Bonhams, the British auction house, returns this year to the ephemeral Grand Palais with its prestigious classic car sale Les Grandes Marques Du Monde in Paris. Since yesterday and until tonight, it is the opportunity to discover the most beautiful car models, all generations included.
Les Grandes Marques Du Monde in Paris is two days of auctions that celebrate more than a century of automotive innovation, with exceptional cars and motorcycles, from the creation of the automotive industry to today, through the icons of the 50s and 60s.
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In total, there are more than 150 cars and motorcycles on display for collectors from around the world. The prices, always more exorbitant from year to year, can reach millions of euros per vehicle.
Among the models presented, collectors can expect to see a Ferrari F40, a Porsche Carrera GT, a Pagani Hyura or a Bugatti Type 55.
An auction is always exciting, stressful and intense. But when it comes to luxury vehicles, it’s something else again. More than just utility vehicles, they have become true works of art that enthusiasts want to own at any price, no matter what the cost. During this new sale, rich investors are launching themselves into impressive arm wrestling.
“This type of sale brings together enthusiasts rather than investors. Some will pay close attention to detail, asking about maintenance and even whether the paintwork is original or not,” Paul Darvill, head of the European automotive department at Bonhams, told CNEWS.
Luxury cars are a bit like real estate or bags, they increase in value over time. This is the case with the Ferrari F40, for example, which is presented in very good condition. Two years ago, its price could be around 900,000 euros. Today, an equivalent model with 30,000 km on the odometer is estimated at between 2.2 million and 2.7 million euros, according to Paul Darvill.
In addition to the widely used models with thousands of kilometers, it is possible to find others that are almost new, such as the Pagani Hyura Roadster of 2020, which has only 800 km. Its estimate of between 2.4 and 2.7 million euros, due to its rarity, is already making buyers and their numbered signs panic.
Among these 150 vehicles, the sale includes a collection of twelve Porsche Turbo models, dating from the 70s to the 90s. Highly prized among car enthusiasts, their prices range from 100,000 to 500,000 euros.
The star of the auction
Does the 1991 Jordan-Ford Formula 1 car ring a bell? Perhaps it does for connoisseurs, less so for others, and yet…. This is the very first Formula 1 car in which international champion Michael Schumacher made his debut in this world. 32 years later, it will be on sale within the walls of the ephemeral Grand Palais.
It all began on the Belgian Grand Prix circuit in 1991. What Mozart brought to music, what Picasso gave to art or Spielberg to cinema, Schumacher did in F1! In his green Jordan Ford 191 single-seater, he immediately showed the extent of his talents.
Much more than a bottle-green car with 7up or Tic-Tac slogans, it marked the history of F1 and the beginning of the driver’s career. To become the lucky owner, you will have to pay between 1.4 and 2 million euros. It should be noted that the car is presented as “in working order after a proper control and inspection“. In other words, as soon as you buy it, you’re on the road, provided you know how to use it. And beware of the highway code.
More than a car auction…
The event takes place in parallel with the Rétromobile show, which runs until February 5 at the Parc expo Paris-Porte de Versailles, where hundreds of historic cars are waiting to be seen.
One of the world’s leading auction houses will also be presenting a sale of prestigious watches and the key lots of the upcoming Luxury and Fine Arts sales, including modern and contemporary art paintings, spirits as well as jewelry and fashion accessories.
The editor’s favorite
Although all the models presented are more fabulous than the others, one of them caught our attention even more. Maybe because it shines because it’s filled with shards of mirrors, but in any case, we would love to have this car in our garage, or at least parked in front of our house.
It is none other than the Porsche Miroir of the artist Troger. More than just a car, it’s a stunning piece of automotive art, created by Austrian artist Gustav Troger and entitled This is Not A Car on his website. As impressive as it may seem, the vehicle is functional. Exhibited during Les Grandes Marques Du Monde, its starting price is 400 000 euros.
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Featured photo : © Press
