In a sale dominated by pre-War entries, a more modern classic achieving a significant price was the 1973 Porsche 2.7 Carrera RS selling for 293,500 euros.
The top seller, however, came from the older cars, it being the 1928 Mercedes 'S' Type - commissioned with bodywork by Parisian coachbuilders J Saoutchik. Returning to France for the first time in 80 years, it sold for 2,317,500 euros and was bought by a private European bidder in the room. Bonhams also sold a 1936 Mercedes-Benz 500K Cabriolet A for 887,500 euros and the ex-Pim Hascher Bugatti Type 43 for 1.33 million euros - a world record price for the model.
Of the younger models, the ex-rally 1973 2.7 Carrera was a high point, although 216,500 euros for the 1969 Ferrari 365GTB/4 ‘Daytona’ Spider Conversion wasn’t bad; and nor was the 1964 Ferrari 250GT Lusso Berlinetta selling for 359,500 euros.
 1968 Maserati Ghibli 4.7-Litre Coupé - Sold for EUR 43,700 |
 1964 Ferrari 250GT Lusso Berlinetta - Sold for EUR 359,500 |
On the Aston Martin front, the DB4GT didn’t sell but the 1960 Aston Martin DB4 Series 2 did, for a market-typical 194,500 euros (although Artcurial achieved 320,664 euros for a 1961 DB4 Series 3, also in Paris that week. Without looking at the individual cars, however, comparisons would be unfair).
 1929 Bugatti Type 43 Grand Sport - Sold for EUR 1,327,500 |
 1973 Porsche 2.7 Carrera RS Coupe - Sold for EUR 293,500 |
It was Bonhams’ first sale at Rétromobile and James Knight, Managing Director of the Bonhams motoring department, commented, "We are delighted with the results of our first sale in France. This is a fabulous start to the year, with one of the most successful auctions our European department has ever held. The combination of a prestigious venue and exceptional motor cars proved to be a winning formula. We would like to thank Pierre Rageys and his team at Rétromobile and look forward to returning here next year on 7 February."
ERA to sell at Goodwood
In a separate announcement, Bonhams revealed that one of the stars of its forthcoming Goodwood Festival of Speed auction would be the first prototype ERA, chassis R1A. This car was first driven by Raymond Mays at ERA's public debut in testing at Brooklands on 22 May 1934 and subsequently enjoyed an unbroken racing career in period before and after the War, and then right up to today’s historic meetings.
The most quintessentially British racing car, it will carry an estimate of £400,000-500,000 and will be sold ‘without reserve’.
Please CLICK HERE to see the full results.
Text - Steve Wakefield
Photos - Bonhams
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