Not surprisingly, top seller at Christie’s Rétromobile sale was the ex- Ecurie Ecosse 1952 Jaguar C-Type for Euro 1,386,250. However special mention must be made of the 1973 Citroen DS 23 IE Cabriolet by Henri Chapron selling for Euro 176,250.

It shouldn’t have come as too much of a surprise as these cars have become increasingly desirable over the last few years, and this particular example was believed to be the only convertible built on the more powerful DS23IE chassis and powertrain, thus adding a little more ‘pace’ to the ample ‘grace’ of the bespoke French dropheads. A perfect South of France car, and nicely presented in silver with red leather interior.

With the benefit of nearly nine months of buoyant saleroom activity since its previous appearance at auction last summer, the 1952 Jaguar C-Type, ex-Ian Stewart, First Ecurie Ecosse, Jersey Road Race Winner, sold right on market value at Euro 1,386,250 (that’s around $US1.6m or £950,000). A wonderful car with some fantastic contemporary history as part of the Edinburgh-based racing team and also one that had been in single family ownership since 1974.

1974 Maserati Quattroporte Series II Prototype - Sold for Euro 64,625

1983 Ferrari 400i - Sold for Euro 28,200

Of the other Jaguars in the sale, neither the 1965 E-Type SI 4.2 Roadster, nor the 1951 XK120 ex-Le Mans car sold, but the very desirable 1949 XK 120 Alloy-bodied Roadster did, for a useful Euro 198,250. Of Jaguar’s sworn on-track enemies of the 1950s, Aston Martin, both cars found new owners, the 1955 DB2 2/4 Mk I Cabriolet (ex-Sir Peter Ustinov) going for Euro 88,125 and the red 1968 DB6 Vantage for Euro 88,125. Both Bentleys also sold, the 1955 R Type Continental for Euro 220,250 and the 1960 S2 Continental Drophead Coupé, Euro 111,625.

1955 Bentley R Type Continental - Sold for Euro 220,250

His Holiness Pope John Paul II’s 1958 FSO Warszawa WA M20 failed to find a buyer, but perhaps the owners of the 1934 Riley IMP 9HP, estimated at Euro 75,000 - 85,000, have friends in slightly warmer places as the car sold at a poker-hot Euro 129,250. The significant seller from the Veteran category was the 1904 Automobiles Charron, Girardot et Voigt Model H1 6¼-litre Side-Entrance Phaeton, going for Euro 374,250.

1955 Aston Martin DB2 2/4 Mk I Cabriolet - Sold for Euro 88,125

1960 Bentley S2 Continental Drophead Coupe - Sold for Euro 111,625

With the 1983 Ferrari 400i selling for Euro 28,200 (estimate Euro 12,000 - 18,000) is it now time to say the market has finally realised the worth of these elegant GT cars? Also on the Italian front the 1950 Alfa Romeo 2500 SS 'Tubolare' by Ghia sold for a mid-estimate Euro 187,250.

As far as the automobilia was concerned, virtually all the lots were sold and significant items were the ‘Modern Illuminated Bugatti Showroom Sign - Est. Euro 500 - 600’ selling for Euro 2,820, and the ‘After T.Güttner - Blitzen Benz - Fine replica sculpture - est Euro 3,750 - 5,250’ going for Euro 6,110.

Christie’s next Sale of Exceptional Motor Cars will be in London, at the Jack Barclay Showroom, Vauxhall on May 8th 2006. They will also be holding a Sale at the Le Mans Classic in France on 8th July this year.

For the full results, please CLICK HERE.

Christie's International Motor Cars Ltd The Jack Barclay Showroom 2-4 Ponton Rd Nine Elms London SW8 5BA Rupert Banner Tel: + 44(0)20 7389 2851 Fax: + 44(0)20 7627 8917 [email protected] Philip Kantor Tel: + 32(0)476 87 94 71 Fax: + 32(0)2 513 32 79 [email protected]

Text: Steve Wakefield
Photos: Christie's

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