2018 RM Sotheby’s Paris Rétromobile Week Sale (Auction Preview)

A 1953 Ferrari 166 MM Spyder that competed in two Mille Miglias and was driven by Kirk Douglas in The Racer is the top car on offer at the RM Sotheby’s Paris 2018 sale.

1953 Ferrari 166 MM Spider
1953 Ferrari 166 MM Spider – © Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s

A 1953 Ferrari 166 MM Spyder, estimate €3,700,000 to €4,500,000, is the lead car for the RM Sotheby’s Paris Sale during the annual Rétromobile week in early February. The sale will also include the first European-specification Bugatti Chiron offered at a public auction and a 1965 Iso Grifo A3/C originally owned by French rock legend Johnny Hallyday. Ten of the cars on offer are expected to sell for over a million dollar.

RM Sotheby’s Paris Rétromobile Week Auction 2018

1934 Alfa Romeo Tipo B P3 at Auction
Remi Dargegen © 2017 courtesy RM Sotheby’s

RM Sotheby’s will hold its fifth annual Paris sale during Rétromobile week on 7 February 2018 at Place Vauban in Paris, France. Around 80 cars will be on offer.

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%.

The highest result at the RM Sotheby’s Paris 2017 classic car sale was €3,920,000 for a 1934 Alfa Romeo Tipe B P3.

Million-Dollar Cars at the RM Sotheby’s Paris 2018

The top ten cars with the highest presale estimates at the RM Sotheby’s Paris 2018 auction are:

Year Car Estimate (€)
1953 Ferrari 166 MM Spyder 3,700,000 – 4,500,000
2017 Bugatti Chiron 3,200,000 – 3,600,000
1965 Iso Grifo A3/C 2,500,000 – 3,000,000
1965 Ferrari 275 GTB Alloy 2,400,000 – 2,800,000
2005 Maserati MC12 2,000,000 – 2,500,000
2014 McLaren P1 1,700,000 – 2,000,000
1958 BMW 507 Roadster Series II 1,600,000 – 1,800,000
1954 OSCA 2000 S by Morelli 875,000 – 975,000
1993 Bugatti EB 110 Super Sport Prototype 850,000 – 1,100,000
1992 Ferrari F40 850,000 – 950,000

Top Ferraris at RM Sotheby’s Paris 2018

1953 Ferrari 166 MM Spyder

1953 Ferrari 166 MM Spider
© Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s

Although the choice car at the Paris Rétromobile Week auctions will undoubtedly be the Le-Mans-winning 1964 Ferrari 275 P at Artcurial, the 1953 Ferrari 166 MM Spyder, chassis 0272M, estimate €3,700,000 – €4,500,000, at RM Sotheby’s is also a very worthy lead car (and will cost a lot less).

The 1953 Ferrari 166 MM Spyder was the fifth of 13 Ferrari 166 MMs built in 1953. Its unique coachwork was probably designed by Aurelio Lampredi and is believed to have been built by Ferrari itself.

Driver Alberico Cacciari alongside R.H. Bill Mason in chassis 0272 at the 1953 Mille Miglia.
Driver Alberico Cacciari alongside R.H. Bill Mason in chassis 0272 at the 1953 Mille Miglia. Courtesy of The Revs Institute

The 1953 Ferrari 166 MM Spyder was driven by first owner, Alberico Cacciari and R.H. Bill Mason, father of Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason, to 56th overall and 3rd in class at the 1953 Mille Miglia. The car was raced in at least 10 further hill climbs and similar events in the same year.

In 1954, the 1953 Ferrari 166 MM Spyder was driven in the Mille Miglia for the MGM Studios movie The Racer with Kirk Douglas as the race winner (in the movie). Due to the filming, the car did not actually finish the 1954 Mille Miglia. The 166 MM was exported to California to complete the film and thereafter was raced in America.

