A 1961 Mercedes Benz 300 SL Roadster sold for a very strong $1,670,088 as the top result at the Artcurial Paris Mercedes Benz 2017 Sale.
Two Mercedes Benz 300 SLs sold for above a million dollar as the top results at the 2017 Artcurial Mercedes Benz single marque sale in Paris. The top result was $1,670,880 for a 1961 Mercedes Benz 300 SL Roadster with hardtop – the highest result for this model since 2014. A less than perfect 1955 Mercedes Benz 300 SL Gullwing also achieved a good result when it sold for $1,330,000.
Artcurial Mercedes Benz Paris Sale 2017
Artcurial Motorcars held a special Mercedes Benz only car auction at the Mercedes Benz Centre in Paris on 15 October 2017. On offer were 56 cars including around 20 from the collection of Mercedes Benz France.
The auction was taken by Maitre Hervé Poulain, who had already brought the hammer down on some 700 Mercedes-Benz cars! This dedicated Mercedes Benz sale grossed €8,754,651 ($10,330,488) with an 80% sell through rate.
Top Results at the Artcurial Mercedes Benz Paris Sale 2017
As expected, the stars of the show were the two Mercedes Benz 300 SL models from the collection of Mercedes Benz France. However, the results were in the reverse order of pre-auction expectations.
The top result at the Artcurial Paris Mercedes Benz Sale 2017 was €1,416,000 ($1,670,880) for a 1961 Mercedes Benz 300 SL Roadster with hardtop – the presale estimate was a more modest €800,000 to €1,00,000. Although the car is an original engine and gearbox vehicle, the older restoration is described as reasonable with patina in keeping with its appropriate use. However, the price paid was the highest result for a 300 SL Roadster since 2014.
The second highest price went to the 1955 Mercedes Benz Gullwing version which fetched €1,130,000 ($1,330,000) – within estimate of €900,000 to €1,300,000. This car is also a matching numbers example but probably could do with some additional restoration work.
A 2009 Mercedes Benz McLaren SLR 722 S Roadster just missed the million dollar mark when it sold for near top-estimate €822,500 ($970,550).
A 1934 Mercedes Benz Nürburg 500 Sport Tourenwagen sold for €679,000 ($801,692) while a 1938 Mercedes Benz 320 Cabriolet A achieved a strong €584,100 ($689,238) – the 320 have been gaining in price noticeably at recent auctions.
A few further interesting results included key models from the long history of Mercedes-Benz and collectors showed their enthusiasm for every period. Pre-war highlights included the 1934 380 K sports roadster that sold above estimate for 560 220 € / 661 060 $. Youngtimers were particularly in demand, including from the Mercedes-Benz France Collection, the 1991 560 SEL that fetched 35 800 € / 42 244 $ and the 1992 230 CE that changed hands for 14 300 € / 16 874 $ including premium. The imposing 1988 500 SL, well known for its appearances in such TV programs as Dallas, sold above estimate for 91 800 € / 108 324 $.
Artcurial’s next major car auction will the Rétromobile Week sale in February 2018 – the 1964 Le Mans-winning Ferrari 275 P has already been announced for this sale.
