Bonhams, Grand Palais, Paris, France, February 6, 2014
Report and photos by Rick Carey, Auction Editor
The French equivalent of the Consumer Protection and Safety Commission prescribes this method of preventing oblivious consumers from impaling themselves on the beak of the Hispano-Suiza stork mascot.
There are just a few particularly charismatic places to hold collector car auctions.
Worldwide’s auction in the Cord Front Drive L29 Assembly Building in Auburn is one.
Bonhams at the Grand Palais, site of the early Paris Auto Shows, is another.
It is impossible to be unaffected by the surroundings. I took my 12-year old granddaughter and covered her eyes as she entered so she got the full effect of the towering cast iron vaulted roof, acres of glass (even under dull February Paris skies) and well-worn stonework.
Bonhams presented many eras at the Grand Palais. All of them looked good. But none looked better than the elegant Voisins, Delages, Hispano-Suizas, Rolls-Royces and Citroens that traced their heritage to the grand époque that the Grand Palais represents.
Now, I’m a sucker for the charms of Paris, even, as happened this year, when all the taxis in France went on strike at 7AM Monday when we were going to the airport to come home. Our hotel (Hotel de Buci, which can’t get a higher recommendation than it earned for our trip this year) found a taxi willing to arrive at 6:30 and rush us to Charles de Gaulle before the strike deadline.
When asked why the taxis were striking our driver gave a Gallic shrug; he didn’t know. That’s the real France experience with the bonus of a rush through nearly abandoned early morning Paris streets driven by a pro.
A peripheral joy of an auction like Bonhams in Paris is the opportunity to see – and in my case document – cars that rarely if ever turn up in auctions on this side of the Atlantic. There are things here that are beyond rare in North America, but still recognized as important exemplars of marques and models.
Bonhams crammed a full day into their auction at the Grand Palais, offering 149 cars of which 105 were sold (70.5%) in addition to hours of motorcycles. With a sale total of $21,763,311 for cars alone it is a creditable result, but even more respectable for conducting a first class auction in a setting that is essentially without parallel in its elegance and history.
The atmosphere, the food, the setting, the landmarks: Paris is hard to beat. So is Bonhams Grand Palais auction.
Bonhams Paris Grand Palais 2014 – Auction Report
Lot # 303 1959 Cadillac Series 62 Convertible; S/N 59F043341; Engine # 58J116042; Pink/Black, White leather; White vinyl top; Estimate $34,010 – $47,614; Visually maintained, largely original, 4+ condition; Hammered Sold at $73,462 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $84,481. No Reserve – Reputedly used in the Clint Eastwood movie ‘The Pink Cadillac’ and comes with film memorabilia but no studio documentation. Repainted some time ago, and now with a few blisters and edge chips. Upholstery is soiled, interior chrome is weak. Trim screws missing. Underbody is original and dirty. Not exactly nasty, but close. – Perhaps a singular Cadillac but one that is not ‘good’ in any single way, like most movie cars. This result is by any standard magnanimous, a huge premium for the purported movie use without recognizing its condition. Imagine what a movie car used by Jerry Lewis would do in France.Lot # 314 1962 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible; S/N 20867S109824; Engine # 15S409153 V1115CHB; Red/Red vinyl; Black vinyl top; Estimate $54,416 – $81,624; Visually maintained, largely original, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $57,137 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $65,707 – Replacement engine, 4-barrel, 4-speed, Rally wheels, trim rings, hubcaps, narrow whitewalls, cassette stereo. – Repainted over cracks and inadequate prep. Sound interior, dirty engine. Barely a driver. – Largely without collector value with its replacement engine and scruffy cosmetics, this is mid-$30K car on any day except today in Paris.Lot # 320 1958 Mercedes-Benz 190SL Roadster; S/N 1210408501091; Engine # 1219218501124; Red/Beige leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $88,426 – $115,634; Older restoration, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $81,624 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $93,868 – AM-FM radio, hubcaps, trim rings, whitewalls, Solex carbs. – Decent older paint, chrome and upholstery. An older driver quality restoration with some miles. – Based on this result for a fully mediocre example, 190SL craziness is somewhat moderated in Europe. Still, nearly $100K for a dull old car is generous.Lot # 324 1954 Mercedes-Benz 300S Cabriolet A, Body by Sindelfingen; S/N 1880104500024; Engine # 1869205500578; Dark Burgundy/Dark Burgundy leather; Beige cloth top; Estimate $408,120 – $476,140; Cosmetic restoration, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $353,704 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $406,760 – 4-speed, column