2021 Bonhams Paris Sale (Online-Only Sale Announced)

A rare 1938 Peugeot 402 DES Darl’mat Special Sport was announced for sale in the Bonhams Les Grandes Marques du Monde à Paris 2021 classic car auction.

1938 Peugeot 402 DES Darl’mat Special Sport on offer in the Bonhams Les Grandes Marques du Monde à Paris 2021 Sale — © Bonhams

Bonhams announced Les Grandes Marques du Monde à Paris online-only auction to replace the traditional Rétromobile week sale in March 2021. A 1938 Peugeot 402 DES Darl’mat Special Sport, estimate €350,000 – 550,000, and a 1960 Aston Martin DB4 Series II, estimate €450,000 – 600,000, are the first cars announced for the first Bonhams European motor car auction of 2021.

Bonhams Les Grandes Marques du Monde à Paris Sale 2021

1932 Bugatti Type 55 by Figoni — © Bonhams

Bonhams Les Grandes Marques du Monde à Paris Sale will be held as its first fully online-only time motor car auction from 3 to 10 March 2021. This sale replaces the traditional Les Grandes Marques du Monde au Grand Palais sale that traditionally took place during the Paris Rétromobile week in February. Rétromobile 2021 has been postponed to June but Artcurial and RM Sotheby’s are still planning mid-February 2021 sales in Paris.

Although the auction will be online-only, certain lots will be available to view in person by appointment at regional hubs in France, Belgium, and Italy.

Bonhams earned €19,693,000 at the Paris 2020 classic car auction – its best result ever in Paris. The most-expensive car sold at the Bonhams Paris 2020 classic car sale was a 1932 Bugatti Type 55 that achieved €4,600,00 ($5,070,000). This was also the highest result of all the car auctions during Paris Rétromobile 2020 and one of five classic Bugattis selling for over $5 million in 2020.

1938 Peugeot 402 DES Darl’mat Special Sport

A 1938 Peugeot 402 DES Darl’mat Special Sport, estimate €350,000 – 550,000, is one of the star cars announced for the Bonhams Paris 2021 sale. With elegant and refined ‘Art Deco’ styling, it is one of the rarest and most distinctive French motor cars of the pre-war era.

The Darl’mat was the brainchild of the eponymous pre-war Peugeot dealer to create a small series of sporting Peugeots that could campaign with the likes of Mercedes-Benz or Bentley at Le Mans. Working with fellow Parisian coachbuilder Marcel Pourtout and celebrated designer Georges Paulin, Darl’mat produced an exclusive series of 105 Peugeot-based streamlined coupés, cabriolets, and roadsters over two years. The distinctive flowing lines of the teardrop-winged aluminum body were created by the early use of wind-tunnel technology.

Combined with Peugeot’s powerful 2.0-litre engine, the Darl’mat had a top cruising speed of 240kmh (150mph) and made an impressive mark at the 1937 Le Mans 24 Hours, with a team of three cars finishing second, third and fifth in their class and all finishing in the top ten overall.

One of 53 roadsters produced and now one of only 20 remaining, the example offered has a known history from new, having spent its entire life in France. Recently restored, it is presented in its original livery of blue over tan and would be welcome at many leading motoring events including Le Mans Classic.

Top Cars Announced for the Bonhams Paris 2021 Sale

1960 Aston Martin DB4 Series II on offer in the Bonhams Les Grandes Marques du Monde à Paris 2021 Sale — © Bonhams

Further cars already announced for the Paris Sale, which opens the Bonhams 2021 European motoring calendar, include:

1960 Aston Martin DB4 Series II, estimate €450,000 – 600,000. Known as the ‘Gentleman’s Express’, the DB4 was the fastest and most powerful British production car of its day.

It was also the first Aston Martin to carry the renowned ‘Superleggera’ all-aluminum bodywork by Carrozzeria Touring and the first to be powered by the all-new 240bhp six-cylinder 3.6-liter engine. This example is one of only 350 Series II cars built.

Also lining up are a brace of Ferraris, – a 458 Speciale, estimate €180,000 – 240,000, and a 1987 512 BB1, estimate €160,000 – 200,000, both featuring Formula 1-derived technology and engineering.

1933 Lagonda 16/80 2-litre, with coachwork by Vanden Plas on offer in the Bonhams Les Grandes Marques du Monde à Paris 2021 Sale — © Bonhams

An early pre-war consignment to the 2021 sale is a 1933 Lagonda 16/80 2-liter, with coachwork by Vanden Plas, estimate €110,000 – 140,000, a rare survivor as one of only 12 commissioned by Lagonda with bodywork by foremost coachbuilders Vanden Plas.

Paris Retromobile Week Auctions 2021

Classic Car Auctions

The traditional Paris Rétromobile Week was postponed from February to early June 2021. The traditional auctions in early February in Paris are expected to take place. Artcurial already announced a further auction for early June during the postponed Rétromoble week 2021.

Bonhams: Les Grandes Marques à Paris Sale online-only from 3 to 10 March 2021.
Artcurial: La Parisienne (in partnership with Rétromobile) on 5 February 2021. (Rétromobile Sale on 4 June 2021)
RM Sotheby’s: Paris Auction live auction on 13 February 2021, followed by an online-only, time-based sale.