The RM Sotheby’s Paris 2016 sale was held 3rd February at Place Vauban during the week of Salon Retromobile, resulting in total sales of €19,035,550 ($20,843,927 US) and a 79 percent sell-through rate. Bidders represented 24 countries at RM’s third annual Paris sale during Rétromobile Week.
Highlighting the evening sale was the 1955 Porsche 550 Spyder, which realized €2.744.000 to lead a group of seven automobiles that achieved individual million-euro-plus results. The example was significant for being the 1955 Frankfurt Motor Show car and one of 75 factory-built ‘customer’ 550 Spyders, with period U.S. racing history that includes 3rd in class at the 1956 Sebring 12 Hours.
Max Girardo, Managing Director of RM Sotheby’s Europe said, “We had some great lots on offer in Paris and the Porsche 550 Spyder, in particular, represented everything that we wish to bring to market. It’s a car with great history, rarity and huge desirability; it simply ticks all the boxes.”
Beyond the Porsche 550 Spyder, the German marques did well in Paris. The second highest seller on the night was the 1957 BMW 507 Roadster Series II. Only 252 examples of this rakish German V8 powered sports car were made, so it was not a surprise to see it sell for a very strong €2.016.000. The restored 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing, presented in its white paintwork, sold for €1.176.000 before the packed auction room. The other star lot of the sale, the 1962 Ferrari 400 Superamerica LWB, which came very close to its reserve price during the auction, was sold immediately after the sale for a final €2.950.000.
Additional highlights included the 2004 Ferrari Enzo, one of the newest cars in the sale, which made €1.568.000, while the 1992 Lancia Delta HF Integrale Evo 1 ‘Martini 6’, which attracted much pre-sale interest, sold for £134.400 — a world-record price for the model at public auction.
RM Sotheby’s Paris 2016 – Top Ten Auction Results
1. 1962 Ferrari 400 Superamerica LWB Coupe Aerodinamico (3931 SA) – €2.950.000
2. 1955 Porsche 550 Spyder (550-0068) – €2.744.000
3. 1957 BMW 507 Roadster Series II (70131) – €2.016.000
4. 2004 Ferrari Enzo (ZFFCZ56B000135564) – €1.568.000
5. 1997 Ferrari F50 (ZFFTA46B000106825) – €1.275.000
6. 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing (198.040.5500272) – €1.176.000
7. 1989 Ferrari F40 (ZFFGJ34B000080161) – €1.036.000
8. 1957 Mercedes-Benz 300 Sc Coupe (188.014.7500024) – €498.400
9. 1960 Ferrari 250 GT Coupe (1749 GT) – €459.200
10. 1974 Ferrari 365 GT4 BB (17709) – €400.000
For complete auction results, visit rmsothebys.com.
Following a busy start to the 2016 season, which has included performances at both Arizona and Paris during the past five days, RM Sotheby’s now look ahead to its annual Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance sale, March 12 in Florida. The company’s next European auction — its biennial Monaco sale — is scheduled for 14 May during the Grand Prix Historique de Monaco weekend. For further information on upcoming events, visit rmsothebys.com or call RM’s London office at +44 (0) 20 7851 7070.
[Source: RM Sotheby’s; photo: Rémi Dargegen]
Proper journalism would have required to report that most of the lots in that auction failed to reach their (overpriced) estimates. Which needs to be analysed further whether the auction house was’nt professional enough setting realistic estimates or if we can see some kind of change in market trends.
But it’s much easier re-writing overwhelming press releases..