Archive
06/03/2021
How much are monsters worth? What about the little monsters?
The recent Artcurial sale in Paris confirmed that Group B, the pinnacle of the World Rally Championship in the 80s, is currently the coolest thing on the market. This article discusses the prices and history of some of the most iconic cars in Group B, including the Lancia Delta S4, Audi Quattro Sport, Peugeot 205 T16, and Renault 5 Turbo. The article also highlights how even the “street” versions of these cars are now objects of desire due to the regulations that required manufacturers to build road-going versions. The prices of these cars have exploded in recent years, and the article predicts that the road-going versions will soon break through the €500,000 barrier.
04/03/2021
Online RM Sotheby’s mixes things up
This article discusses the recent RM Sotheby's online auction, which featured cars from different regions with different currencies. Despite this, the auction had a healthy performance, with a 68.31% sales percentage and reaching 80% of the estimated value. The author attributes the success to the low estimates given to the models, as well as the volatile market for modern hypercars. The article highlights some of the cars sold at the auction and their prices, including a 2015 Porsche 918 Spider, a 1968 Ferrari 330 GTC, and a 1962 Mercedes-Benz 190SL Roadster.
01/03/2021
Who financed Ferrari?
The article discusses the impact of two legendary drivers, Tazio Nuvolari and Luigi Chinetti, on Enzo Ferrari's career.
27/02/2021
Ferrari returns to Le Mans
This article explores the value of Le Mans wins by analyzing the prices of Ferraris that have won the race in the past. The author notes that few victorious cars come onto the market, but when they do, they tend to command high prices due to the demand created by their victory. The article discusses some notable examples, including the 375 Plus, which sold for over $18 million, and the 250 GTO, which sold for over $48 million. The author concludes that even less famous cars can increase in value due to their Le Mans victory. The article also notes that Ferrari's return to Le Mans in 2023 will likely have a significant impact on the value of future winning cars.
22/02/2021
1947. Ferrari. At last!
This article recounts Enzo Ferrari's journey towards becoming a manufacturer and building his first car, the Ferrari 125. The Second World War proved to be an unexpected boost for Enzo's entrepreneurial ambitions.
18/02/2021
RM Paris. Few but good
The 2021 season of classic car auctions in Europe has started at a slower pace compared to the US. Despite the fewer cars on offer, average prices per car sold have increased to €322,000 compared to €300,000 one year ago. At RM's auction, only 57.50% of the cars on offer sold with a turnover of €7.65m, less than half of last year's result. However, the average price per car sold increased, and turnover rose to 61% of the estimated value on offer compared to 47% last year. The top lot was a 1971 Lamborghini Miura SV, selling for €2,423,750, followed by a 1993 Isdera Commendatore 112i, selling for €1,113,125. The article also mentions that the Countach's clear revaluation potential is worth keeping an eye on.
15/02/2021
815, a war machine
This article discusses the significance of Enzo Ferrari's departure from Alfa Romeo in 1938 and how it impacted his future career as a car manufacturer.
13/02/2021
What do they have in the garage?
The article follows the stories of three collectors - The Cautious, The Sober, and The Wealthy - as they each build a collection of cars purchased at auctions in 2021 with different budgets. The article explores the reasons behind their purchase decisions, in terms of the market, car use, and available events. The article also presents nine cars that were purchased by the collectors at various auctions, highlighting their unique features and historical significance.
11/02/2021
Europe. Great start… actually a good one for Artcurial in Paris
The recent auction at Artcurial Paris started off strong with 25 out of 26 lots sold and 107% of the estimated value reached, but the sale reversed with just one lot out of the next 13 sold. Despite this, the auction was still successful, with a total of €18.2 million in sales, a 14% decrease from last year but with 75% fewer cars. The Matra Simca MS670, which won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1972, was the highlight of the auction, selling for €6,907,200. A 1959 Aston Martin DB4 GT and a 1995 Ferrari 355 Challenge were also sold, but with mixed results. The auction followed a new trend of few, high-quality cars with reasonable reserves, resulting in a stratospheric average sale price of €700,692 per sale.
08/02/2021