17 stunning classics on sale at Artcurial’s Paris auction

You’ll find everything from princely Minis to priceless Ferraris in Paris next week

Fancy a quick shopping trip to Paris? Swap designer threads for desirable treads at Artcurial’s Automobiles en Scène auction.

The prestigious sale takes place at the striking Théâtre du Rond-Point on Monday (17 June) and features 85 rare and storied cars, including several million-pound machines; if they all sell, they’ll make a whopping £18m.

We can’t afford most (alright, any) of them, but we do like looking anyway – so here’s our pick of the classics on offer.

1972 Dino 246 GTS

Estimate: €280-320k (£250-285k)

Kicking things off at the Paris sale is something not often seen in the realm of high-end car auctions: a completely original machine that’s never seen a restoration.

An early-‘70s example of the sculpted Dino in drop-top, 2.4-litre guise, the stunning Italian sports car spent the first 44 years of its life in the ownership of the same family, latterly stored but regularly maintained.

Fully original and authentic, it goes to auction with just 13,600 miles on the clock and an appealing patina to match.

1975 BMW 3.0L CSL

Estimate: €100-150k (£90-134k)

From one well-kept rarity to another, this 1975 Beemer is the ultimate prize for fans of race-bred coupés and bonkers body kits.

Developed to go Touring Car racing, just 429 of these 3-litre track attackers were built, including this completely original, unrestored example that’s been stabled with the same family for the past three decades.

Equipped with the unmissable and iconic ‘Batmobile’ aero upgrade, the 911 2.7 RS rival has seen scarce use over the years, something reflected in its low mileage and impeccable condition – not to mention that hefty upper estimate.

1997 Porsche 993 GT

Estimate: €900k-1.1m (£800-980k)

Those in Paris will find a plethora of Porsches on offer on Monday, from a 1967 911S SWB in Gulf colours to a 964 Carrera RS 3.8 that’s expected to fetch £891,000 (€1m).

The best of the Stuttgart machines, though, is this 993 GT – which comes, like many of the 911s, from the collection of Eric Coicaud

One of just 172 of the fearsome competition machines built for the road, it goes to auction complete with twin-turbocharged 3.6-litre race-bred engine and whopping great wing.

Regularly maintained and a striking picture in Grand Prix White, the real question is whether to store it or floor it.

1933 Bugatti Type 49 Cabriolet

Estimate: €300-400k (£265-355k)

From bright white to gleaming crimson, this Bugatti is a true coachbuilt rarity, its Type 49 chassis wrapped in a handsome faux-cabriolet shell.

Finished in the summer of 1933, the fetching French four-seater made its way first to Paris for a concours showing, before beginning a life of storied ownership that would see it stabled all over the country, owned by Canadian billionaires and marque enthusiasts alike.

Then, in 2002, a comprehensive restoration began, with the frame, bodywork and mechanicals all overhauled to produce a stunning machine with a fascinating heritage, and its original engine to boot. 

1953 Panhard X86 Berlinetta

Estimate: €100-150k (£90-134k)

Wrapped in dusty but bonny Berlinetta coachwork penned by Michelotti, this mid-century Panhard is a picture of compact sporting style – from its steel wheels and beauty rings to the moustache grille and subtle air intake.

Believed to be one of just four ever made – and only two still in existence – the X86 spent many years lost in a Milanese scrapyard, before being rescued and restored in 1979, when it received an engine upgrade and its natty blue paint job.

In need of a little TLC today after years of static storage, it's the perfect summer project for anyone with an eye on the Mille Miglia.

1964 Lotus Elan 26R Series 2

Estimate: €80-100k (£70-90k)

Prefer your pint-sized sports coupés to be British? Try this dashing example of the featherweight and fun Lotus Elan – one of just 97 examples built to 26R competition spec, complete with reinforced chassis, better brakes and a twin-cam engine good for some 150bhp.

Raced (and crashed) in Austria in its heyday, the sporty classic was more recently rebuilt and entered into a string of historic events, before its owner passed away.

Since rebuilt and repainted in its distinctive green and yellow Lotus livery, a good service should see it ready to take to the track once again. 

1961 Jaguar E-type 3.8 Roadster Flat-Floor

Estimate: €150-200k (£133-178k)

Comprehensively restored and sensitively upgraded with Weber carburettors, a Tremec five-speed gearbox and better front brakes, this early, flat-floor example of the iconic E-type might not be one for absolute purists, but it's undoubtedly a stunning thing – as the £178k (€200k) upper estimate suggests.

Delivered new to New York, laid up in England in the late '80s then restored in the '90s, the most recent overhaul took place after 2010 and left the beautiful British tourer in incredible condition – and it's only done 7000km since.

1953 Aston Martin DB2 Vantage

Estimate: €400-500k (£355-445k)

Sticking with the Brits, this next lot is a proper rarity: one of just 19 Aston Martin DB2 machines built to Vantage spec, complete with meatier engine and bigger carburettors.

Finished in 1953, this left-hand drive, drop-head example sold new to Hawaii in the green-on-beige colour scheme you see today, as refreshed during an exacting restoration in the new millennium.

Breathtaking, understated and running as well now as it ever did, there's little wonder Artcurial expects the classy classic to fetch at least £355k (€400k).

