A gorgeous collection of cars at Bonhams’ Paris sale | GRR
Bonhams’ Les Grandes Marques du Monde à Paris sale opened its doors for the first time on Wednesday evening, giving us our first look at the array of beauty on display at the auction’s temporary home at the Grand Palais Éphémère.
We’ve already seen some of the headline lots. Michael Schumacher’s first Formula 1 car, the 7Up-liveried Jordan 191 that’s so often referred to as the most beautiful F1 car of all time. If you think it looks good in the pictures, having the opportunity to see it in person is something really rather special. Then, while it’s not for sale this week, the headline story at Bonhams was the reveal of Mario Andretti’s 1978 world championship-winning Lotus 79. That car will be up for sale at the Abu Dhabi sale in November, but seeing it here alongside the Schumacher car added another layer of panache to opening night.
As if that wasn't spectacular enough. The central feature on the auction floor consists of a Ferrari F40, a Porsche Carrera GT and a Pagani Huayra Roadster.
Elsewhere, there’s a vast collection of Porsche classics, from classics like the 356 and 930, through to 933s and the headlining Carrera GT, estimated to fetch somewhere in the region of €1.4million-€1.8million. It’s difficult to miss the vibrant green Lamborghini Islero S Coupe, while the presence of a Lagonda Taraf and a Zagato Mostro Coupe split opinions among our team.
In short, the Bonhams auction here in Paris has plenty of interesting, divisive and downright beautiful cars in attendance, and there are bound to be some very happy collectors heading home when the hammer falls for the final time.