2019 RM Sotheby's Paris Sale (Auction Preview)

A 2011 Ferrari SP30 and a 1987 Ferrari F40 LM are the lead cars for the RM Sotheby’s Paris 2019 classic car auction during Rétromobile week.

2011 Ferrari SP30 Front — 2011 Ferrari SP30 – Sami Sasso ©2018 Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s

The two top cars on offer in the RM Sotheby’s Paris Rétromobile week 2019 classic car auctions are very special Ferraris: a unique 2011 Ferrari SP30 and a 1987 Ferrari F40 LM that raced at Le Mans in 1995. Eight of the top 20 cars on offer are Ferraris and four are modern Bugattis. The 1935 Hispano-Suiza K6 Cabriolet and 1959 Lister-Jaguar Costin are very much in the spirit of Rétromobile week and no serious classic car auction is complete without a Mercedes Benz 300 SL Roadster.

RM Sotheby’s Paris Rétromobile Week Auction 2019

2017 Bugatti Chiron — Kevin Van Campenhout © Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s

RM Sotheby’s scheduled its sixth annual Paris sale during Rétromobile week for 6 February 2019 at Place Vauban in Paris, France.

In 2019, RM Sotheby’s earned more than €32.4 million with a sell-through rate of 79%.

In 2018, RM Sotheby’s earned €23,745,335 with a fairly strong 83% sell-through rate. In 2017, RM Sotheby’s achieved a gross sale total of €27,576,400 ($29,451,595) with a sell-through rate of 78%. In 2016, RM Sotheby’s grossed €19 million with a sell-through rate of 79%.

Top Cars at the RM Sotheby’s Paris 2019 Sale

At the top end of the collector car market, RM Sotheby’s is very much betting on newer cars at the Paris 2019 classic car auction. Of the 20 cars offered with pre-sale estimate exceeding a million dollar, no fewer than 11 were produced later than the mid-1980s and 8 are from the 21st century.

The following are the 20 cars with the highest pre-sale estimates for the RM Sotheby’s Paris 2019 sale:

—	Year	Car	Estimate in Euro (€)
1	2011	Ferrari SP30	Upon Request
2	1987	Ferrari F40 LM	4,500,000 – 5,500,000
3	1956	Porsche 550 RS Spyder by Wendler	3,800,000 – 4,300,000
4	1966	Ferrari 275 GTB/6C Alloy Berlinetta	3,000,000 – 3,300,000
5	2018	Bugatti Chiron	2,360,000 – 2,750,000
6	1959	BMW 507 Roadster Series II	2,000,000 – 2,200,000
7	2003	Ferrari Enzo	1,850,000 – 2,000,000
8	1996	Ferrari F50	1,700,000 – 1,900,000
9	2014	Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse	1,575,000 – 1,800,000
10	2012	Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport	1,500,000 – 1,700,000
11	1994	Bugatti EB110 Super Sport	1,300,000 – 1,800,000
12	1935	Hispano-Suiza K6 Cabriolet	1,300,000 – 1,500,000
13	1960	Ferrari 250 GT Cabriolet Series II	1,200,000 – 1,400,000
14	1955	OSCA MT4-2AD 1350	1,100,000 – 1,300,000
15	2015	Porsche 918 Spyder	950,000 – 1,100,000
16	1959	Lister-Jaguar Costin	900,000 – 1,100,000
17	2011	Ferrari 599 SA Aperta	925,000 – 1,050,000
18	1966	Shelby 427 Cobra	800,000 – 1,000,000
19	1957	Mercedes Benz 300 SL Roadster	800,000 – 1,000,000
20	2017	Ferrari F12tdf	825,000 – 950,000

Million-Dollar Ferraris at RM Sotheby’s Paris 2019 Sale

Eight Ferraris on offer at the RM Sotheby’s Paris 2019 sale are expected to achieve results above a million dollars. Somewhat surprisingly, especially during Rétromobile week, only two of the top Ferraris are from the classical 1960s period and none from the 1950s.

