Beyond the Spotlight: What We Missed at the 2024 International Auctions
28 December 2024 7 min read 8 images
Photo credit: Aguttes, Bonhams, H&H, Iconic Auctioneers, Osenat, Sotheby’s
And so, we’ve reached the end of this year with our monitoring of International Auctions. But what did we miss? In the second half of the year, I spotted some truly appetizing pieces in smaller events—here are their stories.
While still in the middle of summer, a pair of Ford Pumas caught my interest. Compared to a standard Ford Puma, the ones offered by H&H on July 24 and by CCA on June 17 were rare Racing versions, a limited series of 500 units, featuring the 1.7 Zetec SE engine boosted from 125 bhp to 155 bhp with revised suspension. Available exclusively in blue with specific multi-spoke wheels, examples 174 and 321 had nothing particularly remarkable about them. The strange thing, however, was that both had been abandoned in garages and were promoted as “barn finds”. I believe these are the first barn finds of cars built after 2000. Still, this didn’t deter bidders, who appreciated the “Indiana Jones spirit” and pushed bids up to £11,700 and £11,250.
In August, Iconic presented another special car. At first glance, it looked like a regular 2004 Audi A6 Allroad, one of many. Then, however, the details began not to match: dual exhaust pipes, a dark green shade not originally available, and Fine Nappa leather in Cricket Beige from Audi Exclusive inside. Gradually, we realized this was an extraordinary car: a very rare Allroad 4.2 V8, specially ordered by Prince Karim Aga Khan IV, the creator of the famous Costa Smeralda, with very low mileage—just 26,500 miles. This model isn’t yet a collector's item, and in fact, the record for any A6 barely exceeds £10,000, but this unique example smashed records, selling for £30,375.
Speaking of VIPs and cars, what about Jean Paul Belmondo's vehicle? In the ‘60s and ‘70s, "Bebel" (his nickname) probably drove exotic cars more often than he changed girlfriends, but over the years, his taste in cars became more modest. In 2013, he purchased a Renault Twingo 1.2 16V with which he covered 31,000 km, and it was still registered in his name. Osenat handled the sale, offering it at their November 8 auction. Estimated at €25,000-30,000, it sold for €30,000, aligning with similar sales—Roger Moore’s Smart (3,000 km) sold for €31,000 in Monaco this year. Thinking about it, it seems quite reasonable!
During the same October weekend, two cars deserved recognition. The first was a 1959 Fiat-OSCA 1500 Aerodynamica Berlinetta with transatlantic styling. By the late ‘50s, the jet age was at its peak, and Bertone decided that, after the famous BAT series, it was time to “shake up” the audience with a smaller car. Only two examples were made, and this was the only one equipped with the powerful OSCA 1500 engine (from the Maserati brothers), which, despite claiming 90 bhp, produced 140 bhp after restoration. It wasn’t by chance that Bonhams offered it on October 4 in Newport, Rhode Island, hosted in a museum run by one of the world’s leading transatlantic styling experts. The estimate of $400,000-500,000 was hit at $401,000.
The next day featured the (unsuccessful) sale of a 1948 Maserati A6 GCS 2000 Monofaro. I wanted to “reward” Aguttes for their boldness: very few houses organize auctions outside their home countries, and those that do are industry giants. Yet, the small French company went to Brussels during the Zoute GP weekend. Why mention a car that didn’t sell? For one, it had an incredible pedigree: ex-works car, ex-Fangio, ex-Rome GP. However, just across the Channel, another A6 GCS 2000 Monofaro with the same chassis number (2007/2010) has been for sale for over a year at half the €800,000-1,200,000 estimate given by Aguttes. Which one is real? How can it be proven? Unsold, for obvious reasons.
Aguttes redeemed itself by selling “Jules” — not a car, but a perfume! Legend has it that in 1981, a playboy named Thierry de Montcorgé, after a presumably boozy dinner, decided to participate in the grueling Paris-Dakar rally with a Rolls-Royce. Christian Dior sponsored him to promote their new perfume “Jules”. Soon, the Rolls-Royce Corniche was transformed into a Frankenstein: Toyota Land Cruiser base, Chevrolet V8 engine, with only the bodywork remaining British. After decades of obscurity, it was auctioned in Paris on December 1, selling for €596,420.
At the same time, Bonhams auctioned a mysterious Volkswagen 211L in Germany. Little is known about this prototype: not its production year nor any official documents. It was reportedly gifted to the seller’s father for a favor to a Wolfsburg executive. Judging by its design and finishes, I estimate it was built between 1972 and 1974, though this is speculation. Offered online from November 27 to December 4, it surpassed its €5,000-10,000 estimate, selling for €16,800.
The final lot wasn’t a car but a piece of memorabilia we all dream of owning. Cars and cinema often go hand in hand, and Steve McQueen’s relationship with his cars is legendary. Sotheby’s December 6 auction featured his TAG Heuer Monaco watch, worn during Le Mans. I don’t understand watches, but even I would’ve loved this piece of automotive history. Estimated at $500,000-1,000,000, it sold for $1,440,000.
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