Artcurial : LeMans Classic 2016
July 11, 2016 by ArtcurialCircuit des 24 Heures, Le Mans - Since 2010 Artcurial Motorcars has been attracting French and international collectors to the highly prestigious LeMans Classic, held on one of the most famous circuits in the world. The fourth edition of this biennial sale, taken by Maitre Herve Poulain, and aided by Matthieu Lamoure and Pierre Novikoff, realized 9,007,016€ / $9,907,718 with 73% selling, including the collectors' car section which accounted for 8,717,752€ / $9,589,567. A variety of cars chosen to appeal to visitors at this unmissable motoring racing event was on offer, including a 1977 Porsche factory competition client 935, a 1966 McLaren M1B and original posters for the film Le Mans by Lee H. Katzin starring Steve McQueen. The sale was held in a packed saleroom while the motor racing was taking place outside, and included 10 lots that sold for more than 200,000€, including three above 500,000€. 'Despite the glorious sunshine, our great friends the British collectors were sadly missing. Although the sales results reflected the effect of Brexit somewhat, we were delighted by the public's appetite for competition cars during the amazing display at LeMans Classic, evidence of the strength of passion for the automobile' - Matthieu Lamoure, Managing Director, Artcurial Motorcars. 'What a pleasure to come back every other year to a circuit that I know so well and love so much. It gave me enormous pleasure to conduct the sale with Matthieu who promotes collectors' cars with such passion' - Herve Poulain, Honorary Chairman, Artcurial. Sever hours into the sale, it was with great emotion that Maitre Herve Poulain brought the hammer down on lot 175. This was a 1977 Porsche 935 competition client factory car that had participated three times in the LeMans 24-Hour race. In exceptionally original condition, this car has been raced by great names including Herve Poulain himself, who competed in it at Le Mans in 1980. It was the second time that the car has come under the hammer of the auction house Artcurial's honorary chairman. This time the Porsche will set off on a new adventure, joining the collection of an American collector who paint 1.3M€ / $1.43M to acquire the car. Sports and racing cars were in the limelight both in the saleroom and on the track. Lot 109, a 1973 Porsche 911 Carrera 2.7-liter RS Touring, a highly sought-after model, fetched 476,800€ / $524,480 including premium. A wonderful example of Mercedes' flagship model and a 1960s icon, the 1961 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster confirmed its status as the one of the most desirable touring cars, selling for 953,600€ / $1,048,960.
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Telephone bidders played their part in the sale, adding to the excitement in the saleroom. Lot 125, a 1937 Bugatti Type 57 Ventoux Factory coach, attracted huge attention and sparked a bidding battle between two telephone bidders. This special pre-war car, in rare, original condition and with continuous history, was another glorious discovery by Artcurial Motorscars. It sold for double the pre-sale estimate, resulting 524,500€ / $576,950 including premium. The Le Mans Classic 2016 by Artcurial Motorcars also offered some more unusual collectors' vehicles such as the 1978 Peugeot J7 camping-car by Holidaycar that found a new owner for 21,500€ / $23,650 and the 1963 Citroen 2CV Sahara which fetched 79,900€ / $87,890. Enthusiasts for all things motoring-related gathered during the morning for the Automobilia sale that started at 11.00. Fans of motor-racing and film admired a 3-piece suit owned by the actor Steve McQueen. It sold above estimate for 10,400€ / $11,440 including premium. The second half of 2016 will feature three further sales. On 18 September Artcurial will present the contents of the Normandy Tank Museum in Catz, in the D-Dal sale. Then, on 9 October, a few miles from Paris, a collection of 80 American cars belonging to Andre Weber will be offered in a sale called On the Road. Finally, in November, Artcurial Motorcars will celebrate its 10th edition of the sale Automoibles sur les Champs.