2011 Ferrari SP30

The only car offered without a pre-sale estimate at the RM Sotheby’s Paris 2019 classic car auction is the 2011 Ferrari SP30. This car is the first of around 40 cars Ferrari produced in its Special Projects section for special clients. These cars use a production chassis and drivetrains but the design is very much open to the buyer’s own dreams and desires.

The SP30 is based on the 599 GTO chassis with the exterior showing design elements of various other models including the 599 XX, 458 and F12tdf. The car has been driven only 110 km since new.

1987 Ferrari F40 LM

The extremely rare 1987 Ferrari F40 LM, chassis 74045, is likely to be the most-expensive car sold at the RM Sotheby’s Paris 2019 sale.

This car was originally used a a prototype car during the development of the F40 but converted by Michelotto in 1992 to LM specification. It was finally raced at the 1995 Le Mans 24 Hours race where it finished 12th. It also raced in the BPR Global GT series and is considered the most successful F40 LM racer. It is offered in the Le Mans racing livery of French blue with Pilot sponsoring.

In 2018, only five Ferrari F40s sold at auction with prices ranging from $1,050,000 to $1,710,000. The last Ferrari F40 in LM specification sold at RM Sotheby’s Monterey 2015 for $3,300,000 – that car was the last of 18 factory LM cars produced but never raced.

Other Top Ferraris at RM Sotheby’s Paris 2019

The 1966 Ferrari 275 GTB/6C Alloy Berlinetta by Scaglietti was the first of eight long-nose, six carburettor, torque-tube 275 GTBs produced with alloy bodywork. It is a matching-numbers car recently restored to its original color scheme of nero over beige.

The 2003 Ferrari Enzo has less than 8,4000 km on the clock. It was refinished in Rosso F1 2007 by Carrozzeria Zanazi. Other cosmetic changes to the exterior may hinder rather than help in its sale.

The 1996 Ferrari F50 retained its original Rosso Corso over Nero and is accompanied by its original books, hard roof, soft roof, roll hoops, fitted luggage set, flight case and Classiche Binder. It has a good 21,850 km on the clock.

The 1960 Ferrari 250 GT Cabriolet Series II was the 50th of 200 built. It has 66,000 km on the clock and only two owners since new, including single-family ownership of more than 50 years. The car retains its original interior.

The 2011 Ferrari 599 SA Aperta is one of only 80 built. It is finished in Nero over Nero and has done 3,600 km.

The 2017 Ferrari F12tdf is finished in Brunito paint (metallic brownish) over a tan interior. It has covered 2,600 km, which is a lot more than many of the other “investment” F12tdf cars that sold for over a million dollar at recent auctions.

Top Porsches at RM Sotheby’s Paris 2019

RM Sotheby’s is offering only two million-dollar Porsches at Paris 2019 but the 1956 Porsche 550 RS Spyder by Reuter is a good one. It is one of only 90 produced of Porsche’s first dedicated competition car.

This 1956 Porsche 550 RS Spyder was originally delivered to the Ecurie Nationale Belge racing team and was extensively raced in period by amongst others Gilberte Thirion – she drove the car to victory in the 1956 Course de Côte de la Roche-aux-Faucons hill climb. The 550 RS Spyder went on to contest the 1956 24 Hours of LeMans, 1957 1000 KM of Nürburgring and 13 additional races.

Although rare, three Porsche 550 Spyders were sold at auction during 2018, with a few more failing to reach reserver prices. Prices paid in 2018 ranged from $4,455,00 paid for 1955 Porsche 550 at Gooding Pebble Beach 2018 to a model record $5,170,000 paid for a 1958 Porsche 550A at Bonhams Scottsdale 2018. Artcurial is also offering one at the Paris Rétromobile 2019 sale.

The relatively low estimate for the 2016 Porsche 918 Spyder reflects the weaker market for these cars after the first couple offered at auction sold for strong prices. This car finished in liquid metal chrome blue and has 4,100 km on the clock. It was the 394th of 918 cars built.

