Artcurial Retromobile 2012 - Auction Preview

The Artcurial Motorcars Retromobile auction will be staged Friday 3rd February 2012 at the Retromobile Show in Paris.

Artcurial has assembled a strong collection of motor cars, automobilia and motorcycles for their 2012 Retromobile auction, headlined by the sale of cars from the former collection of Jean-Claude Bajol: a Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder with factory hardtop – formerly owned by the French filmmaker Roger Vadim, a Bizzarrini 5300 GT Strada Aluminium, a Lancia B24 S Cabriolet and many other rarities.

Complete with its original hardtop and covered headlights, the 1959 Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder was purchased new by Roger Vadim, celebrated French screenwriter, director, producer and actor who discovered and later married Brigitte Bardot. The star long-wheelbase 1959 Ferrari 250 GT California Spider is offered in “immaculate condition.”

Highlights from the pre-war period include a 1948 Delahaye 135M Cabriolet by Pourtout (€280,000 – 380,000) that has appeared in countless Concours d’Elegance events, and a 1947 Delahaye 135MS Cabriolet by Franay (€500,000 – 600,000), restored to Concours condition by top French restorer Bonnefoy some ten years ago. Also from this era are two German cars, a 1938 Horch 853A Cabriolet (€320,000 – 380,000) and a 1937 Mercedes Benz 540K Cabriolet (€450,000 – 550,000) from a private Italian collection.

An ex-Nigel Mansell 1989 Ferrari F40 (€320,000 – 400,000) will also cross the auction block. The car has been certified by Ferrari and is offered with a full history file. Also on offer is a 1965 Citroen 2CV (€30,000 – 40,000) that was delivered new to Beverley Hills and has covered just 120 miles from new. This ‘California version’ was part of the Bill Harrah collection for many years.

Other notable offerings at the 2012 Artcurial Retromobile sale include a collection of 15 principally French cars, untouched for 40 years, all offered at no reserve. Protected from the elements, they reportedly remain in “remarkable” condition, and include five Talbots, two Hotchkiss and two Panhard & Levassors, as well as a 1937 Rolls Royce Phantom III Coupe Chauffeur.

In total, Artcurial will offer automotive 103 lots at the 2012 Retromobile sale, with half offered at no reserve.

Artcurial Retromobile 2012 – Auction Preview