2023 RM Sotheby’s Paris Sale (McLaren Senna LM Announced)

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A rare 2020 McLaren Senna LM is the early lead car announced for the RM Sotheby’s Paris 2023 classic car auction during Retromobile Week.

2020 McLaren Senna LM on sale at RM Sotheby's Paris 2023 classic car auction
Culap © Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s

RM Sotheby’s announced several early highlights for its Paris 2023 classic car auction. The most valuable car is a rare 2020 McLaren Senna LM while several non-Ferrari Italian classics are also on offer including a 1969 Lamborghini Miura S to Jota Specification, a 1972 Iso Grifo Targa Series II, and 1970 Maserati Ghibli 4.7 Spyder by Ghia. Further cars include a 1982 Renault 5 Turbo Group 4 rally car and a restored 1951 Porsche 356 ‘Split-Window’ Coupé by Reutter.

RM Sotheby’s Paris 2023 Classic Car Auction

RM Sotheby’s Paris 2023 classic car auction during Rétromobile Week: on 1 February 2023 at a new venue at Salles du Carrousel du Louvre.

In 2022 and 2021, the RM Sotheby’s Paris sales were smaller auctions as Rétromobile week was either canceled or postponed. Previous RM Sotheby’s Paris results included:

  • 2020: earned €16.5 million, a sell-through rate of 75%.
  • 2019: earned €32.4 million, a sell-through rate of 79%.
  • 2018: earned €23,745,335, a fairly strong 83% sell-through rate.
  • 2017: earned €27,576,400 ($29,451,595) with a sell-through rate of 78%.

2020 Mclaren Senna LM

2020 McLaren Senna LM profile at RM Sotheby's Paris 2023 classic car auction
Culap © Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s

The early lead car announced for RM Sotheby’s tenth annual Paris classic car auction during Rétromobile Week 2023 is a rare 2020 McLaren Senna LM. Only 35 of these cars were produced through a joint collaboration between the McLaren Special Operations department and Lanzante Motorsport. The LM model went through a comprehensive series of modifications, including a power upgrade to 814 horsepower and extra venting by the front fenders.

The iconic Papaya orange livery pays homage to the McLaren F1 GTR that won at Le Mans in 1995, 25 years prior to the Senna LM’s launch. This example is presented in as-new condition with a mere 15 kilometers on the clock. These outstanding supercars rarely come to auction, and it is estimated at €1,400,000 – €1,600,000.

Italian Classic Cars for RM Sotheby’s Paris Sale 2023

1969 Lamborghini Miura S to Jota Specificationon sale at RM Sotheby's Paris 2023 classic car auction
Neil Fraser ©2022 Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s

Italian designers have penned some of the most beautiful cars ever produced, and the Paris sale already features some stunning examples. Details on the 1969 Lamborghini Miura S to Jota Specification are still sketchy other than it being presented in a very distinct orange bodywork.

The auction features a stunning 1972 Iso Grifo Targa Series II, which is one of only four open-topped examples to benefit from the more resolved second series styling. Delivered to the Sonntag dealership in Koblenz, it has resided in the current owner’s collection for more than 20 years (Estimate: €700,000 – €900,000).

Another car that is renowned for its crisp styling and modern lines is the 1970 Maserati Ghibli 4.7 Spyder by Ghia. Offered in fully restored condition and retaining its matching-numbers engine, this is an excellent example of one of Maserati’s most coveted models. This car is one of just 83 4.7-liter Ghibli Spyders constructed and is estimated to fetch between €675,000 – €750,000.

The early 1964 Lamborghini 350 GT by Touring is one of the great Italian gran turismos. The car offered benefits from a recent full restoration and is believed to be one of approximately 50 examples that were aluminum-bodied. It was Ferruccio Lamborghini’s first road car, and with 270 horsepower being driven through a five-speed manual gearbox, the 350 GT certainly packed a punch and took the fight to Ferrari (Estimate: €550,000 – €600,000).

Another fascinating example is the 1963 OSCA 1600 GT by Zagato. The final model produced by the Maserati brothers, just 128 examples were produced, with 98 featuring bodywork by Carrozzeria Zagato complete with signature “double-bubble” roof. This particular 1600 GT was campaigned in-period by first owner Alberto Luti, scoring a class win at the Coppa Belvedere hillclimb in 1963 (Estimate: €380,000 – €450,000).

Further Highlights Announced for RM Sotheby’s Paris 2023 Sale

1951 Porsche 356 'Split-Window' Coupé By Reutter on sale at RM Sotheby's Paris 2023 classic car auction
Loic Kernen ©2022 Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s

However, it is not just Italian marques starring in Paris, with a fine ex-Works 1982 Renault 5 Turbo Group 4 also being offered at the sale. This is a great example of Renault’s rally icon, which competed in Group 4 racing throughout the 1980s (Estimate: €350,000 – €400,000). Earlier Group B cars performed strongly at recent auction.

Always in demand, the 1964 Aston Martin DB5 is the quintessential British GT car of the 1960s. Offered with a British Heritage Certificate, the car is resplendent in ‘007’ specification in Silver Birch over black, and also boasts rare factory-fitted air conditioning. This stunning LHD example spent its early life in the USA and has more recently been in a private collection, it is estimated at €680,000 – €780,000.

Porsche is well represented at Paris with a delightful 1951 Porsche 356 ‘Split-Window’ Coupé by Reutter and a 1989 Porsche 911 Turbo ‘Flachbau’. The 356 is offered in restored condition and presents as a fine example of a “Model 51” variant of Porsche’s legendary sports car (Estimate: €450,000 – €550,000). The 911 Turbo ‘Flachbau’ is a fabulous slice of 1980s excess. This particular example is offered in astonishing condition, and with a mere 22,500 miles on the clock, it is undoubtedly one of the finest examples available on the market today. It is estimated at €190,000 – €240,000.

Paris Rétromobile Week Auctions 2023

Classic Car Auctions

The following three sales traditionally open the European classic car auction year during the Paris Rétromobile Week that is held from 1 to 5 February 2023 at Paris Expo, Porte de Versailles

  • Artcurial: Rétromobile Sale on 3 February 2023.
  • Bonhams: Les Grandes Marques à Paris Sale on 2 February 2023.
  • RM Sotheby’s: Paris Auction 1 February 2023 at Salles du Carrousel du Louvre.

Paris Rétromobile Auctions 2023 Results

Paris Rétromobile Auctions 2023 Pre-Sale Announcements

Previous Paris Rétromobile Week Auction Results