2016 Bonhams Chantilly Sale Results (Press Release)

1935 Mercedes-Benz 500K Roadster
1935 Mercedes-Benz 500K Roadster – © Bonhams

Two German 1930s roadsters sold for over a million dollar each at the Bonhams Chantilly 2016 sale in Paris: a 1935 Mercedes Benz 500K and a 1938 Horch 853. The top result was €5,290,000 ($5.9 million) for a 1935 Mercedes Benz 500K Roadster that was stolen after the Second World War but returned to the Prym family in Germany in recent years. A 1937 Horch 853 Special Roadster sold for €1,035,000 ($1,155,000) while a 1938 Horch 853 A Sport Cabriolet and a 1934 Horch 780 B Cabriolet each sold for €632,500 ($705,000).

Bonhams 2016 Chantilly Classic Car Auction

Bonhams held its second Chantilly classic car sale on the grounds of the Château de Chantilly, at the Chantilly Arts and Elegance fair outside Paris, France, on 3 September 2016. More than €9 million were made from the 17 cars sold.

The annual event includes a “Concours d’Elegance” competition for modern concept cars, and a superb “Concours d’Etat” for classic cars from around the world. The “Art & Elegance” event also plays host to fine art exhibitions, fashion shows, live music and various lifestyle exhibits, all on the grounds of the magnificent château.

1935 Mercedes Benz 500 K Roadster

The 1935 Mercedes-Benz 500K Roadster, chassis 105380, sold for €5,290,000 ($5,900,000) as the top result at the Bonhams 2016 Chantilly sale. Only 354 Mercedes Benz 500 K cars were ever produced of which only 29 were completed with roadster coachwork.

In 1935 this 500K took pride of place on the Mercedes-Benz stand at the Berlin Motor Show, where it was promptly bought by Hans Friedrech Prym (1875-1965). Hans came from the industrial Prym dynasty, a family who for twelve generations had produced haberdashery, copper, and brass products, leading to Hans becoming known locally as the ‘zipper king’.

This Mercedes Benz 500K was stolen at the end of the Second World War and only resurfaced during the 1970s in the USA. It was sold at Pebble Beach in 2011 for $3,767,500. When the new owner decided to exhibit the car at the 2012 Techno Classic Car show in Essen, Germany, the Prym family managed to have the car impounded. Negotiations led to a final settlement and the Mercedes Benz returned to the Prym family.

Horch Roadsters at Bonhams Chantilly 2016

A trio of Horch classics from the 1930s sold for a combined €2.3 million at the 2016 Bonhams Chantilly classic car auction. Founded in 1904, Horch is one of the ancestors of the present Audi company. In its short lifetime, the company produced several magnificent motorcars, three of which achieved excellent prices in the auction room.

The 1937 Horch 853 Spezial Roadster sold for €1,035,000 ($1,155,000), while both the 1938 Horch 853 A Sport Cabriolet and the 1934 Horch 780 B Cabriolet realized €632,500 ($705,800).

Further Bonhams 2016 Chantilly auction highlights included:

  • 1956 Bentley S1 Coupé, sold for €293,250
  • 1993 Porsche 911 Turbo Coupé sold for €238,625
  • 1965 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud III Cabriolet sold for €207,000
  • 1994 Porsche 928 GTS, sold for €101,200
  • 1990 BMW Z1 Roadster sold for €69,000.

Malcolm Barber, Bonhams Co-Chairman, said: “Chantilly Arts & Elegance is a fabulous event where Bonhams is proud to offer the sole motoring auction. We’ve achieved an excellent result today, and look forward to the two further auctions coming up in September, with the Goodwood Revival Sale taking place 10 September, and the Robert White Collection Sale taking place 19 September.”