On January 31, 2024, RM/Sotheby's auctioned 72 cars, a motorcycle, a children's car and a wind tunnel model in the heart of Paris during Rétromobile Week. The latter sold for a whopping EUR 660,000, or more than double its estimate, but it was also a Ferrari FXX-K Evo. But even a few Ferrari Monza SP1/SP2 paraphernalia (e.g. helmets) were sold for EUR 30,000. This gave rise to high hopes for the cars on offer.
The value of the vehicles was over EUR 55 million. An average of around EUR 758,425 was expected per car (or motorcycle). 56 percent of the vehicles were offered without a reserve price and even some expensive cars went under the hammer without a limit.
The event in the stylish Salles du Carrousel in the Louvre Palace was well attended and lasted around four hours.
Ferrari by far the best represented
23 Ferraris and 16 Porsches together made up more than half of RM's Parisian offering. The Ferrari were on average 37 years old, the estimated values reached an average of 90% of the average estimate and 78% of the Ferrari ultimately found a new owner for an average of EUR 1.033 million.
The 16 relatively young Porsches (average age 29 years) suffered somewhat more; five of them, including the 962C racing car, were left standing, while the rest were sold for an average of EUR 313,261.
By contrast, all four of the Rolls-Royces with an average age of 82 were sold.
All other brands were represented by a maximum of two vehicles.
The short wheel base outshone all
The yellow Ferrari racing coupé was already clearly the star of the auction and the Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta Competizione from 1960 did not disappoint. The winning bidder ultimately invested EUR 10.158 million (CHF 9.447 million).
Chassis number 1773 GT has 14 podium finishes in over 20 races in its time, including a fifth place in its class at the 12 Hours of Sebring.
The restoration is said to have cost almost one million USD and of course a Ferrari Classique Red Book was available.
The second most expensive car was also a classic Ferrari, namely a 275 GTB/6C with aluminum bodywork from 1966, for which EUR 3.211 million (CHF 2.987 million) was paid.
Pre-war cars put up a good fight
With around one sixth of the cars, pre-war vehicles were definitely present at RM in Paris. They were all sold except for an Avions Voisin C25 'Clariere' from 1935.
However, some of the highest bids differed significantly from the estimates. A Rolls-Royce 40/50 HP Silver Ghost Tourer by Rothschild et Fils from 1920, for example, sold for EUR 218,500 (CHF 203,205, expected EUR 350,000 to 450,000.
A Hispano Suiza J12 from 1934 and a Bugatti Type 40 from 1926 were also sold for significantly less than expected.
However, a Rolls-Royce Phantom II Continental Berline by Fernandez et Darrin from 1933 and another Hispano-Suiza H6 Torpédo by Duvivier from 1919 sold for even more than predicted.
Especially with the pre-war cars, one could observe how selective the public was.
20 almost new vehicles
With more than a quarter of the cars, the very young vehicles from 2005 onwards were strongly represented.
They also ensured high prices, even if the estimates were not quite reached. The rare Maserati MC12 Versione Corsa from 2007 found a new owner for EUR 3.043 million (CHF 2.83 million), while the buyer paid EUR 2.424 million (CHF 2.254 million) for a Koenigsegg Regera from 2021. And a McLaren P1 passed into new hands for EUR 1.02 million (CHF 946,275).
However, some young cars were also left standing, such as a Porsche 911 GT from 1996, a Ferrari Enzo from 2003 and the Ferrari LaFerrari and Lamborghini Centenario LP770-4 Roadster, which were announced with high estimates. A Porsche 918 from 2014 and a Bugatti Chiron from 2017 were also knocked down.
Super classics still in demand
Somewhat overshadowed by the SWB, a whole series of other Ferraris found new owners, such as a 250 GT Coupé from 1956, a Dino 246 GTS from 1973 for an impressive EUR 635,000 (CHF 590,550) ...
... and thus even more expensive than a 365 GTB/4 Daytona from 1971, which went for EUR 533,750 (CHF 496,388). Who would have predicted this 30 15 years ago?
A 1980 BMW M1 sold for EUR 522,500 (CHF 485,925) and the 1993 Porsche 911 Turbo 3.6 (from the 964 series) sold for more than double its estimate at EUR 511,250 (CH 475,463).
For a Ferrari 250 GTE 2+2 from 1963 you had to pay EUR 387,500 (CHF 360,375) and thus only a little more than for the Fiat 500 as Spiaggina Boano from 1958, which at EUR 370,625 (CHF 344,681) was even more expensive than the already high estimate.
This was one of probably two beach cars built, with unimpressive performance and rather uncomfortable seats. But the fact that the car was unrestored and once belonged to Gianni Agnelli probably made all the difference.
Cheap cars too?
Some cars fetched significantly lower prices than expected.
For example, a Ferrari 365 GT 2+2 alias Queen Mary from 1969 could be had for EUR 175,375 (CHF 163,099), while a Rolls-Royce Camargue from 1981 cost just EUR 54,625 (CHF 50,801).
For EUR 126,500 (CHF 117,645) you could buy a Porsche 911 S 2.4 from 1973, and for EUR 86,250 (CHF 80,213) a Ferrari 348 Spider from 1993.
The 1965 Jeep Wagoneer found a new owner who was prepared to pay EUR 46,000 (CHF 42,780) for it. And a Ferrari 328 GTB even went for EUR 120,750 (CHF 112,298) instead of the estimated EUR 70,000 to 90,000.
No interest in low-rise buildings?
Surprisingly, there was little demand for two flat-nosed Porsches.
Neither the 928 GT from 1989 nor the 911 Turbo from 1986 received sufficient offers.
The sales quota on January 31, 2024 was 82%, and a total of EUR 34.44 million was sold, a respectable result for the relatively tense situation in Paris with the striking farmers in their tractors around the French capital.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 104 | Bimota Tesi H2 Carbon | 2022 | 50'000 | 80'000 | 30'000 | 36'000 | 33'480 | -44.62%
|
V |
| 105 | Jeep Wagoneer | 1965 | 30'000 | 40'000 | 40'000 | 46'000 | 42'780 | +31.43%
|
V |
| 106 | Alfa Romeo SZ | 1991 | 55'000 | 75'000 | 60'000 | 69'000 | 64'170 | +6.15%
|
V |
| 107 | Packard Deluxe Eight | 1929 | 40'000 | 60'000 | 42'500 | 48'875 | 45'453 | -2.25%
|
V |
| 108 | Ferrari 348 Spider | 1993 | 90'000 | 110'000 | 75'000 | 86'250 | 80'212 | -13.75%
|
V |
| 109 | Porsche 911 S 2.4 Coupé | 1973 | 130'000 | 170'000 | 110'000 | 126'500 | 117'645 | -15.67%
|
V |
| 110 | Ferrari 365 GT 2+2 by Pininfarina | 1969 | 200'000 | 250'000 | 152'500 | 175'375 | 163'098 | -22.06%
|
V |
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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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