Salon Retromobile enjoyed its largest event yet in February at the Porte de Versailles Exhibition Center in Paris. More than 500 show cars filled the halls of Porte de Versailles as exhibitors, carmakers and various specialist vendors provided a variety of inspiration for the attending crowds. Three major auction houses held sales of classic and collectable cars in conjunction with the show, and these included:
• Artcurial enjoyed a successful Salon Retromobile auction, with total sales of nearly $34 million, as 73 percent of all lots sold. Leading the way was the weekend’s overall top seller, a 1965 Dino Berlinetta Speciale (shown) by Pininfarina that hammered for $4,655,000, followed by a 1948 Ferrari 166 Spider Corsa by Scaglietti that earned $3,138,820 and a 1972 Lamborghini Miura SV that sold for $2,532,350.
• RM Sotheby’s 4th annual Retromobile sale produced more than $29 million in sales, the company’s most successful Paris auction to date. The star of the night was a 1934 Alfa Romeo Tipo B P3, one of the most important pre-war Grand Prix cars. Campaigned by Scuderia Ferrari during the 1934 and 1935 seasons, and driven by many of the most significant Grand Prix pilots of the era, including Tazio Nuvolari and Achille Varzi, this important piece of motor sport history gaveled for $4,156,260.
• The star of Bonhams “Grandes Marques du Monde” sale in Paris was a 1935 Aston Martin Ulster (CML 719), with outstanding provenance and racing history including a 5th-place finish in its class at the 1935 24 Hours of Le Mans, that sold for $2,133,800. For a full breakdown and expanded report please visit sportscardigest.com/retromobile-auction-roundup/