shift, hubcaps, wide trim rings, whitewalls, fog lights. – Sound old repaint applied to the assembled and trimmed body and casually masked. Good but musty smelling interior, good chrome and top. Dank body cavities lined with peeling old paint. Fair interior wood. A superficially cosmetically redone car. – With 115hp trying to pull along a body built by Sindelfingen’s craftsmen, who never stinted on metal gauge or supports, the 300S is not exactly sprightly, but it is stately and elegant. This is a realistic price for this rather deficiently presented example.Lot # 325 1960 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Veloce Sprint, Body by Bertone; S/N AR149325845; Engine # AR0010601176; Red/Black leatherette; Estimate $61,218 – $74,822; Visually maintained, largely original, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $51,695 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $59,449 – No radio, Firestone blackwall radial tires, 5-speed, replacement engine. – Scratched windshield, exceptionally ugly repaired and rechromed bumpers, pitted side window chrome, yellowed gauge faces. Uniformly filled body. Underbody quickly resprayed black over old undercoat. – The Grand Palais bidders were not fooled by this Alfa, but still give it a resoundingly healthy price even a tad under the low estimate. Had it been bought at Euros 30,000 hammer it might have been a sound value.Lot # 326 1959 Imperial Crown 4-Dr. Hardtop; S/N M637103291; Engine # MR413J2324; Rose Metallic/White leather; Estimate $68,020 – $102,030; Cosmetic restoration, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $48,974 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $56,321. No Reserve – Frigiking A/C, P/W, P/S, P/B. power seat, pushbutton radio, chrome wire wheels, whitewall tires, dual outside mirrors. – Good paint and major chrome, lightly soiled upholstery, wrinkled package tray covering, some pitted chrome trim. Pitted, weak interior chrome, cracked steering wheel rim, loose steering wheel cushion. Thick old undercoat with fresh black paint over it. Orderly and clean underhood. – Sold for $34,100 at RM’s Milt Robson sale in 2010, then for $33,000 at Amelia in 2012, bringing this Imperial boat to Paris proved to be a home run for the seller. There’s no accounting for something truly different in a flamboyant color.Lot # 327 1962 Facel Vega Facel II Coupe; S/N HK2A154; Engine # TY8-712-175; Metallic Blue/Blue leather; Estimate $108,832 – $190,456; Unrestored original, 5- condition; Hammered Sold at $183,654 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $211,202 – 383, automatic, wire wheels, P/S, disc brakes, limited slip. – Sills and door bottoms rotted out both sides. Filthy inside and out, rotted upholstery and trim. About as despicable as a car can be coming from a barn in Minnesota, and that’s pretty despicable. – Worth a half million bucks in pristine restored condition, it’s going to take every dollar of the difference between the price of this rat and what it’ll be worth when it’s done. This is an endorsement of ‘hope’ and the 31,152 miles on the odometer will mean nothing when it’s restored. There is nothing left at this price except the new owner’s pride in salvaging an otherwise derelict Facel Vega.Lot # 330 1967 Simca 1000 Coupe, Body by Bertone; S/N SB163228; Engine # 371461; White/Black vinyl; Estimate $13,604 – $20,406; Visually maintained, largely original, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $14,964 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $17,209. No Reserve – Woodrim steering wheel, Blaupunkt radio, hubcaps, trim rings, fog lights. – Decent repaint, fair chrome, sound interior, aged, stiff dash top. Engine is orderly if not restored. Just a car, but an unusual one. – Other than just the joy of being in Paris, one of the rewards for coming to auctions here is the opportunity to see things that barely ever, if at all, surface in the States, like this Simca. In the absence of comparables it will have to stand as the benchmark transaction, just over Bonhams low estimate, for a Bertone bodied Simca 1000 coupe.Lot # 336 1951 Simca 8 Type 1200 Sport Coupe, Body by Figoni & Falaschi; S/N 877553; Engine # 215631; Dark Blue/Red leather; Estimate $27,208 – $40,812; Unrestored original, 4- condition; Hammered Sold at $51,695 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $59,449 – Wheel covers, whitewalls, Philips radio. – Blistered old paint, stiff, cracked interior. No interior details typical of Figoni. A neglected old car that needs everything but is sound and complete. One of six reportedly similarly bodied by Figoni & Falaschi. – A certain Palm Springs resident steeped in obscure little French and Italian cars was beguiled by this Simca, a real Figoni & Falaschi with credentials that might get it into desirable concours. So, apparently, were others who bid on the body tag with little attention to the bulbous style, the anemic engine or the near-derelict condition. When this happens it’s best to let the bidders set the mark and stand back to watch for further developments.
