A delve behind the feature lots of Christie’s forthcoming Paris auction reveals some interesting entries not previewed in previous articles on the sale. Take, for example, this 1974 De Tomaso Pantera GP III 'Competizione', estimated at EURO 130,000 - 180,000.

Built for Italian racing driver ‘Kabibo’ in 1974, the car has competed in three separate World Championship Sports Car races during the late ‘70s/early ’80s and is described as being ‘in very original condition throughout’, starting ‘on the button’. An interesting (and cheaper) alternative to the many Porsche 3.0 RSRs out there, in historic racing events for later machinery.

Constructed only a couple of years earlier, another V8-powered machine of arresting looks was the 1972 Aston Martin DBS ‘Ogle’, one of two cars produced by the celebrated British Industrial Designer, David Ogle. It’s estimated at EURO 50,000 - 80,000, and one might consider that when new the fully-functioning (if slightly experimental) cars were sold for £28,750 - three times the price of a new ‘standard’ DBS. Opinions vary on its looks; I like it and feel it could be useful ‘sleeper’ for the future. Other Astons entered include the ex-Robert Mitchum 1961 DB4 at EURO 90,000 - 140,000, a competition-prepared 1957 DB2/4 Mk III for EURO 50.000 - 70.000 and a 1996 DB7 Volante, EURO 50.000 - 70.000. All of these cars being LHD.

1972 Rolls-Royce Corniche Convertible

1972 Aston Martin DBS ‘Ogle’

Other classic British machinery includes four Bentleys, such as the 1965 S3 Continental DHC for EURO 85,000 - 125,000, an ex-Heineken family car like the rather nice 1972 Rolls-Royce Corniche Convertible at EURO 30,000 - 50,000.

Perhaps not everyone realises that the Maserati brothers (Ernesto, Bindo and Ettore) sold out to industrialist Adolfo Orsi in 1938, and after serving out their ten-year service contract with the Bolognese manufacturer were then free to pursue their own projects. The result was Officine Specializate per la Costruzione di Automobile - Fratelli Maserati SpA, quickly abbreviated to OSCA. The company soon gained a reputation for tough, finely manufactured small-capacity sports cars (in fact the make won its class in every Mille Miglia from 1950 to 1957) and often had drivers of the calibre of Stirling Moss behind the wheel.



The ex-Turin Motorshow MT4-2AD Vignale that Christie’s are offering (EURO 350,000 – 450,000) is a 1,500cc car that is in very original condition, has been shown at several top concours events, and would no doubt be a likely entry for current retrospective historic events such as the Milano - San Remo Rally (an event the car has already successfully competed in).

On the pre-war front two Mercedes are in the catalogue, a very early 1909 10/20 35hp Sports Two Seater, EURO 130,000 - 180,000, and a 1934 380K Cabriolet C for EURO 250,000 - 300,000. For those looking for an inter-war car of pedigree why not consider the 1929 OM 665 Superba Four Seater Open Tourer at EURO 42,000 - 48,000? You won’t get an Alfa or Aston for that sort of money and it’s got a 2.2 litre straight six engine, four-wheel drum brakes and a four-speed ‘box.



Finally for something really different how about the 1969 Toyota Sports 800 (EURO 25,000 - 35,000)? A rare LHD example (Japan being RHD of course), it was the predecessor of the legendary, Bond-film starring, 2000GT and exhibits pretty (rather Alfa Zagato) lines with the bonus of a ‘Targa’ removable top. The 2-cylinder air-cooled engine producing 49bhp at 5,400rpm isn’t going to set the race track alight, but you are certainly unlikely to park up against another one. A nice little car.

For the full lotlist, please CLICK HERE. All cars are, as usual, included in the Classic Driver car database and can be seen by clicking HERE.

Auction: Exceptional Motor Cars at Rétromobile
Porte de Versailles, Parc des Expositions, Paris

Saturday, February 12th at 7.30pm

Viewing:
Friday, February 11th from 11am - 6pm
Saturday, February 12th from 10am - 7pm

Christie's International Motor Cars Ltd The Jack Barclay Showroom 2-4 Ponton Rd Nine Elms London SW8 5BA Tel: + 44(0)20 7389 2851 From February 9th - 14th: +33 (0)1 57 25 20 11 Fax: + 44(0)20 7627 8917 From February 9th - 14th: +33 (0)1 57 25 20 10 [email protected]

Text: Steve Wakefield
Photos: Christie's