RM Sotheby's auctioned 110 collectible cars at the Rétromobile in Paris on February 4 and 5. There was one less than the originally announced 111, because the Lamborghini Murciélago LP640-4 with lot number 243 was withdrawn before the auction began. Of the remaining 97 lots (88%) were sold.

Half of the total proceeds of almost 70 million euros came from lot number 262 alone: the Ferrari 250 LM, in which Jochen Rindt and Masten Gregory won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1965, was worth a maximum bid of 31 million euros to a telephone bidder, resulting in a sale price of 34.8 million euros.

Interest in the red racer was very high, but more from a spectator's than a bidder's point of view. Although the hall was packed, the price did not escalate to record heights. After a starting bid of 14 million euros, things initially went up well in two-million-euro increments. Towards the end, however, each new bid had to be fought for with 500,000 euro intervals.
Bugatti with little success
In general, the public seemed to want to attend rather than participate in some of the lots. Over three quarters of the cars were sold below their median estimate.

Two cars - a Bugatti 49 with Van Rijswijk bodywork and a Citroën 7 CV Cabriolet - did not even fetch half the targeted amount. The Bugatti was sold for 184,000 euros, a good 61 percent below the estimate. The Citroën, which sold for 40,250 euros, missed its target by almost 60 percent.
Bugattis generally did not seem to do well. The Type 37 and the Centodieci remained unsold with maximum bids of 640,000 euros and 9 million euros respectively. The only other example to be knocked down - a 57 with a Gangloff body - also went for just over half of the median estimate. Of course, the 308,750 euro sales price is still a lot of money in absolute terms.
Ferrari expensive, Porsche popular
The narrowest wallets were required for two Alfa Romeos: an Alfetta GTV 2.0, which sold for 11,500 euros and thus pretty much met its estimate, and a 2000 Berlina for 12,075 euros.
At the other end of the financial spectrum, there was also an Italian double top, which was of course led by the 250 LM. The second most expensive car at the auction - a La Ferrari - fetched just over a tenth of the top price at 3.5 million.
The big winners of the auction, however, were three Porsches: a 911 Carrera 3.2, a 911 Turbo as a "Flachschnauzer" and a 911 Carrera S as a 40-year special model each outbid their estimates by around 60 percent.
The sports cars from Stuttgart generally seemed to do well: With sales prices averaging 90 percent of the estimate, Porsche was by far the most successful brand of all those listed with more than two lots in the catalog. Remarkably, the "normal" Porsche 928 S4 Club Sport, at 393,125 euros, was more than twice as expensive as the prototype, which sold for 143,750 euros.
Unexpected and unsold
It was also unusual (at least for Europe) that a comparatively ordinary American was able to significantly exceed expectations. The '53 Buick Roadmaster sold for 92,000 euros, more than 40 percent above the estimated price. In view of this, it is astonishing that the '66 Shelby GT 350 only achieved just under three quarters of the estimate at 126,500 euros and could therefore almost be considered a bargain.
There were also considerable differences in some of the 13 unsold lots. While some fell just short of expectations (Bugatti Centodieci or Talbot AV105), others were quite clearly unpopular. Simca-Gordini 8, Jaguar XJR 10 and Abarth 208 A Spyder - just like the aforementioned Bugatti 37 - were barely able to elicit bids above half the estimated price.
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 | Alfa Romeo 2000 Berlina | 1973 | 15'000 | 20'000 | 10'500 | 12'075 | 11'350 | -31%
|
V |
| 102 | Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL 6.3 | 1970 | 30'000 | 40'000 | 28'000 | 32'200 | 30'268 | -8%
|
V |
| 103 | Alfa Romeo Giulia Super | 1965 | 25'000 | 35'000 | 18'000 | 20'700 | 19'458 | -31%
|
V |
| 104 | Renault 8 Gordini | 1969 | 40'000 | 50'000 | 24'000 | 27'600 | 25'944 | -38.67%
|
V |
| 105 | Porsche 911 Carrera 3.2 Coupé | 1985 | 50'000 | 70'000 | 82'000 | 94'300 | 88'642 | +57.17%
|
V |
| 106 | Lancia Lambda Torpedo Lungo | 1928 | 70'000 | 100'000 | 110'000 | 126'500 | 118'910 | +48.82%
|
V |
| 107 | Porsche 356 C 1600 SC Cabriolet | 1964 | 100'000 | 150'000 | 130'000 | 149'500 | 140'530 | +19.6%
|
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















































































































































































































































