1953 Ferrari 166 MM Spider side
© Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s

More recently, the 1953 Ferrari 166 MM Spyder participated in the Mille Miglia Storica in 2008, 2009, and 2010, as well as other events.

The 1953 Ferrari 166 MM Spyder is in a remarkably original condition with almost all mechanical components original. The bodywork is 80% original, which is not bad for an extensively raced racing car. A part of the front end lost in a race accident in 1953.

1965 Ferrari 275 GTB Alloy

1965 Ferrari 275 GTB Alloy
Scott Pattenden © Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s

The second most-expensive Ferrari on offer at RM Sotheby’s Paris 2018 is a 1965 Ferrari 275 GTB, estimate €2,400,000 – €2,800,000, with desirable long-nose alloy bodywork by Scaglietti.

Following restoration in 2014 that saw the 275 returned to its original color scheme of metallic silver over black, the Ferrari won best in class at the Salon Privé in 2015.

1992 Ferrari F40

1992 Ferrari F40
Peter Singhof © Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s

The 1992 Ferrari F40, estimate €850,000 – €950,000, on offer at RM Sotheby’s Paris 2018 is fairly typical for the model: red over black and well maintained.

The catalog mentioned no mileage so this F40 was probably enjoyed as a car rather than an investment instrument. The car will be helped by recent services, a full set of attractive original luggage and being offered for sale without a reserve price.

Top Bugattis at the RM Sotheby’s Paris 2018 Sale

The top three Bugattis on offer at the RM Sotheby’s Paris 2018 sale are all from different eras in the company’s history:

2017 Bugatti Chiron

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

The 2017 Bugatti Chiron, estimate €3,200,000 – €3,600,000, is the second Chiron offered at auction by RM Sotheby’s and the third one in total but it will be the first European-specification Bugatti Chiron at auction.

This 2017 Bugatti Chiron is one of the first 20 Chirons delivered and is finished in two-tone Atlantic Blue over French Racing Blue. In contrast to the two Chirons offered at auction in the US with only delivery mileage, this car has actually been driven for 1,000 km.

The first Bugatti Chiron sold at auction achieved $3,772,500 at the RM Sotheby’s New York 2017 sale for a still unregistered US-specification 2018 Chiron. The estimate in Paris of around US $3.8 to $4.3 million appears high.

1993 Bugatti EB 110 Super Sport Prototype

1993 Bugatti EB 110 Super Sport Prototype
Tim Scott © Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s

The second top Bugatti at RM Sotheby’s Paris 2018 is a 1993 Bugatti EB 110 Super Sport Prototype, estimate €850,000 – €1,100,000, from a period not particularly popular with Bugatti fans.

This 1993 Bugatti EB 110 Super Sport Prototype is one of only 36 EB 110 Super Sports built and was used as a development vehicle by the factory. It was originally a two-wheel drive car fitted with engine 0009 and used for fuel consumption homologation testing. It was then converted to an all-wheel drive car and fitted with engine 0026, which was used in a different prototype that set a world speed record at 342.7 km/h.

This 1993 Bugatti EB 110 Super Sport Prototype was only sold to its first private owner in 1997 and has covered only 3,300 km since new.

1925 Bugatti Type 35 Grand Prix

1925 Bugatti Type 35 Grand Prix
Remi Dargegen © Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s

The 1925 Bugatti Type 35 Grand Prix, estimate €500,000 – €700,000, is from the classic era. Enticingly, it will be sold without reserve at the RM Sotheby’s Paris 2018 sale.

The relatively low estimate reflects that the car is not believed to be fully original. Doubts exit about the authenticity of the chassis and part of the bodywork is not original either. Parts identified as original include the front axle, shock absorbers, radiator and a portion of the bodywork. Still the car has a lovely patina and looks the part.

Several further classic Bugattis are expected to be on offer during the Paris Rétromobile Week 2018 at both Bonhams and Artcurial including a 1938 Bugatti 57C Atalante Coupé.

