Auctions
Around the houses
News from the main auction houses around the world
– Artcurial –
The French auction house is hosting one of the two sales at Retromobile this year on February 3. Most would agree that the star of the show, in road car terms, is the 1959 Ferrari 250GT California (POA) once owned by French producer, screenwriter, actor and director Roger Vadim, who discovered and married Brigitte Bardot.
Other interesting road car lots include a pretty 1947 Fiat 1100S MM with streamlined body by Rappi (£83-99,000), a low-mileage 1984 Lancia Rallye 037 (£107-150,000), and a never-rallied Fiat 131 Abarth Rally (£41-50,000).
For race enthusiasts, though, attention will be on the 1971 Porsche 911S/T (£210-290,000). This Group 4-specification car (above) finished sixth in class in the 1972 Nürburgring 1000Kms and in 1973 was sold to the Kremer brothers who upgraded it again to 2.8 RSR spec and then to a 935 in 1980.
If you’re a Nigel Mansell follower you might want to take a punt on the 1989 Ferrari F40 (£265-315,000). The 1992 World Champion drove it in 1989 when he was racing for Ferrari.
– Bonhams –
The day before Artcurial’s sale Bonhams will also be hosting an auction at Retromobile. The ‘drive through’ sale includes a 1926 Amilcar C6 voiturette which has been in the USA since WWII. Fully restored, it’s expected to find a new home for £380-450,000. There is also a striking 1935 Delage D8-105S streamlined coupé (£230-300,000), which has been shown at Villa D’Este.
As usual there’s no shortage of Ferraris and amongst the four 250GTs is a 1957 Boano ‘low-drag’ coupé (£290-375,000) which is eligible for the Mille Miglia. If that’s beyond your budget then how about this one: a wonderful, rusty, unrestored 1978 FIAT 900T Ferrari service van (left) that was bought new by Jacques Swaters’ Garage Francorchamps SA. Be warned, the estimate of £5-7500 may well be surpassed – mainly because Motor Sport’s art editor and associate editor have both taken a serious fancy to it.
– Historics at Brooklands –
On February 18 there’ll be a couple of interesting racers for sale in Weybridge. First up is a 2008 Radical SR8, maintained and prepared exclusively by the factory team. The car has only ever been raced twice and is expected to fetch £40-55,000.
Historic racers will be represented by a 1962 Jaguar E-type Series 1 Coupé (£60-75,000) that is eligible for the Masters and HSCC series as well as the Nürburgring Oldtimer, Spa 6 Hours and the Le Mans Classic.
– Silverstone Auctions –
As always the Race Retro sale on February 25 is packed with affordable racers: a 1963 Ford Anglia (£20-23,000), a 1972 MGB (£16-19,000), a 1961 Maserati 2500GT (£37,500-50,000) and a Group B 1987 Metro 6R4 (£47-52,000). All of them are race/rally ready. Perhaps the most interesting racer in the sale, though, is a 1964 Lotus Cortina with FIA/FTP papers. Unlike many, this one has period race history and the estimate certainly reflects that: £70-80,000.
– RM Auctions –
On February 24-25, RM lifts the gavel on the Milhous Collection, with various Indianapolis racers being offered, including a 1962 Lesovsky Roadster (£100-160,000), a 1984 March Cosworth 84C (£60-85,000) and the 1949 Rounds Rocket (£160-230,000), driven at the Indy 500 in 1949 and 1950. Although failing to qualify on both occasions it was the first mid-engined, rear-wheel drive Indy racer.
– Profiles in history –
Even before Steve McQueen’s Porsche 911 sold for £897,195 in August we knew memorabilia connected with the ‘King of Cool’ fetched serious prices. It seems there is no limit: in December, Profiles in History sold the race suit he wore filming Le Mans for a whopping £641,820.
There will be a full review of the Scottsdale auctions and preview of Amelia Island in next month’s issue.