Bonhams Paris Grand Palais 2014 – Auction Report Page Two
Lot # 337 1972 De Tomaso Pantera Group 3; S/N 1070; Silver, Black hood and deck/Black cloth; Estimate $122,436 – $176,852; Modified restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $122,436 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $140,801. No Reserve – Campagnolo alloy wheels, roll bar, fire system, Sparco seats, Aeroquip plumbing, MSD ignition. – The prototype for the 30 or so Group 3 Panteras, factory built. Restored in the mid-90’s and historic raced in Italy since. Some paint cracks and blemishes. Orderly and serious but shows use and age; apparently not used since 2007, but with a fairly recent engine service. – Although in need of thorough freshening and safety checks this Pantera in rarely seen Group 3 configuration offers its new owner a lot of performance for the money. It was offered by Bonhams at Spa last May with a reported high bid of Euros 80,000, making its result here reasonable compensation for waiting nine months and a healthy margin over most Panteras reflecting its history and race prep.Lot # 339 1989 Porsche 911 Speedster; S/N WP0ZZZ91ZKS152438; Linen Metallic/Parchment leather; Blue cloth top; Estimate $136,040 – $204,060; Unrestored original, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $367,308 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $422,404 – Blaupunkt Bremen cassette, Fuchs wheels, narrow body, tool kit, complete as delivered books, manuals and documentation. – 638 kilometers and absolutely like new except for some inevitable ageing. One of 171 narrow body, ‘non-Turbo look’, Speedsters out of 2,065 built. – Originality is highly valued among today’s collectors and this 911 Speedster is the epitome of originality. Even that, though, may not account for its exceptional price, something like three times the value of an ordinary Speedster.Lot # 340 1965 Aston Martin DB5 Coupe; S/N DB5/2043L; Engine # 400/2043; Silver Birch/Dark Red leather; Estimate $816,240 – $1,088,320; Visually maintained, largely original, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $918,270 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $1,056,011 – Blaupunkt cassette stereo, 5- speed, chrome wire wheels, (working) A/C, heated rear window. – Just two owners for the first 45 years or so and 78,204 miles from new. Cracked, scaly original upholstery. Repainted over old paint, edge chipped hood. Dirty original engine. Peeling old underbody. Mostly original but saving the upholstery will be a challenge. – A prime example of the allure of originality these days. Coupled with particularly desirable specifications including the 4-liter engine and air conditioning, this is an exceptional Aston Martin that brought an equally exceptional, but deserved, price. The new owner will face a difficult decision about restoration, though, as the marginal old repaint and cracked upholstery do nothing for the presentation or enjoyment.Lot # 341 1915 Hispano-Suiza 15/20hp Omnibus; S/N 3608; Light Yellow, Black fenders, Burgundy accent/Black leatherette; Estimate $231,268 – $299,288; Visually maintained, largely original, 4+ condition; Hammered Sold at $195,188 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $224,466 – RHD. Auteroche acetylene headlights, Ducellier kerosene sidelights, roof-mounted wooden bench. – Rough and aged with cracked, peeling old paint but amazing and all there. Not running after two decades of museum display. – Easily one of the most admired vehicles in Bonhams Grand Palais auction. The omnibus body is fabulous, but who climbed up the outside ladder to occupy the wooden ‘park bench’ on the roof, and how much they paid for the privilege (?) is interesting to contemplate. The fascination and visions of returning it to running, driving condition are evident in the substantial, post-block, price it brought.Lot # 342 1966 Maserati Mistral 4000 Coupe, Body by Frua; S/N AM109A11260; Rosso Cordoba metallic/Cream leather; Estimate $122,436 – $176,852; Cosmetic restoration, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $129,238 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $148,624 – Silver painted wire wheels, Avon blackwall tires, FI replaced with three Webers – Freshly painted, trim chrome scuffed during sanding and incompletely polished. Some weak trim chrome. Driver’s door doesn’t close flush. Good upholstery with minor scuff marks. Underbody is heavy with thick old undercoat and light areas of exterior overspray. Euros 60,000 spent between 2010 and 2012 on mechanics and cosmetics. – Despite the generous amount spent recently this is still a driver quality Mistral. The seller should be overjoyed at the price it brought.Lot # 353 1969 Mazda Cosmo L10B Coupe; S/N L10B10546; Engine # 10A1708; Ivory/Black vinyl, houndstooth cloth; Estimate $68,020 – $95,228; Visually maintained, largely original, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $65,299 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $75,094 – RHD. Steel wheels, fender mirrors awkwardly placed midway on the front fenders, three Herwins rally timers, dual rally odometers. – Solid body, good paint, chrome and interior. Dirty original underbody with old undercoat. Owned since new by the Belgian Mazda importer. – One of just 1,176 of the extended wheelbase L10B built (out of 1,519 total) and impressively original and well maintained. The rally timers and odometers add to its presentation, but the typical Japanese fender mirrors could be lost with great benefit to its lines. Few are aware of the exceptional performance of the Cosmo, or appreciate its rarity and the new owner got a good value here in a largely original example.Lot # 359 1969 Citroen DS21 Decapotable, Body