Ex-Robert Redford Porsche Stars In Bonhams Grandes Marques à Paris Sale

The last of the famous Porsche ‘giant killer’ racing cars

The 904 was a mid-engined, fibreglass-bodied GT racer which garnered sports-car racing success, notably in the Targa Florio, and even picked up a podium place in the Monte Carlo Rally. Originally owned by Steve Earle, founder of the Monterey Historic Races at Laguna Seca, this GTS was campaigned by subsequent owner Steve Berg at prominent North American venues including Laguna Seca, before it was later acquired by Redford, who kept it for nearly a decade.

2015 Ferrari LaFerrari, estimate €2,000,000 – 2,500,000

The 904 lines up with a select gathering of classic and contemporary supercars representing great automotive names. One of the highlights is a 2015 Ferrari LaFerrari, one of only 499 examples of the F-1 inspired hybrid Special edition hypercar from Maranello, which is in pole position, with an estimate of €2,000,000 – 2,500,000.

The Formula 1 and GT-inspired model was described by the Modena manufacturer as the ‘most ambitious’ Ferrari. It was the first production car to be equipped with the F1-derived HY-KERS hybrid system. Its electric motor and 6.3-litre V12 engine combination, with a total power output of 950hp, delivers a sub-three-seconds acceleration from 0-100km/h and a top speed of more than 350km/h. This car, finished in yellow over black interior, has covered fewer than 930km from new and is offered by its second owner.

1996 Bugatti EB110 GT Coupé, estimate €1,100,000 – 1,300,000

Another Italian in Paris is a 1996 Bugatti EB110 GT Coupé, estimate €1,100,000 – 1,300,000. The first new Bugatti to be produced since 1956 was the brainchild of Romano Artioli, who revived the brand, was designed by Marcello Gandini and built by hand in Campogalliano in Italy’s ‘motor valley’.

Despite competition from contemporary rivals such as the McLaren F1 and Jaguar XJ220, the EB110 set four world speed records, including for the fastest series production sports car. On the road its 3.5-litre V12 engine fed by four turbochargers promised a top speed of 340km/h. Only 95 GT examples were produced. The car offered has had three owners from new, covering a total of 10,000kms.

Les Grandes Marques à Paris Sale will offer its largest array yet of collectors’ motor cars, spanning more than 100 years of motoring excellence and history. Included is a stunning collection of veteran motor cars offered from single-family ownership of more than 120 years. The sale is also renowned for presenting the finest pre-war motor cars and the 2022 edition continues this tradition.

‘Le Patron’ 1938 Type 57C Special Coupé, estimate €1,600,000 – 2,000,000

Arguably the most special of the golden age supercar marque Bugatti, is a 1938 Type 57C Special Coupé, estimate €1,600,000 – 2,000,000. Known as ‘Le Patron’ it was used by Ettore Bugatti himself, as well as factory drivers Jean-Pierre Wimille and Robert Benoist before the Second World War and afterwards by Bugatti’s General Manager Pierre Marco.

‘Le Patron’ was also a development car testing new ideas and components for twenty years and so has many unique features, including its bespoke coachwork (believed to be the last designed by Ettore’s son Jean) and a highly developed supercharged engine. This significant and completely original car has had only a handful of private collector custodians since it left its factory ownership and is offered by one of Europe’s foremost private collectors who has owned the car for the last decade.

Lining up with the Bugatti is another supercharged powered marvel of the 1930s, a 1934 Mercedes-Benz 380K Cabriolet A, estimate €1,200,000 – 1,600,000. Designed as a luxurious long-distance touring car, the Sindelfingen 380K was the predecessor to the mighty 500 K and 540 K models. In total just 16 Cabriolet A variants were produced over two years.

1921 Hispano-Suiza H6B Torpedo, estimate €300,000 – 400,000

The Dolleschel Collection presents an array of great automotive names of the pre-war period, including Delauney-Belleville, Panhard and Hispano-Suiza. The latter is represented by four examples, led by a time-warp’ 1921 Hispano-Suiza H6B Torpedo, estimate €300,000 – 400,000, with its original Duvivier coachwork and interior as commissioned by its first owner, Francophile New Yorker John Jay Ide, the great-great-grandson of U.S. diplomat John Jay, the first justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.

1902 Panhard & Levassor Type A2 7HP Tonneau à entrée par l’arrière, estimate €300,000 – 360,000

A further highlight from this important collection is a _1902 Panhard & Levassor Type A2 7HP Tonneau à entrée par l’arrière, estimate €300,000 – 360,000_. A remarkably authentic example and one of the best survivors of its genre, retaining its original matching numbers, coachwork and even leather trim work, this car has successfully participated in the London to Brighton Run with its custodian.

More highlights

Les Grandes Marques à Paris Sale

The 2022 auction moves to a new venue – the Grand Palais Ephémère, a new exhibition pavilion on the Champs de Mars hosting Grand Palais events while the original is undergoing major renovations.

The sale will be held as a traditional live auction on Thursday 3 February, with bids accepted from clients in the room (respecting social distancing and all local COVID-related guidelines).

The sale will also be available on the Bonhams App, which provides registered bidders the opportunity to bid in real time online via Bonhams.com while watching the auctioneer and videos of cars on offer. Absentee and telephone bids are also encouraged.

The catalogue for Les Grandes Marques à Paris Sale is now online and can be viewed here: https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/27526/

Pre-sale viewing will take place at the Grand Palais Ephémère on Wednesday 2 February 09.00 to 17.30 and on Thursday 3 February from 09.00, with the automobilia sale at 11.00 and motor cars at 14.00.

Contact: eurocars@bonhams.com for further details.