All of the major European auction houses have set up shop in Paris this week to coincide with the annual Retromobile Salon classic motoring-fest. Goodwood's auction partners Bonhams are no exception – and have yet again trumped everyone by location, scattering their auction selection across the floor of no less than Paris's Grand Palais.
FEB 09th 2017
Gallery: Bonhams in the Grand Palais – sneak preview
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And GRR were invited for a look around the collection before today's (February 9th) auction takes place, joining potential buyers for a few glasses of champagne below the astonishing metal structure that is the Grand Palais's ceiling.
Under the bright lights sat some incredible machinery. From a brilliant red Audi Quattro Sport (£280,000-£340,000) to a stunning green Aston Martin Ulster (£1.4-£1.5million) via a brilliant red/orange Mercedes-Benz 300 SL 'Gullwing' coupe (£940,000-£1,100,000), the cars are as dazzling this year as the brilliant spotlights that pick them out.
As with all Bonhams auctions, it's not just about the unobtainable extravagant. You'll find everything from utilitarian legends (Series 1 Land Rover) to the faintly bizarre (CAP Fiat 500 Scoiatollo). There's something on offer for everyone.
For us we'll take one of the three stunning rally cars sat near the auction stand itself – a Lancia Stratos (£300,000-£380,000), a Group 4 Ferrari 308 GTB (£170,000-£280,000) and an ex-Jean Ragnotti Group B Renault 5 Turbo (£170,000-£260,000). What a track-testing trio that would be!
Bonhams' auction takes place tonight just after GRR leaves Retromobile, but don't worry, we will have all the details of the sale as soon as it's over.
Photography by Tom Shaxson.
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