The Artcurial Le Mans Classic 2016 auction was held Saturday 9th July at the Le Mans 24 Hours Circuit in France, resulting in total sales of €9,007,016 and a 73 percent sell-through rate. The fourth edition of this biennial sale included 10 lots that sold for more than €200,000, including three above €500,000.
Matthieu Lamoure, Managing Director, Artcurial Motorcars, commented, “Despite the glorious sunshine, our great friends British collectors were sadly missing. Although the sales results reflected the effect of Brexit somewhat, we were delighted by the public’s appetite for competition cars during the amazing display at Le Mans Classic, evidence of the strength of passion for the automobile.”
Several hours into the sale, it was with great emotion that Maitre Herve Poulain brought the hammer down on lot 175. This was a 1977 Porsche 935 competition client factory car that had participated three times in the Le Mans 24-Hour race. In original condition, this car has been raced by great names including Herve Poulain himself, who competed in it at Le Mans in 1980. It was the second time that the car has come under the hammer of the auction house Artcurial’s honorary chairman. This time the Porsche will set off on a new adventure, joining the collection of an American collector who paid €1,301,600 ($1,431,760 USD) to acquire the car.
Sports and racing cars were in the limelight both in the saleroom and on the track. Lot 109, a 1973 Porsche 911 Carrera 2.7-litre RS Touring, fetched €476,800, including premium. An example of Mercedes’ flagship model and a 1960s icon, the 1961 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster confirmed its status as the one of the most desirable touring cars, selling for €953,600.
Telephone bidders played their part in the sale, adding to the excitement in the saleroom. Lot 125, a 1937 Bugatti Type 57 Ventoux Factory coach, sparked a bidding battle between two telephone bidders. This special pre-war car, in original condition and with continuous history, was another discovery by Artcurial Motorcars.It sold for double the pre-sale estimate, realising €524,500.
The Le Mans Classic 2016 by Artcurial Motorcars also offered some more unusual collectors’ vehicles such as the 1978 Peugeot J7 camping-car by Holidaycar that found a new owner for €21,500 and the 1963 Citroe?n 2CV Sahara which fetched €79,900.
Artcurial Le Mans Classic 2016 – Top Five Auction Results
1. 1977 Porsche 935 – €1,301,600
2. 1961 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster – €953,600
3. 1937 Bugatti Type 57 Ventoux – €524,500
4. 1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RS Touring – €476,800
5. 1963 Maserati 3500 GT – €268,200
For complete auction results, visit Artcurial.com.
The second half of 2016 will feature three further sales from Artcurial Motorcars. On 18 September Artcurial will present the contents of the Normandy Tank Museum in Catz, in the D-Day Sale. Then, on 9 October, a few miles from Paris, a collection of 80 American cars belonging to Andre Weber will be offered in a sale called On the Road. Finally, in November, Artcurial Motorcars will celebrate its 10th edition of the sale Automobiles sur les Champs.
[Source: Artcurial Motorcars]
