RM Auctions on 4 February in La Place Vauban
From the 70 cars at RM Auctions, it was the race and rally legends that jumped out at us – cars such as the former factory racer, a 1969 Porsche 911 S in its colourful livery, one of just a handful of cars built to this specification. The example offered here not only won the fearsome Acropolis Rally, but also appeared at Le Mans three times. This stunning history of the Porsche sees it carry an estimate of 1.1 to 1.3 million euros. Another three-times Le Mans veteran is the 1935 Delahaye 135 S (1.2 to 1.6 million euros), one of just 16 examples of the Competition model, and complete with a full ownership history. The 1977 Lancia Stratos Stradale has no competition history of its own, but it can certainly boast rarity, as there were no more than 500 models built for Group 4 homologation. The Stratos comes from its single, original owner, still has its original paint and has covered less than 40,000km. It is offered for 350,000 to 450,000 euros.
Bonhams in the Grand Palais on 5 February
Among the French classics in the Bonhams auction is this elegant Delahaye 235 MS 1953 with bodywork by Henri Chapron. Between 1951 and 1954, only 83 bodies were created by Paris coachbuilder Chapron and this right-hand-drive coupé in an attractive colour combination is estimated at 160,000 to 190,000 euros. Another icon of French automotive history is this 1980 Renault 5 Turbo in Tour de Corse specification (100,000 to 125,000 euros). While the former road car was only retrospectively upgraded to rally-car spec – in 1983 – it then celebrated many successes in French rallies. And this burgundy red Aston Martin DB4 Convertible was exported to France in 1962 – as one of only 21 left-hand-drive versions ever built. The DB4 hasn’t changed hands since 1980, and is priced at 1.2 to 1.6 million euros.
Artcurial at Rétromobile on 6 February
Of course, the Baillon Collection is the highlight of Artcurial at the 2015 Rétromobile event and we can’t avoid again mentioning the two jewels from the collection of 59 patinated classics. We have discovered more about the 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider (chassis 2935) of Alain Delon in the form of another well-known owner. No wonder that, when lot number 59 comes up next Friday, it’s expected to sell for between 9.5m and 12m euros. Then there’s the Maserati GranSport A6G 2000 with bodywork by Frua, with perhaps the most attractive patina of the entire collection – and it carries an estimate of 800,000 to 1.2 million euros. For a real splash of colour, however, check out this 1968 Bizzarrini 5300 GT Strada with a 100 per cent French history. Since 1970, it’s been in the same hands and price expectations are 550,000 to 650,000 euros.
Photos: Artcurial, Bonhams, RM Auctions
