A 1913 Panhard & Levassor X19 roadster has demolished its estimate at an auction of Prince Albert II of Monaco's classic car collection in France (July 26).
 The Panhard & Levassor X19 retained its original body |
The vehicle sold for €81,300 ($99,790), 132.3% up on its €35,000 high estimate, due in large part to the number of original parts it retained - a key point for car collectors.
It came to the auction with its original body, wooden steering wheel, and controls.
The oldest of the leading French marques, Panhard & Levassor is famed for its luxury cars.
"This Panhard will delight enthusiasts of pre-1914 cars, both in the aesthetic sense as well as its technicality. The engine's powerful enough to easily cruise in the streets or to participate in rallies," said the auction house prior to the sale.
The car was previously owned by noted collector René Giordano.
The result follows the solid sale of a 1910 Panhard & Levassor in the UK last month, which made £22,000, 10% up on its £20,000 high estimate.
Another standout lot was a 1983 Mercedes Benz 500, which sold for €117,500, 370% up on its €25,000 high valuation.
The prince put 38 vehicles up for auction in an attempt to condense his collection. Many of the remaining 104 can be seen at the prince's car museum in the principality.
A second world war 1942 Dodge 4x4 command car, which had been expected to achieve €20,000-30,000, almost doubled its high estimate, selling for €58,800.
The HAGI Top 50 Index, the Historic Auto Group's price index of leading classic cars, grew by 10.33% during the first half of 2012.
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