by Chapron; S/N 4637254; Maroon/Maroon leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $217,664 – $258,476; Recent restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $197,258 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $226,847 – Automatic, ERA pushbutton radio, wheel covers, Michelin XAS tires, Cibie head and fog lights. – Very good paint, chrome and interior. An fairly recent (2011) restoration to near showroom condition with some miles but no major blemishes. – Here in France DS-series Citroens are recognized for their advanced concept and accepted despite their quirky design, or perhaps on account of it. Bonhams offered a fascinating cross-section of DSs which don’t seem to have saturated the market.Lot # 362 1947 Delage D6-70 Competition 2-seater; S/N 88003; Blue/Black leather; Estimate $1,496,440 – $2,312,680; Unrestored original, 4+ condition; Hammered Sold at $1,292,380 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $1,486,237 – RHD. Wire wheels, cycle fenders, marginal 2-seat coachwork with driver’s head fairing and a single aeroscreen, headlights precariously perched flanking the grille. – One of five built by Delage postwar and raced as a team car 1947-48. Race history includes 7th at the Swiss GP and 5th at the Belgian GP driven by Maurice Trintignant. August Veuillet acquired it in 1948 and raced it in the 1949 LeMans 24 Hours. Later owned and raced by Ferrari importer Charles Pozzi. Original bodywork and continuous history confirmed by Delage expert Herve Charbonneaux. Poor chipped old repaint over layers of old paint. Interior has evidence of layers of peeling old paint. Chassis is old and dry. A long dormant Delage with abundant potential. – A combination of great French tradition, modestly successful race history and outstanding originality make this one of the premier racing cars of the late Forties to come to the market in recent years. Although it will need comprehensive work before returning to the road or racing circuit, when it does whether in historic GP competition or with its fenders and headlights in sports car guise it will be nearly unique and make a statement that is more important than the price it brought here.Lot # 367 1968 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 Berlinetta; S/N 10905; Engine # 10905; Metallic Blue/Beige leather; Estimate $2,856,840 – $3,537,040; Older restoration, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $2,624,192 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $3,017,820 – Chrome spoke Borrani wire wheels, Michelin X blackwall tires. – Freshly restored by Bob Houghton Ltd in England, completed last summer. Very good paint, chrome and upholstery. Tidy and correct engine compartment. Body panels could have been blocked flatter but it is still well restored. Documented ownership history from new. – An exceptionally nice 4-cam, at an exceptionally good post-block price.
Bonhams Paris Grand Palais 2014 – Auction Report Page Three
Lot # 374 1958 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster; S/N 1980428500; Engine # 1989807500480075; Red, Red hardtop/Beige leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $884,260 – $1,156,340; Visually maintained, largely original, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $843,448 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $969,965 – Two tops, Nardi woodrim steering wheel, body color road wheels, Michelin X blackwall tires, Euro headlights. – Restored in Italy in 1973 with a quick, flawed repaint over old paint. Deeply cracked original interior. Orderly original engine with polished intake runners. – With a mediocre old restoration nearly 40 years old and no small amount of subsequent use, this is a tired 300SL Roadster that brought a generous price, even though it is under the low estimate.Lot # 376 1972 Maserati Bora 4.7; S/N AM117270; Engine # AM107/07/47880; Yellow/Black leather; Estimate $122,436 – $149,644; Visually maintained, largely original, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $107,472 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $123,592 – Campagnolo alloy wheels, Vredestein blackwall tires, Pioneer cassette stereo. – Freshly painted assembled, sound redyed original upholstery. Otherwise cleaned up with some engine black over old, peeling paint and anything else that might have found its way there during years of use. Not an appealing car but usable. – The superficial presentation of the Bora is not reflected in the generous price it brought. It would not have been a good value even if the Euros 90,850 price were in dollars.Lot # 377 1955 Aston Martin DB2/4 Mk I Coupe; S/N LML/812; Engine # VB6J/292; OEWhite/Grey leather; Estimate $217,664 – $272,080; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $217,664 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $250,314 – Silver painted wire wheels, Dunlop Road Speed bias ply tires, Lucas fog lights (not installed). – Fresh repaint with overspray in wheel wells, good older interior and chrome. Orderly but not fresh underbody. It would be much more attractive in the original Blue Haze exterior color. – This is drophead coupe money for an indifferently restored coupe, an exceptionally strong price for a car with many shortcomings.Lot # 379 1930 Avions Voisin C23 Berline Lumineuse; S/N 47001; Engine # 47001; Burgundy, Black fenders/Grey, Brown cloth; Estimate $408,120 – $544,160; Concours restoration, 1- condition; Hammered Sold at $340,100 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $391,115 – RHD. Spotlight, front fender trunks, centerlock wheels, polished wheel discs, dual rear spares. – Restored over a decade or more in Holland, then completed in France with concours quality