Racer’s £8m car collection being sold with no reserve

How many cars?!

We think we’re lucky to have one or two classics – so just imagine having a collection that numbers almost 100. The mind boggles.

And then to be selling them, all at once, and each and every one with no reserve? Mind boggled all over again.

The owner in question is Marcel Petitjean, and his entire classic car collection is going under the hammer with RM Sotheby’s at its online-only European Sale between 3-11 June 2020, where it is estimated the set’s total sale price could be as much as €9m (£8m) – even if the lots achieve ‘just’ the lower end of their guide prices, they’ll still rack up close to €7m (£6.2m).

It features cars from the 1950s through to the ’90s, and with such a mouth-watering selection we’re struggling to not get overwhelmed.

So here’s a rundown of the 20 lots from this group predicted to attract the highest bids – then it’s time to get saving.

The man behind the machines

First, who is this lucky collector?

Marcel Petitjean, a former racing driver based in Strasbourg, France, lovingly established his collection over the last half century, with the intention of creating a car museum in which the exhibits were grouped by both marque and by country of origin.

All the cars have been dry stored and might need recommissioning for road use.

But, remember: all are heading to auction without reserve. Here’s the top 20.

20. 1963 Jaguar E-type Series 1 3.8-Litre Fixed Head Coupé (est: €80-110,000)

No self-respecting classic car collection would be without a Jaguar E-type – and this early example looks very presentable.

Its demure black paint with matching, black-leather-trimmed cabin makes a rather discreet, but no less desirable, classic.

1963 Jaguar E-type Series 1 3.8-Litre Fixed Head Coupé (cont.)

It is coming to auction having been part of the Petitjean collection for 34 years.

And it is an original right-hand-drive car, which you might not expect from a multi-car garage assembled in France.

19. 1971 Lamborghini Jamara 400GT (est: €80-120,000)

Not every car collection has one of these, however. But then just 177 400GTs were ever built, making this one of the rarest of all Lamborghinis.

Penned by Marcello Gandini at Bertone, though, it’s no surprise that this dashing classic is a serious head-turner.

1971 Lamborghini Jamara 400GT (cont.)

Bought by Mr Petitjean in 2010, and in French ownership since 1990, it is now looking for its next home.

And it has covered just 53,704km in its 49 years.

18. 1991 Lamborghini Diablo (est: €100-120,000)

Sticking with Lamborghini but fast-forwarding 20 years, we get to this Superfly Yellow stunner.

Your eyeballs won’t be singed from behind the wheel, thankfully, due to its black-leather interior.

1991 Lamborghini Diablo (cont.)

What its winning bidder will get is a Diablo that’s covered just 42,432km and will be sold with its original manuals and service book.

It’s been a cosseted member of La Collection Petitjean since 2009 and is one of eight Lamborghinis in this sale, all of which are different models.

17. 1971 Alpine-Renault A110 1600 S (est: €100-120,000)

Be still our beating hearts – this sweet consignment from Mr Petitjean’s homeland certainly has us tempted.

What’s more, it comes with a report courtesy of Alpine-Renault historian Gilles Vallerian.

1971 Alpine-Renault A110 1600 S (cont.)

With just three owners from new and having spent the last four decades in the Petitjean stable, this is a very original example, both its body and interior as they left the factory.

Plus, it has the optional four-point rollcage and fog lamps.

16. 1972 Jaguar E-type Series 3 V12 Roadster (est: €100-120,000)

Nine years younger, fitted with a V12 and offering the full wind-in-your-hair experience, the second E-type in this top 20 is quite a different proposition from the first.

And when it gets a new keeper, that could lead to possibly its first trip outside France.

1972 Jaguar E-type Series 3 V12 Roadster (cont.)

Other than being made in the UK, of course. But after it rolled off the production line it was delivered new to France – and stayed there.

After 42 years with the same owner – and still with its original engine and in its original colours – hopefully it will soon be making a new custodian smile.

15. 1968 Fiat Dino Spider (est: €90-130,000)

Here’s another real rarity – more than 1000 of these were made, but not many more!

This Pininfarina-penned drop-top really is a very striking looking classic and this car’s odometer shows just 51,488km.

1968 Fiat Dino Spider (cont.)

Chassis number 135AS 0000926, this ’68 Fiat Dino Spider also boasts the more desirable interior with a wooden fascia.

It is anticipated to change hands for €90-130,000 this June.

14. 1971 Lamborghini Espada Series II (est: €120-140,000)

That eye-catching silhouette can mean only one thing – it’s an Espada.

And after 23 years in Mr Petitjean’s collection, now it is about to cross the block in search of its next lucky keeper.

1971 Lamborghini Espada Series II (cont.)

The Series II broke cover in 1970 at the Brussels Motor Show and much of the changes were inside – check out this car’s dashboard, steering wheel and centre console.

This Espada is described as ‘highly original’ and ‘exceptionally well preserved’.

13. 1966 Maserati Mistral 3.7 Coupé (est: €120-150,000)

The first Maserati in our list really pops in this wonderful – and, of course, original – Rosso Rubino hue.

It might have been repainted back in 2008, but that work seems to have stood the test of time.

1966 Maserati Mistral 3.7 Coupé (cont.)

Going even further back, in 1966 it was delivered new to Paris and is thought to have spent much of its life in France.

Like what you see? It might be offered without reserve, but it is thought it will fetch in the region of €120-150,000.

12. 1962 Maserati 3500GTi (est: €130-150,000)

The 3500GT was Maserati’s first road car to be built in large numbers, the GTi model, as here, introduced a few years into its run.

Its sophisticated shape was crafted by Carrozzeria Touring and it is still an absolute stunner today.

