Bonhams held its second annual Automobiles d ‘Exception à Retromobile sale on February 7th at the Porte de Versailles in Paris. Bonhams sold 61 of 86 cars for a $14,497,088 total.
A packed saleroom witnessed determined bidding, with bids coming from around the world but collectors from mainland Europe were usually victorious. Top sale went to the Ex-Earl Howe 1937 Bugatti Type 57S Atalante at $4,408,575, followed by $3,131,475 for “Black Bess” – the ex-Roland Garros Bugatti Type 13 and an astonishing $435,375 for a Citroen DS23 EFi Cabriolet.
James Knight, Group Head of Bonhams’ Motoring department commented: “The sale attracted unprecedented exposure, we had a packed saleroom of over 1,500 people and I am very pleased with the results. I felt the Type 57S Atalante made a market correct price and was pleasantly surprised with the result for Black Bess. I was staggered by the price achieved for a DS23 Cabriolet – I have no idea what the record was, but I reckon we must have smashed it!”
Knight continued, “By the time the sale finished we had achieved a success rate of over 70%. The sale result endorses my assessment of the market. There is a healthy interest for rare and interesting motorcars and a ready market for most other cars as long as they are priced at levels to encourage interest. This was just the start to the New Year we were looking for and we can draw confidence from the results.”
Bonhams offered 86 automobiles for sale, with 61 finding a new owner, reflecting a 71% sales rate. Total sales volume was $14,497,088, inclusive of buyer’s premiums. The average price per car sold was $237,657.
For full sales results, visit www.bonhams.com/cars.
2009 Bonhams Retromobile Auction Result Highlights:
Ex-Earl Howe 1937 Bugatti Type 57S Atalante – Sold for $4,408,575.
1913 Bugatti Type 18 5-litre Sports Two-seater “Black Bess” – Sold for $3,131,475.
1929 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Coupe – Did not sell at high bid of $1,744,740.
1955 OSCA 1.5-Litre – Sold for $477,945.
1973 Citroen DS23 EFi Cabriolet – Sold for $435,375.
1939 Jaguar SS100 Roadster – Sold for $279,285.
1970 Porsche 914/6 GT Rally – Did not sell at high bid of $323,100.
1961 Ferrari 250GT SWB Alloy Berlinetta – Did not sell at high bid of $1,708,553.
1955 Lancia Aurelia B20 4th Series Coupe – Sold for $89,010. Ex-Turin Show Car.
1973 De Tomaso Pantera Group 3 Coupe – Did not sell at high bid of $264,942.
1953 DB Panhard Coupe with Coachwork by Carrozzeria Frua – Did not sell at high bid of $64,620.
[Source: Bonhams]
All the cars in this auction are beautiful and it awesome to see a Citroen DS 23 Cabriolet sell for a very high price which is deserved and I hope that is world record. For far to long the prices of the Citroen DS/ID have been surpressed and maybe this will be ignition that starts the fire of Appreciation. The prices of the other marques are awesome as well. Its refreshing to see European Makes Climb in Price and I hope this is world wide trend as the american muscle car deserved price appreciation but the prices in the US are insane vs Europe.