paint, chrome and typically elaborate interior cloth upholstery. Chassis is done but splashed with dirty water. – No one will ever accuse Gabriel Voisin of adorning his cars with beautiful coachwork, but it is elegant in a simple, effective, utilitarian way that reflects Voisin’s approach to combining practicality and functionality. Collectors have acquired a new sensibility to Voisins since one captured Best in Show at Pebble Beach a few years ago and the prices of the best presented examples of Voisin’s idiosyncratic chassis and coachwork have reached new levels, like this, subsequently.Lot # 380 1986 Ford RS200 Coupe; S/N SFACXXBJ2CGL000137; White/Red cloth; Estimate $163,248 – $217,664; Unrestored original, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $163,248 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $187,735 – Six Hella rally lights with covers, Speedline modular alloy wheels, Pirelli P700 tires, cassette stereo, Recaro seats, owner’s manual, tools, manuals. – Clean, original car with some age and scratched rally light enclosure. 3,870km showing is probably all it has covered from new, something of a pity. – An example of Ford’s successful approach to the escalating power and performance of the FIA’s Group B World Rally Championship, the fabled ‘Killer Bs’. Frighteningly fast and a reasonable alternative to a Lancia Stratos, but without the Stratos’s fantastic Bertone body. Not inexpensive at this price, even adding a reasonable premium for originality and low miles.Lot # 385 1929 Bugatti Type 37 Grand Prix; S/N 37371; Engine # 43239/112; Silver/Black leather; Estimate $2,040,600 – $2,448,720; Competition restoration, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $1,904,560 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $2,190,244 – RHD. Alloy wheels, Marchal headlights, single aeroscreen, single sidemount. – Delivered new to Jack Lemon Burton at age 21. Blown up at Lewes in 1933, then again in 1935 by second owner Alan Bainton and re-engined with Bainton’s Type 43 supercharged 2.3 liter eight cylinder, creating a somewhat confused Type 35B equivalent. Continued to compete in BOC events (ladies’ Prescott hillclimb record set by Lady Mary Grosvenor in 1947 and not bettered for 35 years) until it was bought by Bob Estes in the US in 1952 with Type 51A alloy wheels. Restored for Neil Perkins in the UK in 2008. Used and aged. Inside cowl covered in scrutineering stickers, clean and orderly under the hood. Mediocre paint in the original color. – Is this a Type 37, a Type 35B or a Type 51A? There’s some of all of them, but the chassis is Type 37 and despite the catalog calling it a more alluring 8-cylinder supercharged 2.3 liter Type 35B it really should defer to the chassis number. Its mixed components are typical of competition Bugattis with continuous use through the early 50’s as components were swapped to keep running or keep winning. The continuous history is highly desirable and it appears to be ready, after mechanical and safety checks, to go back on track or tour with some enthusiasm, prospects which make its price here realistic.Lot # 389 1956 Alfa Romeo 1900C Super Sprint, Body by Touring; S/N AR1900C10078; Engine # AR1308100696; Bordeaux/Fawn leather; Estimate $176,852 – $217,664; Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $170,050 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $195,558 – Chrome spoke Borrani wire wheels, Michelin X blackwalls, Nardi woodrim steering wheel. – Freshly restored with very good paint, chrome and interior. Upholstery is lightly stretched and creased. Chassis has some oil and road grime. Underbody is neat and orderly. Engine is aged but orderly. – Coming into their own after years overshadowed by the earlier 6Cs and later Giulietta and Giulias, this well presented 1900C brought a price fully warranted by its history, Touring coachwork, performance and presentation.Lot # 391 1964 Citroen DS19 Concorde Coupe, Body by Chapron; S/N 4272001; Engine # 002743; Silver, Burgundy roof/Burgundy leather; Estimate $176,852 – $217,664; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $130,125 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $149,644 – Wire wheel covers, Michelin blackwall tires, Continental Edison AM-FM. – One of 38 in this style built by Chapron. Very good paint, chrome and interior. Uneven wood and deck lid fit. Underbody mostly like new but repainted over old, peeling, underseal. – A rare Chapron semi-custom body on the ‘economy’ DS19 with a sharply cut off rear window that looks like it should have a pickup bed behind it, not the gently sloping rear deck lid between two angular finned rear fenders. Done to good standards, this post-block result seem like a sufficient price for it.Lot # 392 1966 Citroen DS21 Le Caddy Cabriolet, Body by Chapron; S/N 4350010; Engine # 031506113; Maroon, Aluminum sill moldings/Tan leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $258,476 – $340,100; Recent restoration, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $367,308 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $422,404 – Automatic, AM-FM. wire wheel covers, Marchal head and fog lights, front seat head restraints. – One of only 34 built by Chapron in this style. Restored in 2006 to like new with excellent paint and interior, bright chrome except for weak windshield frame. – As spectacular in its own way as any American-built Caddy of the period, this well restored and presented Charon-bodied Le Caddy DS21 really caught the attention of the bidders at the Grand Palais, a Parisienne landmark that fitted the style and elegance of this limited production convertible. It was the right car in the right venue and it scored a seriously premium, yet not silly, price.
