Classic Car Auction Flea Market? Aguttes and Osenat Give it a Try

When it comes to French auctions, it’s easy to think of the big events like Retromobile or Monaco. But precisely because of that, if you dig just a little deeper, you’ll find real treasures hidden away in sales outside these major circuits — gems that would otherwise go unnoticed.
I firmly believe that the purpose of this space isn’t just to “sterilely” report results, but also to help us discover lesser-known auctions and cars that are no less interesting. That’s why this time I’ve chosen two small auctions — not in terms of quality, but in volume — Aguttes, which was held on 16 March in Paris, and Osenat, which organised its sale eight days later in Fontainebleau.

Both auctions showed similar trends compared to last year: Aguttes and Osenat increased the number of cars offered, with 106 and 70 respectively, achieving sales percentages of 67% and 73%. However, due to differences in car types each year, comparisons have limited value. Average prices illustrate this clearly: Aguttes fell from €86,000 to €40,500, and Osenat dropped from €38,000 to €31,100. The number of cars offered without reserve increased significantly — from 1 to 11 for Aguttes, and from 4 to 24 for Osenat.

Yet our focus on smaller auctions isn’t primarily about comparison, but rather about exploring a niche market of unusual and often accessible vehicles.
Starting from the top, both sales shared an interesting similarity: their top lot. Curiously, both featured a Ferrari 330 GT 2+2, albeit with significant differences. Osenat presented a dark grey 1964 Series I with red interior, while Aguttes offered a 1966 Series II originally dark green, now painted blue. Although the earlier Series I had rare accessories like a black-painted dashboard and Borrani wire wheels, the later model was more collectible. It had participated in the 1965 Paris Salon and subsequently served as the pace car for the 1966 Le Mans 24 Hours. After changing hands a few times, it ended up stored in a barn from the early 2000s until today.

1964 Ferrari 330 GT 2+2 sold for €189,600 ($205,000).

Osenat’s Ferrari had a different journey: sold new in Rome, exported to the U.S., then arriving in France in the early 2000s. Restored between 2005 and 2015 at €100,000, it has been with the current seller since 2016. Osenat estimated it at €200,000-250,000, but it sold slightly below that, at €189,600. Aguttes was unsure between the historic significance and the car’s less-than-ideal condition, setting a broad estimate of €120,000-220,000. The final sale at €200,676 validated their approach.

1966 Ferrari 330 GT 2+2 sold for €200,676 ($217,000).

Provenance mattered even more for Osenat’s second-highest-priced lot, a 1975 Panther De Ville, a car emblematic of the '70s trend of converting modern cars into faux classics. Built on a Jaguar XJ6 V12 chassis, styled after the Bugatti Royale, its price matched its extravagant appearance. This particular car was famously gifted by French pop star Sylvie Vartan to Johnny Hallyday. The celebrity provenance saw its estimated value of €55,000-65,000 soar to an impressive €158,400.

1975 Panther De Ville sold for €158,400 ($171,250).

At Aguttes it was an important Swiss collection of Citroen models that catalysed interest. The two most important lots were a 1986 Citroen BX 4TC and a 1984 Citroen Visa 1000 Pistes. Both were white with black interiors, models that are almost impossible to find today with one special feature. Immaculate. The BX had never been registered and had covered only 2833 km. The Visa was even better: it had also never been registered and the odometer had not exceeded 193 km.

1986 Citroën BX 4 TC sold for €107,700 ($116,500)

Estimated at €50,000-70,000, Visa closed perfectly in the middle at €60,020. For the BX the estimate was higher, € 100,000-150,000, but it too closed in the range at € 107,700. Needless to say, two records for the models. Interestingly, both were cars to be re-imported into Europe, so with duties that will eat into their prices.

1984 Citroën Visa 1000 Pistes sold for €60,200 ($65,000).

Aguttes nearly set another record with a 1974 Peugeot 504 Cabriolet V6. Sold in January 1975, it was among the first 100 produced, owned by the same individual from 1976 until 2023. In October 2023, it sold at auction for €46,440. Eighteen months later, with the same estimate (€40,000-60,000), it fetched €54,060, becoming the second most expensive 504 Cabriolet ever sold.

1974 Peugeot 504 Cabriolet V6 sold for €54,060 ($58,500).

Osenat, with lower average prices, offered some intriguing budget-friendly gems. For instance, the 1973 Peugeot 304 S Cabriolet by Pininfarina featured the sportier 'S' trim (80 hp vs. 70 hp). It required minor restoration, partially completed (clutch, transceiver, and shocks replaced). Estimated at €8,000-12,000, it sold precisely at the lower end, €8,400.

1973 Peugeot 304 S Cabriolet sold for €8,400 ($9,100).

Lastly, I would like to mention a 1973 Audi 100 Coupé S. Not a very well known car, which was overwhelmed by later models that had much more hype. Equipped with a 1900 cc 112 hp engine, it was a mid-high category car whose styling was inspired (without much secrecy) by the Italian GTs of the time. Precisely because it was produced before 1974, it was possible to register it for the prestigious Tour Auto. There are very few left in circulation and this one set a new model record: despite an estimate of €20,000-30,000 the 100 even managed to do better at €32,400, a sign that even away from the emblazoned Quattro (and later RS) the Audi brand is slowly gaining a foothold in collectors' garages. The best car price for the best around, no doubt.

1973 Audi 100 Coupé S sold for €15,000 ($16,250).