Market Intelligence
Chef and bill, excellent
The Retromobile auctions in Paris featured a diverse menu of cars, with five notable purchases including a 1928 Lancia Lambda Passo Lungo Torpedo for €92,000, an unfinished Delahaye 135 Coach for €32,200, a 1959 Citroen DS19 Prestige for €74,750, a 1987 Ferrari 328 GTB for €59,600, and a Citroen AMI 6 for just €7,152. With over 40% of cars sold below the six-figure threshold, the auctions showcased a rich selection of vehicles for collectors and enthusiasts.
Even at auctions, just as in some luxury restaurants, you have to understand the menu to come out happy.
In Paris, those who made these five purchases, leaping from one auction to another of the three by Retromobile, without being tempted by the Jaguar D-Type and Bugatti 55, spent their money well. This five-course tasting menu has one constant: five-digit prices:
1928 Lancia Lambda Passo Lungo Torpedo: lot 229 at Bonhams had a history that was traceable until the mid-1950s, after which it had always been hidden away in France. In 1984 it was purchased by Lancia expert Claude Grazmuller who kept it for 30 years until he sold it to its current owner. This latter had commissioned a restoration from the father-and-son experts of this model, Benwell. The car was therefore in perfect condition, with a fairly good history and this model is an entrance ticket for most major events around the continent. Price? €92,000.
