A 1932 Bugatti Type 55 sold for €4,600,00 ($5,070,000) as the top result at the Bonhams Paris Rétromobile 2020 classic car auction.
The most-expensive car sold at the Bonhams Paris 2020 classic car sale was a 1932 Bugatti Type 55 that achieved a mid-estimate €4,600,00 ($5,070,000). This was also the highest result of all the car auctions during Paris Rétromobile 2020. A 1931 Invicta 4.5 litre S-Type Low Chassis Sports sold for a marque-record sold for €1,610,000 ($1,774,703). A 1935 Mercedes Benz 500K Cabriolet A sold for €1,610,000 ($1,774,703) while a 1963 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster sold for €1,033,333 ($1,136,666).
Top Results at Bonhams Paris 2020 Classic Car Auction
Bonhams earned €19,693,000 at the Paris 2020 classic car auction – its best result ever in Paris.
The top results at the Bonhams Paris 2020 classic car auction during Retromobile week were:
| Year | Car | Price (€) | Price ($) | Estimate (€) | |
| 1 | 1931 | Bugatti Type 55 Two-Seat Supersport by Figoni | 4,600,000 | 5,061,380 | 4,000,000 – 7,000,000 |
| 2 | 1935 | Mercedes-Benz 500K Cabriolet A | 1,610,000 | 1,771,583 | 1,500,000 – 2,000,000 |
| 3 | 1931 | Invicta 4 ½ Litre S-Type Low Chassis Sports | 1,610,000 | 1,771,583 | 1,200,000 – 1,500,000 |
| 4 | 1963 | Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster | 1,033,333 | 1,136,666 | 1,300,000 – 1,500,000 |
| 5 | 1934 | Talbot AV105 Brooklands Sports Racer | 879,750 | 967,988 | 800,000 – 1,100,000 |
| 6 | 1955 | Alfa Romeo 1900C SZ Coupé by Zagato | 724,500 | 797,167 | 750,000 – 1,000,000 |
| 7 | 1952 | Pegaso Z-102 Cabriolet | 713,000 | 784,513 | 700,000 – 900,000 |
| 8 | 2009 | MAT New Stratos Coupé | 690,000 | 759,207 | 700,000 – 900,000 |
| 9 | 1937 | Horch 853 Spezialroadster | 563,500 | 620,019 | 600,000 – 700,000 |
| 10 | 1937 | Maybach SW38 Special Roadster | 517,500 | 569,405 | 500,000 – 650,000 |
Note: Sale in euro. Results as reported directly after the auction, include premium.
Million-Dollar Cars at Bonhams Paris 2020
1932 Bugatti Type 55
The highest result at the Bonhams Paris 2020 classic car auction was €4,600,000 ($5,070,000) paid for a 1932 Bugatti Type 55, chassis 55221, estimate €4,000,000 – €5,000,000). This is also the highest price paid for a car at public auction thus far in 2020.
This Bugatti Type 55 was originally a works racing car campaigned at the 1932 24 Hours of Le Mans, where it was co-driven by two of France’s finest and most charismatic racing drivers of the 1930s, Louis Chiron and Count Guy Bouriat-Quintart.
Following Le Mans, where it was fitted with a regulations-compliant four-seater body, it was sold and the new owner commissioned noted automotive designer Giuseppe Figoni of Boulogne-sur-Seine, Paris, to create unique coachwork in a striking two-seat Type 55 style, but crucially with two highline doors. The Bugatti retained this bodywork and was sold from over six decades of single-family ownership.
Only 38 examples of the Type 55 Super Sports model were produced between 1932 and 1935. Of these 29 are known to have survived.
The current Bugatti marque record (nominal) is held by a 1932 Bugatti Type 55 Roadster that sold for $10,400,000 at the Gooding Pebble Beach 2016 sale. The only other Type 55 sold at auction in recent years was a 1931 Bugatti Type 55 Roadster that achieved $4,070,000 at Gooding Scottsdale 2018.
The ex-Works Team and ex-King Leopold 1934 Bugatti Type 59 Sports (Estimate: In Excess of £10,000,000) will be on offer at the Gooding London 2020 Passion of a Lifetime sale on 1 April 2020.
1931 Invicta 4.5 Litre S-Type Low Chassis Sports
A 1931 Invicta 4.5 litre S-Type Low Chassis Sports sold for above estimate when it achieved a marque-record €1,610,000 ($1,774,703) at the Bonhams Paris 2020 auction (presale estimate €1,200,000 – 1,500,000).
This Invicta featured unique ‘sport cabriolet’ coachwork by Carbodies and the nickname ‘Scout’. It was campaigned at the Le Mans Classic where it was pushed to 185 km/h. It has its original, unrestored body, paintwork, interior, and engine.
1935 Mercedes Benz 500K Cabriolet A
A 1935 Mercedes Benz 500K Cabriolet A, estimate: €1,500,000 – 2,000,000, sold for a good €1,610,000 ($1,774,703) at the Bonhams Paris 2020 auction. It is one of only 31 Cabriolets built and featured in-house coachworks by Sindelfingen.
This example was delivered new to the celebrated French film actor of the era, Henry Garat. In the 50-year ownership of its most recent custodian, the 500K has benefitted from a comprehensive restoration.
1963 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster
A 1963 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster sold for €1,033,333 ($1,136,666) as the highest 300 SL result of the three sold at Paris 2020. This car is one of only 200 Roadsters built with disc brakes and an all-aluminium engine, offered with a factory hardtop.
The 1937 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Cabriolet B was withdrawn prior to the sale. A more desirable 1937 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Cabriolet A will be offered at RM Sotheby’s Essen 2020.
Paris Retromobile Week Auctions 2020
Classic Car Auctions
The traditional Paris Rétromobile Week auctions in early February include:
- Bonhams: Les Grandes Marques au Grand Palais Sale on 6 February 2020.
- Artcurial: Rétromobile Classic Car Auctions on 7 – 9 February 2020.
- RM Sotheby’s: Paris Auction at Place Vauban on 5 February 2020.
Paris Auction Results 2020:
- 2020 Artcurial Paris Rétromobile Sale (Auction Results)
- 2020 Bonhams Paris Sale (Auction Results)
- 2020 RM Sotheby’s Paris Sale (Auction Results)
Press Releases 2020:
- Artcurial: Highlights (including 1929 Mercedes Benz 710 SS Sport Tourer)
- Bonhams: Top Bugattis (and prewar cars)
- Bonhams: 1966 Ferrari Dino 206S/SP Sports Prototype
- Bonhams: 1932 Bugatti Type 55 Roadster by Figoni
- RM Sotheby’s: Three Delahaye 135 Cars
- RM Sotheby’s: Exotic Cars (including Jaguar D-Type, Veneno & Porsche 904 GTS)