Two Porsches with Le Mans racing history — a 907 Works and a 911 Carrera RSR — are the top cars on sale at the Artcurial Paris Rétromobile 2022 auction.
For a change, Artcurial is leading with two racing Porsches at the annual Paris classic car auction during Rétromobile Week 2022. The more expensive car is the 1968 Porsche 907, estimate €4,000,000 to €6,000,000, that participated in Le Mans three times and finished first in class 1971. The second car is the 1968 Porsche 911 Carrera RSR 3.0, estimate €1,800,000 to €2,400,000, that was extensively raced in period by Gelo Racing including two appearances at Le Mans. The 2011 Peugeot 908 HDi V8 was the final 908 to win a World Endurance Championship race. Two classic Bugattis are on sale: a 1935 Bugatti Type 57 a stunning “Aérolithe” replica body and the more authentic 1926 Bugatti Type 37A ex-Jacques Dufilho. The 1908 Lorraine-Dietrich Type FM 6,4L Course 28/35cv is a very early race car that spent most of its life in Argentina.
Artcurial Paris Rétromobile Sale 2022
The traditional Rétromobile show in Paris was postponed for the second consecutive year from the usual early February date to mid-March 2022. Artcurial moved its traditional Paris classic car auctions to 18, 19, and 20 March 2022 while RM Sotheby’s and Bonhams maintained the early February sales. Artcurial plans to offer around 170 cars and 30 motorcycles on three auction days.
In 2021, Artcurial renamed its February sale to “La Parisienne” and earned a good €18 million ($22 million). The top result was the 1972 Matra MS 670, winner of the 1972 Le Mans 24 Hour Race, sold for a marque record €5,756,525 (and €6,907,200 / $8,305,735 was due once VAT and all charges were added.)
Artcurial Motorcars earned €23 million ($25 million) at its Paris Rétromobile 2020 sale. The sell-through rate was 70% of all lots.
Top Cars on Offer at Artcurial Paris Rétromobile 2022
The following are the 12 most expensive cars on offer in the Artcurial Paris Rétromobile 2022 classic car auction:
| Year | Car | Estimate (€) | |
| 1 | 1968 | Porsche 907 Works | 4,000,000 – 6,000,000 |
| 2 | 1974 | Porsche 911 Carrera RSR 3.0L | 1,800,000 – 2,400,000 |
| 3 | 2011 | Peugeot 908 HDi V8 | 1,800,000 – 2,400,000 |
| 4 | 1935 | Bugatti Type 57, Carrosserie replique Aerolithe | 1,500,000 – 3,000,000 |
| 5 | 2020 | McLaren Elva | 1,500,000 – 2,000,000 |
| 6 | 1965 | Alfa Romeo Giulia TZ | 1,200,000 – 1,400,000 |
| 7 | 1926 | Bugatti 37A | 900,000 – 1,200,000 |
| 8 | 1950 | Gordini Type 18S | 800,000 – 1,600,000 |
| 9 | 1908 | Lorraine-Dietrich Type FM 6.4 L Course | 800,000 – 1,200,000 |
| 10 | 1957 | Bardini 750 Internazionale Saponetta | 600,000 – 900,000 |
| 11 | 1963 | Aston Martin DB5 by Touring | 600,000 – 800,000 |
| 12 | 1954 | Vega 54-Prototype V par Facel | 500,000 – 800,000 |
Le Mans Racing Porsches on Sale at Artcurial Paris 2022
The two top cars on offer in the Artcurial Paris Rétromobile 2022 sale are Porsches with Le Mans racing experience: a 1968 Porsche 907 Werks and a 1974 Porsche 911 Carrera RSR 3.0L from the collection of gentleman driver Ernst Schuster who has owned both racing cars for nearly 40 years.
The 1968 Porsche 907, chassis 907-031, estimate €4,000,000 to €6,000,000, is a highly authentic example of the 907 with exceptional racing provenance. After a superb 4th place finish in the Nürburgring 1000 kms in 1968 as a works entry, the car took part three times at Le Mans in the 24 Hour race between 1970 and 1972. It finished 7th overall but 1st in class in the 1971 race driven by Mattli and Brun. It had several further first in class finishes and even overall victories in lesser races. Restored by the best specialists, the car is eligible for all the biggest historic events.
The 1968 Porsche 911 Carrera RSR 3.0, estimate €1,800,000 to €2,400,000, has also enjoyed a successful career through Gelo Racing in major endurance events (Le Mans 24 Hours, Nürburgring 1000 km), driven by amongst others Neuhaus, Stommelen, Barth, Fitzpatrick, and Hezemans. It failed to finish the Le Mans races in 1974 and 1975 but had high placings in many prestigious races including winner in the GT category in 1974 in both 1000 km races at Nürburgring and Paul Ricard, and overall victories in lesser races.
