Last week (February 2), Bonhams held a sale to fulfil the dreams of many a classic car and motorcycle collector with an exceptional event held at La Halle Freyssinet in Paris.
In total, around 140 cars and bikes went under the hammer - except the sale resembled more of a drive-through. There were a full three private collections of note offered and the final sales total was €7.2m.
A wonderful French-made 1935 Delage D8-105S streamlined coupé was one of the highlights of the sale. Having been carefully restored to its original best, the coupé had been displayed at the renowned Concorso D'Eleganza Ville D'Este.
The only one of its kind left in the world, it was snapped up for €322,000 by a telephone bidder. Likewise another French classic - a Darracq Flying Fifteen rear-entrance tonneau from 1905, achieved €178,250.
 The 1961 Aston Martin DB4GT Coupe |
For those with eyes only for the Italian giant Ferrari, there was something to make their mouths water too: a 1959 Ferrari 250 GT Pininfarina coupé, from a well-known European collection, realised €241,500. Ferrari collectors might like to know that we have a Ferrari Dino coupé with a rare combination of factory options available for sale right now.
However, the clear top lot was a 1961 Aston Martin DB4GT coupé which sold for just over €1m ($1.33m).
"We are very pleased with the sale, and I thought the drive-through of the motor cars was a welcome spectacle." commented James Knight, Group Head of Bonhams Motoring Department, after the auction.
"It was well attended, and the bidding was often fierce, not only from the floor but also from the balcony overlooking the auditorium where the café and lounge were situated. In particular, we are thrilled to have achieved such an excellent result for the Aston Martin DB4GT."
