The top 10 results from Artcurial's Le Mans Classic sale

French auction house Artcurial's Le Mans Classic sale was a resounding success, with an assortment of classics and automobilia selling for a total of more than 13 million euros. Besides the French, there were European, American and South African collectors among the bidders…

On Saturday, shortly before the flag dropped for the opening race of the 2014 Le Mans Classic, Artcurial sold more than 80% of its catalogue, with an impressive 37 cars each making more than 100,000 euros. Highlights, as expected, included the 1961 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster (with accompanying hardtop) that sold for 1.1156m euros, and the 1964 AC Cobra 289 Mk II with period Le Mans history, which made 761,000 euros. According to Artcurial’s head auctioneer, Hervé Poulain, it wasn’t just the poor weather that ensured the bidders were active on Saturday afternoon, but the fact that selling racing cars at Le Mans is similar to offering antique marble at the foot of the Acropolis – there is no lack of enthusiasts.

Above the estimate

Selling significantly higher than its 60,000-80,000-euro estimate was the Jaguar MkVII Beutler-Cabriolet, fetching 160,900 euros. Similarly, a Ferrari F40, estimated to sell between 450,000 and 500,000 euros, was sold to a South African bidder for 691,400 euros and, following a lengthy telephone bidding battle, an Aston Martin DB2/4 sold for a record price of 602,000 euros, confirming the continued strong growth in the classic car market.