Bonhams Paris Grand Palais 2014 – Auction Report Page Four
Lot # 393 1961 Jaguar XKE SI flat floor Roadster; S/N 876188; Engine # R2678-9; Red/Black leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $176,852 – $204,060; Concours restoration, 1- condition; Hammered Sold at $231,268 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $265,958 – Silver painted wire wheels, blackwall. Dunlop radial tires, Motorola pushbutton radio. – Cylinder head and block numbers match each other and the original data plate. Freshly restored with excellent paint, chrome and interior. Overdone underhood with excess chrome, polished cam covers and carb dashpots. Even the suspension arms are chromed. – The cosmetic attention has been carried a little far, but that didn’t deter the Paris bidders who appreciated the quality of the workmanship and attention to detail, particularly the impressively flat and carefully matched body panels. Expensive, but an XKE to be proud to own and drive.Lot # 394 1965 Ferrari 330 GT 2+2, Body by Pininfarina; S/N 7059; Silver/Blue leather; Estimate $204,060 – $272,080; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $190,456 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $219,024 – Chrome spoke Borrani wire wheels, Pirelli P77 blackwall tires, quad lights. – Very good older paint, chrome and interior from a 2000 restoration in Italy. Oxidized wheel rims deserve attention. Underbody has new undercoat. – There was a time, not so far in the past, when quad headlight 330 GT 2+2s were five figure cars, the appeal of their 4-liter V-12s offset by their chunky 2+2 coachwork. Now they seem to be on the same upward price trajectory as 330 GTCs. This result is coincident with the rapidly climbing curve.Lot # 395 1925 Mercedes 10/40/65hp 2.6 Liter Touring; S/N 27522; Engine # 55983; Estimate $54,416 – $81,624; Unrestored original, 4- condition; Hammered Sold at $217,664 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $250,314 – RHD. 2.6 liter single overhead camshaft supercharged inline four cylinder, 4-speed, 4-wheel brakes. – A derelict but complete in its most important aspects rare early Mercedes with supercharged 4-cylinder power designed by Paul Daimler. Found in Portugal five decades after service as an ambulance. Not the correct body, not that there’s enough of it to matter, but an important and highly unusual. Factory build sheet records the original coachwork as ‘Sport-Phaeton-Rohbaukarosserie’ and the present chassis and engine numbers as built. – A real find, and one that the grandeur of the Grand Palais setting just begs to be restored to its former stature, a process that will take extensive research and expense but will amply reward its completion. It would be marvelous to see it back here at the Grand Palais in a few years as an example of the transformation and the bidders appropriately valued it at four times Bonhams low estimate.Lot # 398 1934 Delage D8/15 Pillarless 4-Dr. Sedan; S/N 39312; Engine # 106; Dark Blue, Black fenders and roof/Tan leather; Estimate $102,030 – $122,436; Visually maintained, largely original, 4+ condition; Hammered Sold at $88,426 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $101,690 – RHD. Black wire wheels, blackwall tires, rear-mounted spare, Jacqu clock, Cibie headlights. – Matching numbers, with one owner from 1985-2006. Mediocre repaint with hood sides that look like they were done with a roller. Sound interior, erratic bright trim, grubby chassis, orderly but aged engine. Even as a driver this is a marginal car. – The bidders gave it a marginalized value, appropriately.Lot # 401 1927 Amilcar CGS 2-Seater; S/N 1777; Blue, Aluminum hood/Beige; No top; Estimate $68,020 – $95,228; Not evaluated; Hammered Sold at $40,812 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $46,934 – RHD. 1,097cc/40hp, red wire wheels and frame, dual aeroscreens, cycle fenders, single sidemount. – Not evaluated, but its picture got taken and is one of the most appropriate of all the cars in the Grand Palais setting. This car looks right, as it would have on display at a late Twenties auto show. – And it didn’t cost a lot, either, for a voiturette that will acquit itself well with contemporary Bugattis and is eligible for many of the same events.Lot # 402 1953 Porsche 356 “Pre-A” Coupe, Body by Reutter; S/N 51020; Engine # P31812; Pascha Red/Blue-Grey leather; Estimate $176,852 – $231,268; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $176,852 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $203,380 – Telefunken multiband radio, hubcaps, whitewalls, dual outside mirrors, bent windshield. – Represented as matching numbers. Excellent paint, chrome and interior. Engine like new. Restored better than new. Very little filler. Foglights (or something) removed from front fender. – An exceptionally well restored and presented early Porsche with matching numbers confirmed by a Porsche Italia certificate. Looks great with the whitewalls and is Mille Miglia eligible where it will be a real hit. All things considered for its condition and rarity it is a good value at this price.Lot # 408 1984 Ferrari 126 C4 M2 Formula 1; S/N 072; Red/Beige leather; Estimate $544,160 – $816,240; Competition restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $571,368 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $657,073 – Raced three times in 184 by Michelle Alboreto, dnf in Brazil, 12th in South Africa and 7th in Monaco. Clean, sharp, attractive and race-ready. 