The Baillon collection, including a 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider, is the highlight of the Artcurial collector cars auction during the 2015 Paris Rétromobile Salon. Artcurial traditionally has a very interesting range of classic European cars on offer and the 2015 Paris auction will be even more interesting than usual with the 60 unrestored classic cars discovered in a shed in rural France taking center stage. Artcurial expect 12 cars to sell for over a million dollar each including four Mercedes Benz cars, three Ferraris and two Bugattis. The 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider (est. €9.5 to €12 million) is expected to be the most expensive car sold during the 2015 Paris auction week and will probably set a few auction records.
See also: 2015 Artcurial Paris Auction Results
Artcurial 2015 Paris Rétromobile Salon Auction
Artcurial expect the following 12 classic cars to achieve more than a million dollar (€850,000) each at the 2015 Paris Rétromobile Salon classic car sale on February 6, 2015:
| Year | Car | Estimate (€ million) |
| 1956 | Maserati A6C 2000 Gran Sport Berlinetta | 0.9 – 1.2 |
| 1961 | Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider | 9.5 – 12 |
| 1966 | Ferrari 275 GTB Berlinetta | 1.5 – 2.0 |
| 1932 | Bugatti Type 55 Cabriolet | 1.3 – 1.7 |
| 1957 | Mercedes Benz 300 SL Roadster | 0.8 – 1.2 |
| 1972 | Maserati Ghibli Spider 4.9L | 0.75 – 0.85 |
| 1955 | Mercedes Benz 300 SL Gullwing | 1.2 – 1.3 |
| 1928 | Bugatti Type 43 Grand Sport | 2.0 – 3.0 |
| 1966 | Ferrari 275 GTB/2 Long Nose | 2.75 – 3.25 |
| 1934 | Mercedes Benz 380 K Cabriolet A | 1.3 – 1.6 |
| 1938 | Mercedes Benz 540 K Spezial Roadster Long Tail | 2.0 – 3.0 |
| 1981 | BMW M1 Groupe 5 Le Mans | 0.7 – 0.9 |
Top Ferraris at the 2015 Paris Artcurial Sale
Artcurial will offer more than a dozen Ferraris at its 2015 Paris Rétromobile sale but only three are expected to sell for more than a million dollar each. However, this include the 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider from the Baillon Collection, which is expected to achieve over €10 million to make it not only the most-expensive car on offer by Artcurial but also by RM Auctions and Bonhams during the Paris auctions in early February 2015. It is likely to set an auction record.
The 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider is in an original, unrestored condition. It was the last of 37 Ferrari 250 GTB California Spiders produced on the short-wheel base chassis with covered headlamps.
The 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider was once owned by French actor Alain Delon but has been in the Baillon Collection since 1971. The car is in an original, unrestored condition but need some serious work before it would be roadworthy again.
A 1966 Ferrari 275 GTB Berlinetta is also unrestored but in a well-maintained, original condition. It had a single owner since 1972 and is estimated to achieve €1.5 to €2 million.
The 1966 Ferrari 275 GTB Series II Long Nose on offer also has a film-star connection. This yellow Ferrari once belonged to Jane Fonda and Roger Vadim. It is estimated to achieve €2.75 to €3.25 million.
Mercedes Benz Cars at the 2015 Paris Artcurial Sale
A Mercedes Benz 300 SL is almost compulsory at any classic car auction wanting to be taken seriously and the 2015 Paris Artcurial Rétromobile will have two fine examples on offer: a 1955 Mercedes Benz 300 SL Gullwing (Papillon) and a 1975 Mercedes Benz 300 SL Roadster with hard top.
However, the two pre-Second World War Mercedes Benz cars are more interesting. A 1938 Mercedes Benz 540 K Spezial Roadster with long tail is expecting to achieve between €2 and €3 million. The car is in mint condition.
Also on offer will be a 1934 Mercedes Benz 380 K Cabriolet A – the predecessor of the 540 K. Only 16 of the 380 Cabriolet A cars were ever built with this restored example one of only four known survivors. It is estimated to achieve €1.3 to €1.6 million.
Further Million Dollar Cars at Artcurial Paris 2015
Two Maseratis and two Bugattis are expected to clear a million dollar each at the 2015 Artcurial Paris Rétromobile sale. The 1956 Maserati A6G 2000 Gran Sport Berlinetta Frua is from the Baillon Collection and in a complete but unrestored condition. It is one of only four Fruas ever made (est. €0.9 – €1.2 million). In contrast, the 1972 Maserati Ghibli Spider 4.9 L on offer is in mint condition.
Of the two Bugattis, the 1928 Bugatti Type 43 Grand Sport 3/4 places is the more interesting. It is a highly desirable model enhanced by it good condition and it history of being driver by Malcolm Campbell at the 1928 Tourist Trophy and by WM Falkner at the Essex Six Hours. The estimate is €2 to 3 million.
A 1981 BMW M1 Groupe 5 Le Mans will also attract much attention. This particular model completed the 24 Heures du Mans twice. In 1981, this M1 finished 16 th overall and 5th in class and at the 1982 Le Mans race it finished 18th overall and 3rd in class. Only 455 BMW M1s were ever built contributing to the car’s high values compared to Porsche 911s from the same period. The car is estimated to achieve €700 to 800,000.
The Baillon Collection at the Artcurial Paris 2015 Sale
An absolute highlight of the classic car auctions in Paris in early February 2015 will be the 59 cars on offer from the Baillon Collection at the Artcurial sale. The chance discovery of this treasure trove of classic cars after five decades of neglect by Matthieu Lamoure and Pierre Nokikoff of Artcurial caused considerable excitement in classic car circles, especially as several barn finds have achieved premium prices in 2014.
Marques in unrestored but mostly complete condition include Bugatti, Hispano-Suiza, Talbot-Lago, Panhard-Levassor, Maserati, Ferrari, Delahaye, Delage and more. Even without the 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider, which is likely to break a Paris classic car auction record, this collection is likely to attract more excitement than the million-dollar cars this year.
The first lot on offer is a Singer Roadster 1500 with a come-buy-me estimate of only €200-€800. According to Artcurial this would be a pleasant car to drive and ready for casual cruising… after restoration. See Artcurial for all the lots with a marvellous collection of photos.
The Artcurial auction will be on February 6, 2015, at the Salon Rétromobile in Paris while the RM Auctions and Bonhams classic car sales will be in the preceding days.