Bugattis at Artcurial Paris Rétromobile Sale 2022
It is almost compulsory for Artcurial to offer classic Bugattis at the annual Rétromobile sale and two interesting cars are on offer in 2022:
The 1935 Bugatti Type 57, carrosserie réplique “Aérolithe”, estimate €1,500,000 to €3,000,000, certainly looks the part but it is unclear how buyers will value the replica body, as is reflected in the wide estimate. (Earlier estimates were below a million.) This car used an authentic 1935 Type 57 chassis but the bodywork is a 2008 replica of the original Aérolithe show car that preceded the famed Atlantic models. The original Aérolithe was lost without a trace during the Second World War. The quality of the workmanship is unquestioned but ultimately a replica remains a replica.
More authentic are the 1938 Bugatti Type 57C Special Coupé, also known as ‘Le Patron’ as it was used by Ettore Bugatti himself, which is on offer at Bonhams Paris 2022 and the 1926 Bugatti Type 37A ex-Jacques Dufilho, estimate €900,000 to €1,200,000, on offer at Artcurial. The Type 37A is known in Bugatti circles as the “Dufilho 37” having been owned by the famous actor between 1957 and 1982. It comes with provenance, authenticity, prestige, and a unique, transparent history, without having been subjected to the rigors of racing.
Further Million-Dollar Cars on Sale
Some of the other million-dollar cars on offer in the Artcurial Paris Rétromobile 2022 classic car auction include:
The 2011 Peugeot 908 HDi V8, chassis 908-07, estimate €1,800,000 to €2,400,000, was the final version of the 908. Its victory at the 6 Hours of Zhuhai (driven by Sébastien Bourdais and Anthony Davidson) was the last race for the 908 as Peugeot withdrew from World Endurance Championship racing.
The 2020 McLaren Elva is one of just 149 examples built. This supercar is a mechanical masterpiece designed for pure speed, its aerodynamic form inspired directly by F1 technology. The Elva allows two people to experience the sensations of an F1 single-seater on the open road. This Elva has only 10 kilometers on the clock, which could leave some buyers with a hefty additional VAT bill!
The 1965 Alfa Romeo Giulia TZ is one of just 112 produced. It is a well-preserved and authentic example that has been meticulously maintained and is eligible for all the best historic events.
The 1908 Lorraine-Dietrich Type FM 6,4L Course 28/35cv, estimate €800,000 to €1,200,000, was sold new to Argentina where its history is largely unknown until it was discovered in a barn in the 1990s and fully restored.
Paris Rétromobile Week Auctions 2022
Classic Car Auctions
The traditional Paris Rétromobile Week was postponed from early February to 16 – 20 March 2022. The Artcurial auction was postponed too but currently, Bonhams and RM Sotheby’s are maintaining the early February dates.
- Bonhams: Les Grandes Marques à Paris Sale on 3 February 2022.
- Artcurial: Rétromobile Sale on 18 – 20 March 2022.
- RM Sotheby’s: Paris Auction 2 February 2022.
Paris Auctions 2022 Results
- Artcurial Paris Rétromobile 2022 Sale — Auction Results
- RM Sotheby’s Paris 2022 Sale — Auction Results
- Bonhams Paris 2022 Sale – Auction Results
Paris Auctions 2022 Previews
- Artcurial Paris Rétromobile 2022 Classic Car Auction (Sale Preview)
- Bonhams Paris 2022 Classic Car Auction (Sale Preview)
- RM Sotheby’s Paris 2022 Classic Car Auction (Sale Preview)
Paris Auctions 2022 Announcements
- Artcurial: Early Highlights (ex-Fangio Gordini, Peugeot 908)
- Artcurial: Ferrari Supercars (F40, F50, Enzo, LaFerrari)
- Bonhams: Early Highlights (Bugatti Type 57C, LaFerrari, Porsche 904)
- Bonhams: Ex-Schumacher Cars (Tesla & AMG Estate)
- Bonhams: German Racing Sedans (Audi Nardo Speed Record Car)
- RM Sotheby’s: Early Highlights (Ferrari 550 GTC)
- RM Sotheby’s: Petitjean Ferrari Collection (288 GTO, 275 GT/4)
Previous Paris Rétromobile Week Auction Results
- 2021 Artcurial Parisienne Sale Results (Rétromobile was cancelled in 2021)
- 2020 Paris Auction Results: Artcurial, Bonhams, RM Sotheby’s
- 2019 Paris Auction: Top 20 Results, Artcurial, Bonhams, RM Sotheby’s
- 2018 Paris Auction Results: General Overview, Artcurial, Bonhams, RM Sotheby’s
- 2017 Paris Auction Results: Artcurial, Bonhams, RM Sotheby’s
- 2016 Paris Auction Results: Artcurial, RM Sotheby’s, Bonhams, 1957 Ferrari 335 Sport
- 2015 Paris Auction Results: Results Overview, Artcurial, Bonhams, RM Auctions
- Results of the 2014 Paris Classic Car Auctions
