A 1972 Maserati Boomerang Coupé design study by Giugiaro sold for $3,666,800 at the 2015 Bonhams classic car auction at the Chantilly Concours d’Elegance.
Bonhams 2015 Chantilly Concours d’Elegance Sale
Bonhams hosted its first classic car auction at the Arts & Elegance event in the grounds of the Château de Chantilly on September 5, 2015. Other events included a “Concours d’Elegance” competition for modern concept cars, and a superb “Concours d’Etat” for classic cars from around the world.
The Bonhams Chantilly Sale achieved a total €7.5 million from an exclusive collection of just 28 cars, as rare and interesting as the cars participating in the competitions.
1971 Maserati Boomerang
The only example of its kind, the Maserati Boomerang was the signature concept car of the 1970s. Designer Giorgetto Giugiaro used geometric shapes and ruler straight lines to create its angular appeal, ensuring the unusual Boomerang emerged from the decade to be one of the great style influences of the motoring industry. After intense bidding in the room and on the telephones, the Boomerang sold for €3,289,500 (US $3,666,805).
1968 Maserati Mexico
Elsewhere from Maserati, the 1968 Maserati Mexico 4.7-Liter Coupe sold for €646,300. Named in honor of Cooper-Maserati’s victory in the 1966 Mexican Grand Prix, the Maserati Mexico was unveiled at the 1966 Turin Motor Show to much fanfare.
The motor car offered however is no mere standard Mexico but a bespoke Frua creation, the most attractive of the three one-offs produced in the longstanding relationship between Maserati and car designer Pietro Frua.
Retaining the general Mexico lines, but more sharply defined, the Frua Mexico in many ways recalls the Quattroporte. Restored to its initial light green paintwork, with original Bordeaux leather, the Mexico won the Best of Show award at the Maserati 100th Anniversary celebrations, and is the quintessential example of Maseratis Grand Touring excellence.
1977 Mercedes Benz 450 SEL 6.9
Further highlights include eight motorcars from the personal collection of French businessman and art collector, Alain Dominique Perrin. Most notable of the collection is a car steeped in French pop music history – the 1977 Mercedes 450 SEL 6.9 originally owned by famous French singer and composer, Claude François.
Claude, or CloClo to his fans, was one of France’s biggest pop stars, with a legacy that remains today as he continues to be one of the country’s biggest-selling recording artists. Claude famously wrote and composed the original version of My Way, a song made internationally famous by Frank Sinatra. After intense bidding in the room, the 1977 Mercedes 450 SEL 6.9 sold for close on €100,000 to a private European buyer.
