mercedes-Benz, a Chiron from 2018 (EUR 2.36 to 2.75 million) and a "Final Edition" G-Class 65 AMG from the same year (EUR 250,000 to 300,000).
Both found buyers, albeit not quite at the estimated value. The Chiron cost EUR 2.275 million (CHF 2.751 million), which, unlike the two Veyron cars on offer, meant that it was still sold.
The new owner paid EUR 280,625 or CHF 317,106 for the G 65.
Mixed results for the super classics
Of course, the super classics were also present at RM in Paris. However, not all of them performed as expected.
The Porsche 550 RS Spyder from 1956, which at least competed at Le Mans, achieved a sales price of EUR 3.043 million (CHF 3.438 million).
The buyer had to pay EUR 2.86 million (CHF 3.23 million) for a Ferrari 275 GTB/6C Alu from 1966.
An Osca MT4-2Ad from 1955 (highest bid EUR 1.05 million) was left hanging, as was a Ferrari 250 GT Cabriolet from 1960 (EUR 1.0 million). At least its little brother, a Ferrari 250 GT Coupé Pinin Farina from the same year, found a new owner for EUR 635,000 (EUR 717,550).
The Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster from 1957 also passed into new hands (EUR 902,188 or CHF 1,019,472).
And a Bugatti EB110 Super Sport from 1994 was even sold above its estimated value for EUR 2.03 million (CHF 2.294 million).
The two Maserati Mistral 3.7s were sold, the Coupé at EUR 100,000 (CHF 113,000), well below expectations, and the 1966 Spyder at EUR 522,500 (CHF 590,425), in line with the estimate.
Less money than expected
There were no really cheap cars at RM/Sotheby's. A Citroën 2 CV from 1957 went for EUR 20,700 (CHF 23,391), while a Fiat 520 Cabriolet from 1927 went for EUR 23,575 or CHF 26,640.
However, the fact that the total turnover of around EUR 36 million was well below expectations (over EUR 50 million) had more to do with the not always satisfactory performance of the more expensive cars, including the Ferrari SP30 from 2011, for which EUR 1.95 million was offered, but which is still said to have been far below the estimate (only mentioned behind closed doors).
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 112 | Brütsch Mopetta | 1957 | 90'000 | 120'000 | 60'000 | 69'000 | 77'969 | -34.29%
|
V |
| 113 | Liuzzi Lido Runabout "Sois Sage II" | 1957 | 40'000 | 60'000 | Z | ||||
| 114 | Chevrolet Corvette | 1956 | 80'000 | 100'000 | 90'000 | 103'500 | 116'954 | +15%
|
V |
| 115 | Citroën 2CV | 1957 | 15'000 | 20'000 | 18'000 | 20'700 | 23'390 | +18.29%
|
V |
| 116 | Citroën HY Panelvan | 1950 | 15'000 | 25'000 | 38'000 | 43'700 | 49'380 | +118.5%
|
V |
| 117 | Alfa Romeo 1900C Super Sprint Coupé Touring | 1954 | 250'000 | 300'000 | 200'000 | 230'000 | 259'899 | -16.36%
|
V |
| 118 | Fiat 520 Cabriolet | 1927 | 15'000 | 25'000 | 20'500 | 23'575 | 26'639 | +17.88%
|
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