2009 Goodwood stickered. Invited to the March 2014 Goodwood ‘Members Meeting’. Not fresh but very orderly. Comes with assorted spares including two incomplete engines. Ferrari Classiche certified. – Twelve year ago Bonhams offered this Ferrari at Gstaad where it no-saled at $196,422. It has been gone through since and is reassuringly presented. While it’s tempting to turn up the turbos to their full qualifying boost and 1000+ horsepower, the race boost and 650hp is probably enough to make for a fun afternoon. The first cost of buying it, however, is only a fraction of what it’ll cost to run it a few times a year and replace life-limited components.Lot # 410 1958 Porsche 356A 1600 Super Coupe; S/N 105921; Engine # 83048; Aquamarinblau/Red leather, cloth; Estimate $95,228 – $136,040; Modified restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $125,157 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $143,930 – Chrome wheels, braced rollbar, headlight stoneguard, Nardi woodrim steering wheel, bucket seats, custom aluminum billet shift linkage, Carrera seats, close ratio gears, exposed deck lid fuel filler, no bumpers. – Erratic paint over filled body. Intermittent orange peel. Lovely interior. Underbody done to high standards. Porsche Italia certificate, CSAI/ACI papers. An attractive car done cosmetically erratically but mechanically impressively. – Enough money for a cafe racer.Lot # 412 1936 Lancia Astura Tipo 233 Ministeriale 4-Dr. Sedan; S/N 33-3381; Engine # 1215; Black/Gray leather; Estimate $68,020 – $88,426; Visually maintained, largely original, 4+ condition; Hammered Sold at $47,515 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $54,642 – RHD. Dual enclosed sidemounts, Black wire wheels, Carello headlights, sliding division, two liquor flasks on division, jump seats. – Old repaint and upholstery, otherwise original and aged. Paint is scratched, chipped and cracking. Upholstery is sound but interior wood needs careful refinishing. Displayed in the Rome Museo della Polizia and in fairly typical museum car condition. – With a 3-liter narrow angle V-8, hydraulic brakes and Lancia’s independent front suspension, the Lancia Astura was everything a functionary in the Mussolini government could ask for, especially with the Ministeriale coachwork wiht division, jump seats for functionaries and handy flasks on the division for en route refreshment. Not particularly appealing, but imposing and rare, this Astura brought a modest post-block price.
Bonhams Paris Grand Palais 2014 – Auction Report Page Five
Lot # 416 1932 Lancia Astura 2nd Series Cabriolet, Body by Pinin Farina; S/N 301543; Engine # 85601; Black, Maroon sides/Crimson leather; Beige cloth top; Estimate $204,060 – $272,080; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $170,050 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $195,558 – RHD. Black painted wire wheels, blackwall tires, dual rear spares, Bosch headlights, trafficators. – A mediocre older restoration now about a decade and a half old showing limited use but significant age. Scuffed, microblistered paint, folding creased but sound top. Good interior and wood. Clean engine, lightly grubby chassis. A marginal driver, but a rare and important automobile that would make an unusual statement on the Mille Miglia or other historic tours. – A quality automobile well within the class of contemporary Alfa Romeos but less appreciated today. Blessed with quality Pinin Farina coachwork, this is a rare combination at a realistic price that still under-appreciates its quality and performance. An astute collector paid a modest price for the quality of the underlying car.Lot # 425 2003 Ferrari 456GT Modificata Coupe; S/N ZFFWP44B000130508; Silver-Grey/Grey-Blue leather; Estimate $40,812 – $54,416; Unrestored original, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $76,182 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $87,610 – 6-speed, Becker Traffic Pro stereo, A/C. – Unchipped paint, barely creased seats. Underbody shows some road dirt, but not much. 10,570km from new. – Something’s missing here. The 456 was superseded in 1999 by the 550, so where does this 456 M fall as a 2003 model?Lot # 426 2004 Ferrari 575M Maranello Coupe; S/N ZFFBT55B000137515; Metallic Black/Cognac leather; Estimate $74,822 – $88,426; Unrestored original, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $74,822 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $86,045 – 6-speed, Ferrari sound system, red calipers, modular wheels. – Clean, unchipped