Auction News | Bonhams – Les Grandes Marques du Monde à Paris

Auctions are an important part of the classic car market. Rare and special vehicles in particular are sold for sometimes extraordinary sums. In our “Auction News” section, we regularly look at the results of the most recent auctions and place the prices achieved in the context of the market value development of the respective vehicles.

The Auction

The auction Les Grandes Marques du Monde à Paris took place between 3 and 10 March 2021 online only. 76 different cars and motorbikes were offered, ranging from a Honda Dax (Estimate € 5,000-7,500) to a 1960 Aston Martin DB4 Series II (Est € 450,000-600,000).

These were the lots to watch out for

1992 Porsche 911 Carrera 2 964 WTL

At first glance, the Porsche looks like a fairly ordinary 964 with a factory turbo-look (WTL). What makes it special is its history: from 1992 to 1993, the late football icon Diego Armando Maradona was the owner of the Porsche. During his time with Sevilla FC, he drove the 964 through Spain, sometimes too fast, as evidenced by a speeding ticket for driving at 180 km/h through Sevilla’s city centre.

2017 Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera Sciàdipersia Coupé

The renowned coachbuilder Touring presented the Sciàdipersia at the 2018 Geneva Show. The car – and its name – were inspired by the Maserati 5000 GT, which Touring made in the 1950s for the Shah of Persia, a passionate Maserati owner. Only 15 examples of the Sciàdipersia were built based on the Maserati GranTurismo, only this one as a coupé. The original invoice for this unique piece is € 760,620, so the estimate of between € 380,000 and € 580,000 does not seem too high.

1988 Lancia Delta Integrale 8V Gruppe A

There are quite a few Lancia Delta models. The real, integral rally veterans stand out. Like this 1988 Group A vehicle, which took part in the East African Safari and the Acropolis Rally, among others. In the past few years, the specimen was in collector’s hands.

The best results of Les Grandes Marques du Monde à Paris

The big star of the Les Grandes Marques du Monde à Paris auction was by far Maradona’s Porsche 964, which changed hands for € 483,000 including buyer’s fee. Well over twice the predicted estimate.

A 1960 Aston Martin DB4 Coupé also achieved a good result at € 483,00, as did a 1959 Porsche 356 Convertible D for € 253,000.

Further surprises and insights

There were some good sales in the middle segment in particular. A 1964 Morris Mini Cooper S can be mentioned as an example. The sales price was € 63,250, the estimate was a maximum of € 40,000.

Some cars, which are traded on the open market partly above € 100,000, like a Mercedes-Benz 190 SL or a Jaguar E-Type of the first series, were sold well below the 100,000 Euro mark.

But for many lots the estimates were not reached either. This was also the case with the two previously mentioned examples of the Lancia Delta and Touring Sciàdipersia, which did not find a seller. Around 61 percent of the vehicles offered found a new owner during the auction.

Next Bonhams auction

Bonhams MPH March Auction
20. March 2021, starting 13:00 GMT.
Bicester, Bicester Heritage

Fotos Bonhams

Author: Paolo Ollig

As editor-in-chief Paolo regularly writes about all the big and small stories related to classic cars and motorbikes. Classic dreams: Lamborghini Countach and Mercedes-Benz 300 SL. View all posts by Paolo Ollig →