Johnny Hallyday’s 1965 Iso Grifo A3/C

Johnny Hallyday's 1965 Iso Grifo A3/C
Remi Dargegen © Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s

The high estimate of the 1965 Iso Grifo A3/C, estimate €2,500,000 – €3,000,000, is largely due to the car originally belonging to Johnny Hallyday. Although never very successful outside France, Johnny Hallday is often considered to be the French Elvis Presley.

The 1965 Iso Grifo A3/C was the eighth of 10 riveted-bodied cars built. It has a known history from new and has covered only around 27,000 km since new. The interior is original.

Iso Grifos are rare and seldom comes to market. RM Sotheby’s sold one for just over a million dollar in 2015 while a similar offer was refused on one in 2016. The Johnny Hallyday connection is the big determining factor: in 2017, Artcurial set two new model records with cars donated by Hallyday for charity when a 1989 Harley Davidson Softtail Springer 1340 CC sold for €280,000 ($296,800) and a 1953 Cadillac Series 62 Cabriolet Custom by Boyd Coddington sold for €270,000 ($286,200).

Another musical connection vehicle on offer at RM Sotheby’s 2018 Paris sale is a 1977 BMW 633 CSi, estimate €25,000 – €35,000. The BMW was used as a discrete get-away car by Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson during ABBA’s European tours.

2005 Maserati MC12

2005 Maserati MC12
Peter Singhof © Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s

The 2005 Maserati MC12, estimate €2,000,000 – €2,500,000, is one of the first of only 50 MC12s built. It has covered 12,500 km since new.

At least four Maserati MC12s have been sold in recent years with results ranging from $1.3 to $3.3 million. Many others failed to reach reserve margins, which makes it fairly brave to offer this car without reserve at the RM Sotheby’s Paris 2018 sale.

Further top Maseratis on offer at the RM Sotheby’s Paris 2018 sale include:

  • 1963 Maserati 3500 GT Spyder, estimate €700,000 – 800,000
  • 1970 Maserati Ghibli 4.7 Spyder by Ghia, estimate €700,000 – 800,000
  • 1967 Maserati Mistral 4.0 Spyder by Frua, estimate €750,000 – 850,000

2014 McLaren P1

2014 McLaren P1
Tom Gidden © Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s

The 2014 McLaren P1, estimate €1,700,000 – €2,000,000, on offer at RM Sotheby’s Paris 2018 is typical for the car: unique paint scheme, fairly low 6,000 km on the clock and €100,000 worth of custom MSO features.

It is probably the only P1 delivered new to Italy but possibly the most interesting fact specific to this P1 is the name of its custom paint scheme: Porsche Grauschwarz Gloss (7A1).

Thus far, no competing P1, Porsche 918 or LaFerrari have been announced for the Paris Rétromobile 2018 auctions.

1958 BMW 507 Roadster Series II

1958 BMW 507 Roadster Series II
Dirk de Jager © Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s

The 1958 BMW 507 Roadster Series II, estimate €1,600,000 – €1,800,000, had just two owners since new with the first owner only agreeing to sell the car in 2004. More remarkably, this 507 has been maintained since new by the same BMW-trained mechanic.

Although never restored, this BMW 507 is not fully authentic and had for example front disc brakes installed, as the original owner often used the car for her daily driving.

1954 OSCA 2000 S by Morelli

1954 OSCA 2000 S by Morelli
Dirk de Jager © Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s

The 1954 OSCA 2000 S by Morelli, estimate €875,000 – €975,000, is one of only four 2000 S cars produced and one of only three with barchetta bodywork by Morelli.

The car was identical to the Formula 2 cars with the first owner, Roberto Sgorbati driving it to victory in the 1954 12 Hours of Messina race. It was also raced in the 1000km of Buenos Aires.

A replacement engine was fitted around 1990 and the car participated in the 1994 Mille Miglia Storica.

2018 Paris Rétromobile Week Classic Car Auction Previews: Artcurial, Bonhams, RM Sotheby’s