The Retromobile is the most prestigious classic car auction in Europe.  Car enthusiasts and collectors around the globe gather at Paris, France for this annual event. The event was a huge success, as it reeled in an amazing 9,789,958 Euros. This marked a 40% increase in sales compared to its previous years.

The event sold 78 classic vehicles including a 1929 Bugatti, 1973 Porsche, 1936 Mercedes Benz 500K Cabriolet and a 1926 Rolls-Royce which was pre-owned by Barbara Streisand.

However, the show was stolen by the Mercedes Benz S 1928. The Mercedes, which is regarded by some as the greatest sports car of the pre-war era, recorded the most expensive selling price at 2.3 million Euros or $3.5.

Jacques Saoutchik, one of the renowned coachbuilders in Paris, patterned the vehicle’s bodywork. Most prominent of which are the torpedo bodies, designed with a 680 chassis that gave the vehicle its sports car persona. The vehicle used light- weight materials to maximize the speed capacities of its 6.8 litre engine.  Later models of this class were used in Grand Prix racing.

Bonham’s, the organizers of the event, are making a strong plea to be a dominant player in the classic car auction market.  Apart from their annual Retromobile auctions in Europe, they also hold auction events in Scottsdale, Arizona. The success of the event will only add to their current prominence in the classic car auction market.

Sources:

Christie’s

GreatCars

SuperCars 

TopSpeed 

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