Artcurial Motorcars at Rétromobile, Sale 3 February 2012 | News | Artcurial

ARTCURIAL MOTORCARS at RéTROMOBILE !

The Car is the Star!

Posted 6 December 20111

Artcurial Motorcars will offer an astonishing line-up of collectors’ cars for the next Retromobile sale in Paris on 3 February 2012. Official auctioneers for the international Retromobile Salon, Artcurial will present a drive-through sale featuring the best examples of models dating back over the last 115 years. Approximately half of the cars will be offered at no reserve and many will be fresh to the market.

1959 Ferrari 250 GT California Spider LWB

Ex-Roger Vadim, from the Jean-Claude Bajol Collection, fitted with its factory hardtop
Estimate on request, Auction 3 February 2012

The Jean-Claude Bajol Collection

Star of the show will be a stunning 1959 Ferrari 250 GT California LWB forming part of the Jean-Claude Bajol Collection. M. Bajol, a well-known film director who died earlier this year, was one of the first French collectors of important Ferrari motorcars. In his time Bajol owned examples of all key Ferrari models, including a GTO, a Tour de France and a competition SWB and the California remained in his collection. Complete with its original hardtop and covered headlights, the car is steeped in the world of movies and the romance of St Tropez. Bought new by none other than Roger Vadim, celebrated French screenwriter, director, producer and actor who discovered and later married Brigitte Bardot, the California is presented in immaculate condition.

Jean-Claude Bajol was the second owner of two cars that were both delivered new in France, a rare 1967 Bizzarini 5300 GT estimated to fetch €320,000–420,000 and a 1964 Maserati 3500 Vignale Cabriolet, (estimate €200,000 – 300,000). Other highlights of this collection include a 1958 Lancia B24 S Cabriolet (€180,000–220,000), a 1969 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona (€240,000–280,000) and a 1964 Lancia Flaminia 3C 2.8-litre Zagato (€100,000–140,000). Bajol was a fastidious collector and all cars are presented in perfect condition.

Stars from the vintage era

The 2012 Retromobile sale will lend the stage to some highly important vintage cars, including a wonderful 1913 Delaunay Belleville 8L Type 0.6 estimated to change hands for €400,000–500,000. This very rare French motorcar has been in the same family ownership since 1918 and was dismantled and hidden during the war and remained hidden until 1984. From a US collection comes a 1948 Delahaye 135M Cabriolet by Pourtout (€300,000–400,000) that has appeared in countless concours d’elegance events and is in immaculate condition, and a beautiful 1947 Delahaye 135MS Cabriolet by Franay (€500,000–700,000), 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.

Fresh from the barn

An extraordinary collection of 15 motorcars that have lain untouched for more than 40 years will emerge from layers of dust to come under the hammer in Paris, and will all be offered at no reserve. Protected from the elements, they 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.

From F1 to F40

While still winning F1 races Nigel Mansell took possession of a new 1989 F40 which gained notoriety by later selling for a record price. The car has been certified by Ferrari, and is offered with a full history file, estimated at €320,000–400,000.

Extraordinary Citroëns

No Artcurial sale would be complete without examples of the finest Citroën models. The 2012 Retromobile sale will feature two very special cars: the Citroën DS camera car used by Claude Lelouch to film many celebrated French movies. Film maker Lelouch was once arrested for a drive at breakneck speed through the heart of Paris, with a camera attached recording the speeds of up to 140mph, in what became the cult film “C’était un rendez-vous”. While the Citroën on offer may not match the top speed, it is offered complete with period filming equipment. Also on offer is a 1965 Citroën 2CV that was delivered new to Beverley Hills and has covered just 120 miles from new. This super-rare ‘California’ version'was part of the Bill Harrah collection for many years.

In 2011 Artcurial Motorcars sales realised €17-million, an increase of 33% on 2010. With an exceptional line-up for the next Retromobile sale and an important sale at Classic Le Mans planned for later in the year, 2012 is also looking good.