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04/02/2012
Bonhams 'The Paris Sale', Paris 2 February 2012: Review

1961 Aston Martin DB4GT - Sold for 1,012,000 euros

At a price just breaching the 1 million euros mark (1,012,000, to be precise), it was the 1961 Aston Martin DB4GT that led the way at Bonhams’ 7.2m euros, 2 February Paris sale.

With top private collectors and trade buyers in Paris for Rétromobile-week, it was down to the Bonhams Europe team to make sure its new-for-2012 venue (La Halle Freyssinet, in Bercy) was filled to bursting with bidders on the 100+ car catalogue.

Driving the lots through the auction block is always entertaining, and James Knight, Group Head of Bonhams Motoring Department, commented after the event: “We are very pleased with the sale and I thought the drive through of the motor cars was a welcome spectacle.

Originally owned by entertainer Sammy Davis Jr, 1968 Maserati Ghibli - Sold for 79,350 euros

“It was well attended and the bidding was often fierce, not only from the floor but also from the balcony overlooking the auditorium where the café and lounge were situated. In particular, we are thrilled to have achieved such an excellent result for the Aston Martin DB4GT.”

Other cars finding new owners for big money were predominantly from the pre-War era, with the superb ‘local’ 1935 Delage D8-105S Streamlined Coupé achieving 322,000 euros and two Petersen pre-War Bentley ‘evocations’ going for 385,250 euros (6½-Litre 'Dartmoor' Coupé) and 310,500 euros (R-Type Petersen 6½-Litre Supercharged Road Racer).

1966 AC Shelby Cobra '427' Roadster - Sold for 471,400 euros

From the more modern period, the 1959 Ferrari 250GT Coupé, delivered new to Garage Francorchamps, sold for 241,500 euros, the mighty 1966 AC Shelby Cobra '427' Roadster, 471,400 euros and the ex-works, Louis Rosier, 1956 Talbot-Lago T14 LS Spécial Coupé found a new owner at 161,000 euros.

Elsewhere on the Aston front, in addition to the DB4GT, the 1958 DB MkIII Sports sold for 138,000 euros. The 1952 Aston Martin DB2 Vantage was unsold.

And Rat Pack enthusiasts will be interested to know that the 1968 Maserati Ghibli Coupé originally owned by entertainer Sammy Davis Jr. sold for 79,350 euros. A less star-spangled car proudly bearing the Maserati trident was the 1972 Indy 4900, which achieved a more down-to-earth 17,250 euros.

Bonhams' next motor car sale will be at Oxford, on 3 March where two early entries are a 1965 Jaguar E-type Roadster that once belonged to Sir Elton John and a ‘barn-find’ 1961 Ferrari 250GTE 2+2 'Series 1', formerly the property of well-known film director Agostino ‘Dino’ De Laurentiis.

To see the complete results please click HERE.

Text - Steve Wakefield
Photos - Bonhams

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