2020 Artcurial Paris Rétromobile Sale (Highlights Announcement)

A 1929 Mercedes-Benz 710 SS Sport Tourer is the top car thus far announced for the Artcurial Rétromobile 2020 classic car auction.

1929 Mercedes-Benz 710 SS Sport Tourer by Fernandez & Darrin — © Alex Penfold / Courtesy of Artcurial

Artuciral announced several top cars for its tenth annual Paris Rétromoble classic auction in February 2020. The lead car is a 1929 Mercedes-Benz 710 SS Sport Tourer by Fernandez & Darrin (estimate €6 to €8 million). This elegant pre-war super sportscar will be joined by several cars with Le Mans participation history including a class-winning 1965 Ferrari 275 GTB, a 1936 Delahaye 135 Special, and a 1959 DB HBR4. The Artcurial Rétromobile 2020 sale will also include a double race-winning 1983 Ferrari 126 C3 Formula 1 car.

Top Cars Announced for Artcurial Paris Rétromobile 2020 Auction

Starring in this 10th edition of the official Retromobile sale will be a 1929 Mercedes-Benz 710 SS Sport Tourer by Fernandez & Darrin, estimate €6,000,000 – €8,000,000. The car was delivered new as a rolling chassis in October 1929 to the marque importer in New York. From there it was sent to renowned US coachbuilder «Fernandez & Darin», to emerge with a stunning four-door “Sport Tourer” body with wraparound wings and sleek profile that dispensed with the running board. Between 1929 and 1935, just 110 examples of the SS were built.

1936 Delahaye 135 Spécial — © Artcurial Motorcars

Another iconic pre-war model on offer will be the 1936 Delahaye 135S, chassis n°46625, estimate €800,000 – €1,200,000. One of France’s premier marques in the 1930s, Delahaye was committed to racing successfully at the highest level and this car is one of just 16 competition 135S examples built by the marque. In 1937 it took part in the Le Mans 24 Hours. With such racing provenance, this rare car is highly eligible for historic events such as the Grand Prix Historique de Monaco, Goodwood Revival, and the Mille Miglia.

The 1965 Ferrari 275 GTB #6785, estimate €2,200,000 – €2,800,000, delivered new to full race spec with 6 carburetors, has an impressive racing provenance. The car took part in over 40 international races between 1965 and 1968, including rally, track and hillclimb events. It featured on the cover of the Ferrari Yearbook in 1966, having won the GT class in the Monza 1000km that year. The car also competed in the European hillclimb championship with rounds at Mont Ventoux, Ollon-Villars and Cesana Sestriere, and the Rallye Solitude Lyon Charbonnière.

This competition 275 GTB has been preserved in Swedish ownership for the last two decades and is offered with fully documented history.

Also boasting Le Mans history is the 1959 DB HBR4, known as “Le Monstre”, estimate €140,000 – €180,000. Chassis 1110 was bought new by Jacques Rey who won the Index of Performance in the 1959 Tour de France Automobile in this car. His team-mate, André Guilhardin, then modified and lowered the body by 11cm which increased the top speed of this extraordinary looking machine to an astonishing 190 km/h. With its new body, the car participated in the 1961 Le Mans 24 Hours, finishing 20th overall and 2nd in the Index of Energy Efficiency. Recently restored and well known in DB circles, this unique French race car would be welcome at all the most prestigious events today.

1967 Ford Mustang GT Coupé Hardtop — © DALMAS SIPA

Johnny Hallyday never made a secret of his love for fine automobiles and owned a superb collection of machines. He acquired this Ford Mustang GT Coupé Hardtop in 1967, estimate €150,000 – €300,000, racing it the same year for the Écurie Ford France with Henri Chemin, Director of Communications for Ford France. In June 1967 he drove it to 2nd place in the Coupe ACIF at Monthléry, and in August of the same year, he also took part in the famous Mont Dore hillclimb.

1983 Ferrari 126 C3 #068 — © DPPI / Courtesy of Artcurial

Also lining up in the 2020 Retromovile sale will be the F1 1983 Ferrari 126 C3 single-seater, estimate €600,000 – €800,000, from the prestigious Manoir de l’Automobile collection in Lohéac. It was entered by the Scuderia Ferrari in the 1983 World Championship and driven by Patrick Tambay and René Arnoux. Arnot raced this car to victory in both the German and the Dutch Grand Prix that year. Ferrari dominated the 1983 season with the 126 C2B and 126 C3, winning the Constructors Championship. This car may turn out quite a bargain – a 1982 Ferrari 126 C2, in chich Tambay achieved his first Formula 1 victory, sold for $2,143,750 at the RM Sotheby’s Abu Dhabi 2019 sale.

Other entries announced include a collection of nine Lamborghini featuring iconic models with extra star quality thanks to their previous owners: the 1977 Lamborghini Countach LP400 «Periscopio» was delivered new to Rod Stewart, and the 2001 Diablo used to belong to former F1 driver Olivier Panis.