Artcurial's 1972 Le Mans-winning Matra MS 670 stole the headlines in February, changing hands for €6,907,200 in Paris (est. €4-7.5m). Graham Hill and Henri Pescarolo steered chassis 670-01 to Matra's first victory at the French classic, the car subsequently retained by the Lagardère Group after its competition career ended in 1973.
Aston Martin DB4GT – © Kevin Van Campenhout
An unregistered 1988 Audi Sport Quattro S1 smashed its €1-1.3m estimate, selling for €2,016,600 and setting a new record for a rally car at auction. Aston Martin success from the 'So British' collection included a 1959 DB4GT with a replacement engine and left-hand drive conversion at €1,358,800 (est. €1.6-2.4m); a Short-Chassis Volante that was exhibited at the 1965 Los Angeles Motor Show fetched €1,158,600 (est. €1.2-1.6m); and a 1965 DB5 Vantage with Paris Motor Show history went for €810,560 (est. €600-800k).
Ferrari 275 GTB/4 – Mathieu Heurtault © Gooding & Co
Gooding & Company achieved a perfect 100% sell-through rate for its single-owner 9-car European online auction where the top three comprised a recently-restored 1961 Aston Martin DB4GT at £2,750,000 (est. £2-2.5m); a 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 with Ferrari Classiche certification took a mid-estimate £1,870,000; and a 1963 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster with a replacement engine made £935,000 (estimate £900k-1.2m).
Isdera Commendatore 112i – © RM Sotheby's
A unique Isdera Commendatore 112i attracted strong bidding at RM Sotheby's Paris sale, swiftly passing its €400-600k estimate – finding a new home at €1,113,125. The only one of its kind ever built, the 10,500km 112i featured a 6-litre Mercedes-Benz V12 giving 200 mph performance, and was offered direct from Isdera after a number of years in private hands.
Porsche 918 Spyder – Remi Dargegen ©2020 Courtesy of RM Sotheby's
Seven cars from a Swiss Porsche collection went under the hammer at RM's online only auction, headed by a 918 Spyder that sold for CHF 1,001,000 (est. CHF 975m-1.1m). Finished in Liquid Chrome Blue Metallic over Mocha leather, the 918 had covered fewer than 5,500km with just one owner from new.
Bugatti Type 57S – © Bonhams
Bonhams offered the ex-Robert Ropner/Bill Turnbull 1934 Bugatti Type 57S without reserve at its London sale; guided at £5,000,000 – 7,000,000 it drew a winning bid of £4,047,000. Chassis 57503, with four-seater Grand Routier coachwork, had been owned by Turnbull for 50 years and was nearing the end of a long-term restoration when he passed away in 2019.
Full February results here:
