Paris, France, 30 January 2026 - Bonhams|Cars returned to Paris' Rétromobile Week, with a sale on 30 January, held for the first time, at the historic and prestigious Polo de Paris. The Polo de Paris sale featured 66 collector cars from revered classics to modern supercars including a major single-owner collection, alongside a selection of automobilia. Interest was truly international, with more than 500 bidders registering from over 30 countries, in person in the crowded sale room, via the Bonhams app, and by telephone, with buyers hailing from 16 countries from as far as Europe, to the U.S. and the Middle East.
Overall, the sale achieved a total of €9 million with an industry-leading 85% sell through rate.
Gabriel Rapetti, Senior specialist at Bonhams|Cars, commented: "We were delighted to host the sale at the Polo de Paris, one of the world's oldest and most prestigious polo clubs. It provided a beautiful setting in which to present our exceptional cars. After three days of previews at the Polo de Paris, the auction room was filled with energy, and we are happy with the result. We were also very pleased to collaborate locally with Como Mercedes-Benz Paris, who established a dedicated shuttle service between Rétromobile and the Polo de Paris for Bonhams' clients."
Headlining the auction was the magnificent Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing, a matching-numbers example that retains its original chassis, body and engine. It sold for €1,299,500. Recorded in Eric Lemoine's 300 SL Register, this car left the factory on 9th August 1955 and was delivered new on 25th August 1955 in New York City. Acquired by its current Parisian owner approximately fifteen years ago, the car has since been closely monitored.
Bonhams|Cars was delighted to present Les Belles Endormies, a collection assembled by Pierre Strinati, a pioneer car enthusiast who started buying cars in the 1950s. The collection of 11 collector cars, sold for a total of €1,987,075. The selection included a matching numbers example of a 1934 Mercedes-Benz 500K Coupé, one of just 18 W29 coupés ever built, with coachwork by Vanvooren that sold for €862,500. Also included was a 1938 Delage D8-120 Cabriolet with coachwork by Henri Chapron that sold for €460,000 - far above its estimate of €250,000-350,000.
A beautifully original 1956 Mercedes-Benz 190 SL Roadster with Hardtop from the collection sold for €276,000 - three times its high estimate and a near world record for a Mercedes-Benz 190 SL Roadster. In less than a decade, Mr Strinati assembled a collection like few had done before him. He kept the cars he loved the most, many of which were offered in the Bonhams|Cars Paris sale with 100% sold.
Maximilien Gagnebin, Senior Specialist at Bonhams|Cars, commented: "This garage-find collection drew the attention of international collectors. These true "sleeping beauties" have remained hidden for decades and have never been presented to the public. Most were originally acquired by Mr. Strinati in the late 1950s and early 1960s, and their current state reflected the care of a single long-term owner. This year, we assembled an outstanding collection, and the enthusiastic response from attendees clearly reflected the strength of this selection."
Additional highlights of the sale included:
• 2022 Ford GT Carbon Series Coupé sold for €598,000
• 1993 Porsche 911 Type 964 Turbo 3.6 Coupé sold for €385,250
• 1962 Aston Martin DB4 'SS Engine' Series V Sports Saloon sold for €379,500
• 2006 Spyker C8 Spyder sold for €253,000
• 1938 Wanderer W25K Roadster sold for €253,000
The Bonhams|Cars team now looks forward to the next sales, taking place at the Goodwood Members Meeting on 19 April followed by Monaco at the Fairmont Hotel on 24 April. They are currently inviting consignments and can be contacted at [email protected].
(Press Release)
