Bonhams|Cars returned to the historic nave of the Grand Palais in Paris with its sale Les Grandes Marques du Monde à Paris, held alongside the Rétromobile show on 6 February 2025. The 162-lot sale realised a total of 18 million euros, with close to 91 percent of lots sold. Over three days the event drew 10,000 visitors and presented 98 collector cars along with automobilia and motorcycles, attracting buyers from 18 countries, chiefly European, American and Asian.
Two rare Ferraris with distinguished histories were the star lots of the sale. Offered without reserve, the 1950 Ferrari 166 MM Barchetta Touring sold for 2.82 million euros and the 1955 Ferrari 555 Super Squalo reached 1.98 million euros.
Two pre-war Bugatti models highlighted the marque’s craftsmanship and engineering. The 1925 Bugatti Type 35 Grand Prix two-seater sold for 759,000 euros and the 1936 Bugatti Type 57 Cabriolet reached 391,000 euros.
One of the most notable surprises came from a collection of three classic Horch automobiles, which achieved exceptional results and far exceeded their estimates. The 1938 Horch 830 BL sold for 241,600 euros, 12 times its estimate; the 1936 Horch 851 Limousine sold for 345,000 euros, seven times its estimate; and the 1939 Horch 853A Sport Cabriolet sold for 414,000 euros, five times its estimate.
A KTM 690 Rally once owned by Cyril Després, winner in 2007 of the last true Paris-Dakar, drew admiration from enthusiasts. Estimated at 12,000 to 15,000 euros, it reached 51,750 euros.
(Press Release)
