By J.A. Ackley
Feb 11, 2025
|
Alfa Romeo,
Bentley,
Ferrari,
Porsche,
RM Sotheby's,
Porsche 928,
Bonhams,
Artcurial,
Rétromobile,
Bonhams | Cars,
Ferrari 250 LM,
Ferrari 550,
Alfa Romeo 2600,
Bentley R-Type Continental
Photography courtesy respective auction houses
What did we learn from the three auctions held in conjunction with Retromobile in Paris? Many traditional blue-chip cars continue to hold at estimated values–and some even sold a tad below them. However, not all segments of the collector market seem as ho-hum. Newer cars, i.e. those from the computer age, are continuing to see values increase. Here are six sales worth taking note of.
Exceeded Expectations
1964 Ferrari 250 LM by Scaglietti
RM Sotheby’s
Estimate: In excess of €25,000,000
Actual: €34,880,000
Plus/Minus: +€9,800,000 (+39.52%)
It’s tough to place a value on an iconic car (Ferrari 250 LM) that won an iconic race (24 Hours of Le Mans), but that’s what auctions do. This one well exceeded expectations.
2001 Ferrari 550 Barchetta Pininfarina
Artcurial
Estimate: €400,000-€600,000
Actual: €807,360
Plus/Minus: +€207,360 (+34.56%)
Rad era? C’mon, that’s so yesterday. The early 2000s seem to be the next hottest thing, especially with a Ferrari in a rare color (Grigio alloy) and in “near-new condition.”
1967 Alfa Romeo 2600 SZ
Artcurial
Estimate: €150,000-€200,000
Actual: €250,320
Plus/Minus: +€50,000 (+25.16%)
This is a bit of an off-the-radar piece. The 2600 was Alfa Romeo’s flagship car. However, this is the limited edition version, with the fastback coupe bodywork and a more powerful engine. Alfa Romeo only made 105 of them. The rarity and desirability of this example added up.
Missed Expectations
1954-55 Ferrari Tipo 555 “Super Squalo”
Bonhams | Cars
Estimate: €4,000,000-€6,000,000
Actual: €1,983,750
Plus/Minus: €2,016,250 (-50.41%)
As with the Ferrari 250 LM, how do you place a value on a race car? Big-name drivers help. Two Formula 1 champions–Mike Hawthorn and Nino Farina–competed in this car, which you’d think add a bunch to the sale price. Only two examples survive of this particular car, too. Nevertheless, it did sell for €2 million–it was obviously worth something, just not as much as estimated.
1987 Porsche 928 S4 Club Sport “Prototype”
RM Sotheby’s
Estimate: €250,000-$300,000
Actual: €143,750
Plus/Minus: €106,250 (-42.5%)
A Porsche prototype. An F1 driver connection with Derek Bell ownership. That didn’t seem to matter. It sold for just a bit over what Hagerty rates an S4 to sell for in No. 1 condition ($99,000).
1954 Bentley R-Type Continental Fastback Sports Saloon by H.J. Mulliner
RM Sotheby’s
Estimate: €1,800,000-€2,400,000
Actual: €1,265,000
Plus/Minus: €535,000 (-29.72%)
What does a Pebble Beach award-winning example fetch? Still quite a bit, just far from what was expected. Hagerty values a 1954 Bentley R-Type Continental with a 4.9-liter (this has a 4.6) for $2,750,000 in concours condition. Fair condition? $1.1 million.
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