2019 RM Sotheby’s Paris Sale (Porsche 550 RS Announcement)

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A 1956 Porsche 550 RS Spyder and a 2014 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse are early highlights for the RM Sotheby’s Paris Rétromobile 2019 classic car auction.

1956 Porsche 550 RS Spyder – Remi Dargegen © Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s

RM Sotheby’s announced a 1956 Porsche 550 RS Spyder, estimate €3,800,000 – €4,300,000 ($4,400,000 – $5,000,000), as an early highlight for the 2019 Paris Rétromobile Week classic car auction. This Porsche was raced in period by the Ecurie Nationale Belge racing team and driven by amongst others Gilberte Thirion. A low-mileage 2014 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse, estimate €1,575,000 – €1,800,000 ($1,800,000 – $2,000,000) will also be on offer at the Paris 2019 sale.

RM Sotheby’s Paris Rétromobile Week Auction 2019

2017 Bugatti Chiron
Kevin Van Campenhout © Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s

RM Sotheby’s scheduled its sixth annual Paris sale during Rétromobile week for 6 February 2019 at Place Vauban in Paris, France.

In 2019, RM Sotheby’s earned more than €32.4 million with a sell-through rate of 79%.

In 2018, RM Sotheby’s earned €23,745,335 with a fairly strong 83% sell-through rate. In 2017, RM Sotheby’s achieved a gross sale total of €27,576,400 ($29,451,595) with a sell-through rate of 78%. In 2016, RM Sotheby’s grossed €19 million with a sell-through rate of 79%.

1956 Porsche 550 RS Spyder

Remi Dargegen © Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s

A 1956 Porsche 550 RS Spyder, chassis 550-0082, estimate €3,800,000 – €4,300,000 ($4,400,000 – $5,000,000), is an early highlight announced for the RM Sotheby’s Paris 2019 classic car sale. The exceptionally well-documented Porsche was raced in period by amongst others Gilberte Thirion – she drove the car to victory in the 1956 Course de Côte de la Roche-aux-Faucons hill climb.

This rare 1956 Porsche 550 RS Spyder is one of only 90 produced of Porsche’s first dedicated competition car. It was originally delivered to the Ecurie Nationale Belge racing team and was extensively raced in period.

First driven by Gilberte Thirion, the car placed 1st in the 1956 Course de Côte de la Roche-aux-Faucons hill climb. Thirion is a well-known female Belgian race driver of the 1950s; she competed in the Mille Miglia, the Rallye Monte Carlo, and the Tour de France among other notable races.

The 550 RS Spyder went on to contest the 1956 24 Hours of LeMans, 1957 1000 KM of Nürburgring and 13 additional races, in period.

After passing through a small chain of European owners, the car underwent a comprehensive restoration by Porsche Würzburg in 2000 and is now fitted with a correct type engine and gearbox, clothed in a stunning new Spyder body. Following restoration, the car campaigned the 2001 Mille Miglia Storica and was subject to a complete engine service in 2013.

Oliver Camelin, Car Specialist at RM Sotheby’s, says: “It’s an honor to have the chance to offer this iconic Porsche 550 RS Spyder, a car which is a milestone in Porsche history and which to this day remains one of the most coveted road-going racing cars ever made. It was Porsche’s first foray into making a purpose-built racing car and it did so with incredible success, combining simple yet stunning design with uncomplicated mechanicals and lightweight construction. In fact, the template for so many great racing Porsches that have followed in the decades since.”

Three Porsche 550 Spyders were sold at auction during 2018, with a few more failing to reach reserver prices. Prices paid in 2018 ranged from $4,455,00 paid for 1955 Porsche 550 at Gooding Pebble Beach 2018 to a model record $5,170,000 paid for a 1958 Porsche 550A at Bonhams Scottsdale 2018.

2014 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse

2014 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse – Simone Caldirola © 2018 Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s

RM Sotheby’s also announced a 2014 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse, estimate €1,575,000 – €1,800,000 ($1,800,000 – $2,000,000), for the Paris 2019 auction.

Various iterations of the Veyron followed its inception in 2006, culminating in final and greatest—the Grand Sport Vitesse. Fitted with the superlative 1,200 bhp quad-turbo W-16 engine and open-top bodywork, just 92 examples were built. RM Sotheby’s will offer a spectacular example in Paris, finished in the unique specification of two-tone Porsche Carrera White and Blue over a Lake Blue leather interior. Initially used by Bugatti as a factory display car, the car presents wonderfully throughout and shows just 2,750 km from new.

A world auction record was set when RM Sotheby’s sold a 2017 Bugatti Chiron for €3,323,750 ($4,088,212) as the top result at its Paris Rétromobile week 2018 sale. It was (and remains) only the second Chiron ever sold at auction.  Although RM Sotheby’s sold a 2015 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse for $2,420,00 at Monaco 2018, Veyrons generally struggled to find buyers in 2018, including during Monterey Week when six Veyrons failed to sell.

More on Paris Rétromobile 2019 Classic Car Auctions

Artcurial, Bonhams and RM Sotheby’s traditionally schedule their first European classic car auction of the year during the Rétromobile week in Paris in early February.

Paris Rétromobile Week 2019 Auction Results

Paris Rétromobile Week 2019 Auction Previews

Rétromobile Auction Announcements