Cars

Following on from the stunning results in the earlier sale of the Baillon Collection was never going to be easy, with all but one of the ‘forgotten’ cars going beyond their high estimates – many stratospherically so. But despite a few hiccups (and not of the champagne-induced type), the French auction house still managed to chart eight new auction records, including those for a Ferrari Testarossa (€196,700 including premium), a Porsche 356 A Speedster (€298,000) and a 1973 De Tomaso Pantera GTS (€133,500).

The history of Deauville started when Carrozzeria Ghia received a request from Ford to create a compact American sports saloon with European styling elements. Ghia designer Tom Tjaarda came up with a design that referenced the Lancia Marica and De Tomaso Mustela I – other creations from Tjaarda’s drawing board. After Ford discarded the idea of a four-door sports saloon, Alejandro de Tomaso took up the project and, based on Tjaarda’s drafts, built a luxury saloon for the wealthy e

In hindsight, Artcurial’s estimates might have been a little conservative due to a lack of precedence, but the champagne will certainly be flowing in the 15th arrondissement this evening. Whether four or seven figures, estimates were beaten lot after lot – with tenfold increases not uncommon. Take the case, early on, of a 1923 Voisin Type C3 estimated to fetch a mere €1,500 – €2,000 that sold for €44,000. Soon afterwards, the 1963 Porsche 356 SC coupé made €75,000, against a predicted €20,000 – €30,000.

Rétromobile is beginning to show its age. Yellow ‘headlights’ shine down from the ceiling in true 1970s style, the rugs have seen better days – and anyone that’s not partial to traditional French cuisine will want to bring a packed lunch. But as the show enters its fifth decade, the attractions remains the same: from automotive jumble right up to multi-million-euro classics, any level of collector is catered for. As a result, you’ll find not only countless dealers, but also the major automotive brands and auction houses.

A useful barometer of the buying mood

Pegaso wasn’t in the sports car arena for long. In the early 1950s, the Spanish truck manufacturer set about taking the fight to Ferrari et al with its Z-102 and, in 1953, even chose Le Mans as the battlefield. The La Sarthe showdown might have ultimately been a fruitless exercise, but the Spanish rose represented one of several thorns in Enzo’s side right up until 1958.

Top of the news agenda is the inevitable arrival of turbocharging in a modern, mid-engined V8 Ferrari. Like its California stablemate, a blown, 3.9-litre engine powers the 488 GTB, although Ferrari is adamant that the two engines are very different in feel and character. That’s unlikely to soften the blow from which purists are no doubt still reeling, however.

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