1968 Citroën DS21

Estimate: €165-200k (£145-178k)

Speaking of class, few cars cut a dash quite like the DS – at once sharp-edged, smooth and undeniably stylish.

This late-’60s example of the self-levelling 21 left the Chapron workshop clad in cabriolet bodywork and sold new to a customer in the south of France.

It then moved to Italy in 1989, where it would stay with the same owner for some 32 years, receiving excellent care that sees it go to auction in a thoroughly original, well-preserved state. Just the thing to celebrate Citroën’s centenary.

1939 Citroën Traction 11B cabriolet

Estimate: €130-180k (£115-160k)

Same marque, different era: as Citroën celebrates its centenary, it’s only fitting that a few of its greatest hits should head to auction in Paris – and this late-’30s Traction 11B is certainly one of those.

Elegant and imposing, this stunning example of the wide-bodied and evocative cabriolet somehow evaded requisition requests during WW2, its owner – a Mr Magnol – safely keeping the car until it passed in his will to collector André Trigano.

Trigano then had the French classic completely restored, both cosmetically and mechanically, and would retain it until 2016. Still in outstanding condition today, it remains a lesson in grace and grandeur.

1957 Mercedes-Benz 300SL roadster

Estimate: €980k-1.08m (£870-962k)

Keeping things thrilling, this next lot is about as beautiful as high-performance autobahn cruisers come.

The meatiest and mightiest of mid-century machines, the Mercedes-Benz 300SL also happened to be one the most gorgeous – and this restored example is up there with the best.

One of the first roadster variants built – losing those iconic Gullwing doors but retaining the race-bred, fuel-injected 3-litre engine and gaining a dose of practicality – it’s enjoyed a life of meticulous maintenance and little use, including a run of 38 years with the same careful owner.

Treated to a comprehensive €200,000 restoration after 2006, it crosses the block in near-perfect condition and with a price tag to match.

1975 Lancia Stratos HF

Estimate: €450-500k (£400-445k)

A rally-bred wedge of distinctive style and V6 performance, the lightweight Lancia Stratos remains a poster car for all things brilliant and bonkers about the ’70s.

Powered by the engine from a Dino, designed by Marcello Gandini and looking like nothing else of its time – except, of course, the Stratos Zero before it – this particular example of the Italian stage weapon remains almost entirely original and authentic, following a life spent largely in private collections. 

1963 Lancia Flaminia 3C Touring Convertible

Estimate: €160-200k (£142-178k)

Go back just a decade and Lancia cars looked altogether different, as this stunningly elegant Flaminia 3C can attest.

Up for grabs in Paris with an estimate of £142-178k (€160-200k), it's all smooth, long lines and subtle but stylish touches – which you can hardly say of the Stratos.

Stabled with the same owner from 1991 to 2016, the open-top stunner has seen regular use on the Continental roads it was designed to tour, racking up 80,000km on the 2.8-litre engine it’s had since new.

1974 Leyland Innocenti 1001 Mini Matic

Estimate: €15-20k (£13k-18k)

Minis might be lovely, but a pared-back £13k (€15k) compact classic, however nice, doesn’t quite feel like it fits in this present company. So why is this 1974 number, built under licence by Innocenti in Milan, in this list?

Well, because it sold new in Monaco to none other than Prince Rainier III, who used it regularly to zip around the principality – as did his son Prince Albert II, before lending it to the Monaco Automobile Museum, then offering it to his doctor.

Highly original from engine to interior, £13k doesn’t sound so bad for a once-royal motor, does it?

1959 Facel Vega HK500

Estimate: €120-160k (£106-142k)

Distinctive from grille to tail, the Facel Vega paired American power and style with a touch of French flair to create a heavyweight cruiser that certainly stood out.

In 1959, the upgraded HK500 replaced the FVS iteration. Fewer than 500 were built before production ceased three years later, with this champagne example from the first model year among them.

It goes for sale well-preserved, mechanically sound and in good condition, if perhaps in need of a little touch-up around the edges.

1991 Ferrari F40

Estimate: €1.1-1.3m (£980k-1.2m)

The startling Ferrari F40 enjoys iconic status even within the Italian firm’s enviable back catalogue – and if you’re in the market for one, this example’s pretty much as good as they come.

Equipped with its original, twin-turbo 2.9-litre V8 – the one that can catapult it from 0-60 in 4.1 secs and all the way to 200mph – it’s covered fewer than 7000km since it was delivered new to Italy and heads to auction in outstanding condition from a notable French collection. 

1965 Ferrari 275 GTB

Estimate: €1.9-2.3m (£1.7-2.05m)

The F40 isn’t the showstopping lot in Artcurial’s sale, though. That honour goes to another Ferrari – this breathtaking 275GTB.

Stunning lines from Pininfarina, incredible performance from a 3.3-litre Colombo V12 engine, fantastic handling from the race-bred suspension: the GTB had it all and is rightly the most iconic Ferrari grand tourer this side of a 250.

This particular example of the beautiful two-seater was delivered new in France, once belonged to the style director at Peugeot and was latterly stabled with renowned collector Jean-Pierre Slavic, who had it painstakingly restored from top to bottom

As a result, it will cross the block in unrivalled condition on Monday, hence the £2m (€2.3m) upper estimate. Guess we’ll have to settle for just looking after all.

Artcurial’s Automobiles en Scène auction takes place on Monday (17 May). More info here.