2019 Bonhams Paris Sale (German Classics Announcement)

German classic cars, including a BMW 507 Roadster, Mercedes Benz 540 K and Gullwing are on offer at the Bonhams Paris 2019 Rétromobile Week sale.

1939 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Cabriolet A © Courtesy of Bonhams

Several German classic cars will be among the top lots on offer at the Bonhams Paris 2019 sale during Rétromobile week. The 1957 BMW 507 is a rare Series 1 example – only 34 were ever built. The classic pre-war 1939 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Cabriolet A is sold by the Jordan royal family. The concours-ready 1958 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL ‘Gullwing’ Coupé (€1,100,000-1,500,000) is believed to be the only Gullwing in the world fitted with a new factory-supplied aluminum engine. Several Porsches will also be offered.

Bonhams Paris Rétromobile Week Sale 2019

Bonhams scheduled its eighth annual Grandes Marques du Monde sale in the Grand Palais in Paris on 7 February 2019 during the annual Rétromobile Week.

In 2018, Bonhams achieved a total of €14,930,317 with 77% of lots sold. The sale included around 200 automobilia lots and 130 cars. In 2017, Bonhams’ top result in Paris was €2,012,500 for a 1935 Aston Martin Ulster Sports Two Seater

German Classic Cars at Bonhams Paris 2019

Several of the most desirable lots in the Bonhams Paris 2019 sale are landmark examples from the finest German marques in the world.

1957 BMW 507 Series I

The 1957 BMW 507 is a Series 1 example (€1,800,000 – 2,200,000), meaning that it is eligible for some of the most prestigious events in the world including the Mille Miglia and the Tour Auto. It is one of only 34 Series 1 examples built and has matching numbers throughout. The interior is delightfully original, and the engine is effectively ‘as new.’ The eye-catching teal exterior makes this one of the most distinctive and attractive examples of BMW’s most beautiful model.

Bonhams had two spectacular results for BMW 507 Roadsters in 2018, including $3 million for the 507 that the car’s designer Albrecht Graf von Goertz owned himself privately and more spectacularly a BMW marque-record $5,032,000 at Goodwood 2018 for the 507 owned from new by John Surtees. The previous highest price paid for a BMW 507 was $2,750,000 – expect the rush to market to continue as long as prices hold up.

1939 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Cabriolet A

A second masterpiece of German engineering is the 1939 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Cabriolet A (€1,700,000 – 2,300,000) that was originally owned by HRH King Hussein of Jordan and is being offered directly by his family. The rarest of the Cabriolet examples built by the German marque, the ‘A’ has the shortest chassis, lending the stately and imposing car a slightly sleeker silhouette.

1958 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL ‘Gullwing’ Coupé

Arguably one of the most recognizable and desirable classic cars in existence is the Mercedes-Benz Gullwing. The 1958 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL ‘Gullwing’ Coupé (€1,100,000-1,500,000) offered is in immaculate concours-ready condition and is believed to be the only Gullwing in the world fitted with a new factory-supplied aluminum engine. It has been exhibited and taken part in some of the most prestigious motoring events in the world including the Concours Arts et Elegance Richard Mille in Chantilly, the Flying Stars exhibition at Mercedes-Benz Paris showroom and the Spain Rally FIA.

Mercedes Benz Gullwing prices have been firmer at recent auctions and more are again coming to market – large numbers are also available at Scottsdale 2019 and likely at Amelia Island too.

Porsches at Bonhams Paris 2019

A variety of important Porsches are included in the sale, such as the blisteringly fast 1997 Porsche Ruf CTR2 (€1,300,000-1,600,000) – for many years the fastest production vehicle in existence. Capable of reaching 60 mph in under 3.5 seconds and with a top speed of 220 mph, this is arguably the ultimate 90’s performance car. It outperformed the Ferrari F50, Jaguar’s XJ220 and equaled the astonishing Nissan R390 GT1. Rare, exotic and dazzlingly powerful.

A second interesting offering from the Stuttgart marque is the timeless 1950 Porsche 356 Split-Window ‘Four Digit’ Coupé (€800,000-1,100,000), a concours-ready example of one of the most iconic sports cars ever created. This seriously rare split windscreen version is thought to be one of only 30 survivors and has won prizes across Europe such as ‘Most Iconic Car’ at the Zoute Concours d’Elegance and ‘Best Restoration’ at InterClassics Brussels. It is in absolutely original condition and would make a remarkable addition to any collection.