Top Bugattis at RM Sotheby’s Paris 2019

Brown 2012 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport — Rafal Klos ©2018 Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s

As with the Ferraris, the Bugattis on offer at RM Sotheby’s Paris 2019 are mostly modern cars. Classic Bugattis will be on offer in large numbers during the Rétromobile auction week from Bonhams and especially Artcurial.

RM Sotheby’s is offering a full house of modern Bugattis at the Paris 2019 sale:

2017 Chiron, estimate €2.360.000 – €2.750.000 ($2,700,000 – $3,100,000) — Dirk De Jager © Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s

The 2017 Bugatti Chiron finished in two-tone Nocturne and Bugatti Light Blue over Beluga Black and Bugatti Light Blue has 1,800 km on the clock. The lower estimate is a million euro lower than the model-record €3,323,750 ($4,088,212) paid a the RM Sotheby’s Paris 2018 sale. No Chiron has sold since: bidding for a delivery-mileage, US-specification Chiron ran out of steam at $2.5 million at the Bonhams Scottsdale 2019 auction.

2014 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse — Simone Caldirola © 2018 Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s

Two Bugatti Veyrons will be on offer at RM Sotheby’s Paris 2019: a 2014 Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse finished in the unique two-tone Porsche Carrera White and Blue with 2,750 km on the clock, and a 2012 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport finished in a fascinating (sic) specification of Chocolate Brown with black exterior accents over a Cognac leather interior.

1994 Bugatti EB110 Super Sport — Peter Singhof © Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s

Although RM Sotheby’s sold a 2015 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse for $2,420,00 at Monaco 2018, Veyrons generally struggled to find buyers in 2018, including during Monterey Week when six Veyrons failed to sell.

The 1994 Bugatti EB110 SS is one of only 38 produced and has covered only 907 km since new. Bugattis from the 1990s are not that desirable with only three sold thus far for more than a million dollar at public auction. Bidding for the two EB110 GTs on offer at Scottsdale 2019 stopped well short of even $800,000.

Other Million-Dollar Cars at RM Sotheby’s Paris 2019

1959 BMW 507 Roadster Series II — © Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s

The other million-dollar cars on offer at RM Sotheby’s Paris 2019 are classics much more in the spirit of Rétromobile. The 1959 BMW 507 Roadster Series II is one of only 252 built and the only one delivered new to Mozambique. It is thus a rare late production car but another one (Series I) is on offer at Bonhams the same week. A Series II sold only post-hammer for $2,175,000 at RM Sotheby’s Arizona 2019.

Red 1957 Mercedes Benz 300 SL Roadster — Tim Scott ©2018 Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s

Five Mercedes Benz 300 SL cars are on offer at the various Paris 2019 sales following seven at Scottsdale 2019, where only Herbert von Karajan’s Gullwing achieved a decent price. It’s a buyers market and the estimates for the 300 SLs at Paris reflect this, as well as the absence of any exceptional features. The 1957 Mercedes Benz 300 SL Roadster at RM Sotheby’s retained its original engine, gearbox and differential. It had just three owners, including single ownership for 44 years. It might be a good buy.

The 1935 Hispano-Suiza K6 Cabriolet by Brandone wears rare elegant coachwork by Etienne Brandone. It is the only pre-war million-dollar car on offer at RM Sotheby’s Paris 2019.

The 1955 OSCA MT4-2AD 1350 by Morelli is one of 72 built and raced extensively in period. The 1959 Lister-Jaguar Costin was extensively raced including Le Mans in 1959 as a works car.

The 1966 Shelby 427 Cobra is the only American car at the Paris 2019 auctions with a million dollar potential. However, prices for Cobras have been weaker at recent auctions with sellers often preferring to hang on to the cars rather than accepting lower offers.

2019 RM Sotheby’s Paris Sale (Auction Preview)