paint, barely worn seats. Clean used car. – Just a used car, but what a used car. The question that remains is where the depreciation curve bottoms out. It can’t be much below this.Lot # 429 1978 Ferrari 308 GTB; S/N 26007; Engine # F106AL4453; Red/Black leather; Estimate $40,812 – $54,416; Visually maintained, largely original, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $40,812 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $46,934 – Alloy wheels, Touring 2000 tires, A/C, Becker Europa cassette stereo, P/W, SF shields. – Good older repaint and original interior. Outie stars and painted over crack on rear deck. A reasonable driver, except for the no name tires. US-delivered, subsequently converted to European specs, cam belts four years ago. – Four years (even 500 miles) ago is long enough for the cam belts in a 308 GTB. That makes the price it brought here faily generous, especially with 97,501 miles on the odometer.Lot # 438 1966 Alfa Romeo Giulia Super Berlina ‘Bollo d’Oro’; S/N AR330454; Engine # AR0052618015; White/Red vinyl; Estimate $24,487 – $32,650; Recent restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $25,848 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $29,725 – 5-speed, no radio. – Good repaint, fair chrome and interior. Clean, orderly engine. A usable driver. – Built in truckloads, but not surviving in any significant numbers after forming from crappy Russian steel, Alfa Giulia Berlinas are superb road cars that make driving fun. The buyer of this one came out on the good side of the value for money equation and will startle drivers of Ferrari 2+2s with its handling and power.Lot # 441 1928 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Shooting Brake, Body by Hobbs, Hart & Co.; S/N 84FH; Engine # SK95; Grey, Black fenders/Brown leather; Estimate $204,060 – $244,872; Cosmetic restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $156,150 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $179,573 – RHD. Black wheel discs, blackwall tires, dual sidemounts, two row seats with jump seats, rollup division, Motorola radio, Aviazione Militaire Italiana clock, dual Marchal spotlights, Lucas tribar spotlights, opening windshield, windshield visor. – Originally a six-light Saloon by Knibbs of Manchester, rebodied by Weavers in the present style during WWII, later owned by Mirabel Topham of Aintree race course. Coachwork modified by Hooper postwar with 19 inch wheel rims and some coachwork details Sound older paint, chrome and nickel. Sound wood body in need of varnish, grubby chassis. Worn but sound upholstery. Weak trim chrome. Solid and utilitarian, needs only varnish to be used, but that’s all. – This is one handsome and impressive Phantom. Reportedly employed during the war as an RAF aircraft rescue vehicle, any downed aviator would feel privileged to be swept up in its cavernous and luxurious interior. This post-block result is a serious value for the new owner, especially considering that it wouldn’t be at all out of line to pay this much for a Thirties V-8 Ford station wagon in comparable condition.Lot # 442 1978 Ferrari 400iA 2-Dr. Sedan; S/N 24705; Engine # F101C0000204; Metallic Brown/Beige leather, Brown inserts; Estimate $25,848 – $34,010; Visually maintained, largely original, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $25,848 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $29,725 – Automatic, Blaupunkt cassette stereo, P/W. – Cracked dash top, soiled interior, decent clearcoat repaint. Original underbody. Orderly engine compartment. – Blow the baffles out of this Ferrari’s 4.8 liter engine’s exhaust system and it’ll sound, and largely go, like a Daytona. It will, on the other hand, never be worth a lot of money despite the relaxed driving the GM Hydramatic automatic transmission offers. A car for drivers, and with this result being representative of 400iA values, who appreciate the dynamics and not the posturing. Right money, but more car than collectors give it credit for being.Lot # 443 1984 Ferrari Mondial QV, Body by Bertone; S/N ZFFL014B000050997; Carbon Black/Cream leather; Estimate $25,848 – $29,929; Visually maintained, largely original, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $19,046 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $21,902 – Alloy wheels, Michelin X tires, Sharp multiband radio, A/C. – Loose right door panel. Decent clear coat repaint, clean, lightly stretched upholstery. Bumper has been lightly hit, left front fender filler pushed out of alignment. – This is serious value in an underappreciated Ferrari although without documentation of engine service promises some significant maintenance expenses before it’s ready to be driven with risking its valve stems and piston tops. The price it brought reflects the lack of service documentation and appropriately handicaps its needed service.
Another marvelous, incisive report. Thank you for all the effort that went into it. You do much to keep the site distinct from rival online fanzines.