1962 Maserati 3500GTi (cont.)

This is one of just 441 3500GTis built, and it still wears its original paint colour and red-leather interior.

Delivered new to Milan, it has since completed fewer than 51,000km and has been a static member of the Petitjean collection since 1996.

11. 1966 Aston Martin DB6 (est: €130-160,000)

This London-delivered factory right-hand-drive DB6 will leave the Petitjean collection after more than 30 years when it heads to RM Sotheby’s sale.

Maybe it will return to the UK – it stayed there from new until the mid-’80s.

1966 Aston Martin DB6 (cont.)

Mr Petitjean bought it from Heidelberg, Germany, in 1986, and today it still has originally optioned items including its automatic transmission, chrome wheels, heated rear ’screen and power-operated aerial.

And it’ll be sold with a DB6 workshop manual and parts catalogue.

10. 1981 Aston Martin V8 Volante (est: €150-180,000)

We zip into our top 10 with this nearly 40-year-old convertible that, amazingly, has done just 17,621 miles.

And unlike many of the cars in this sale, it isn’t a long-term resident of La Collection Petitjean.

1981 Aston Martin V8 Volante (cont.)

In fact, the auction house says that its history is unknown prior to 2018, when it popped up in France, its engine in bits.

Check the accompanying paperwork and invoices show that more than €13,000 was spent reassembling the engine, before it was sold to Mr Petitjean.

9. 1970 Maserati Ghibli 4.7 Spyder Conversion (est: €150-180,000)

All is not as it first seems with this good-looking drop-top. Why? Because it left the factory as a coupé in March 1970, painted Blu Sera with a black interior.

It’s clear that things have changed since then – but it’s not known precisely when.

1970 Maserati Ghibli 4.7 Spyder Conversion (cont.)

What is known is that it entered this collection back in 1996, so has been lovingly cared for ever since.

And with just 125 original Ghibli Spyders produced, it comes as no surprise that some, such as this, were given a careful chop later in life.

With a six-figure pre-sale estimate, it doesn’t seem to have devastated values, either.

8. 1969 Maserati Ghibli 4.7 Coupé (est: €150-180,000)

This Ghibli, however, is exactly how it left the factory.

But more than that, it is almost exactly as it was when it joined the Petitjean collection over three decades ago.

1969 Maserati Ghibli 4.7 Coupé (cont.)

Mr Petitjean bought this then-64,000km car in June 1982 and it has since travelled fewer than 40km, having been in static storage.

Giugiaro’s lines look lovely in Blue Medio, twinned with a black-leather interior, but we reckon it would look a whole load better from the driving seat on a European road trip.

7. 1955 Aston Martin DB2/4 Drophead Coupé (est: €150-200,000)

Just 102 examples of this version of Aston Martin’s DB2/4 were built and with its Blue Haze finish and red-leather interior, this is certainly a distinctive specimen.

And it has been part of this remarkable collection since 1985.

1955 Aston Martin DB2/4 Drophead Coupé (cont.)

However, under the bonnet it deviates from standard. You’ll not find the original 2.9-litre ‘six’, but an aluminium 3.6-litre ‘six’ from the DB4.

It’s not known when this change happened, although it was before Mr Petitjean acquired it. And while it isn’t stock, it does produce nearly double the output of the regular DB2/4 unit, which isn’t to be sniffed at!

6. 1970 Lamborghini Islero 400GTS (est: €200-250,000)

Only 100 of the updated ‘S’ or ‘GTS’ versions of the Islero were produced and although, like the rest of the classic cars in this sale, it will need some TLC before returning to the road, we reckon this will more than reward your efforts.

Not only is it a low-volume Lamborghini, it has done fewer than 9000km.

1970 Lamborghini Islero 400GTS (cont.)

It’s been part of this group for 24 years, and we’d not be surprised if that means the glorious roar from its 4.0-litre V12 has seldom been heard in that time.

Let’s hope its winning bidder rights that wrong.

5. 1971 De Tomaso Mangusta (est: €200-250,000)

We’re entering the top five in serious style with another Italian exotic, one of 250 believed to remain from the 401 built.

Once blue, this Giugiaro-styled, Ghia-bodied, Ford V8-engined stunner was bought by Mr Petitjean way back in 1978.

1971 De Tomaso Mangusta (cont.)

Jaw-dropping from any angle, one of the Mangusta’s party pieces is its two-piece, centre-hinged rear bonnet – with both halves open it looks like it has gullwing doors.

This car is said to be highly original and goes to auction with its original tool roll and jack, but with a €200-250,000 estimate, despite being offered with no reserve, you’re going to need deep pockets to call this one your own.

4. 1979 Lamborghini Countach LP400 S (est: €400-500,000)

You’ll have noticed a jump in the expected selling price for this lot compared to the last as we get towards the sharp end of this list.

But then this is a Countach, Lamborghini’s groundbreaking supercar. And, according to RM Sotheby’s, ‘this is one of the most original’. 

1979 Lamborghini Countach LP400 S (cont.)

Not that there were many to start with, this car being one of 50 first-series LP400 S models to roll off the production line.

And with a mere 13,800km on its odometer, after nearly 33 years in storage, surely it is ready to roar again?

3. 1968 Lamborghini Miura P400 (est: €700-800,000)

It’s pure eye-candy as we get into the top three, with the unmistakeable lines of the Lamborghini Miura.

This is the 57th built and when new was delivered to Paris. It’s thought it appeared in the film La Leçon Particulière, as well as been road tested in magazines Moteurs and Auto-Journal.

1968 Lamborghini Miura P400 (cont.)

It has a correct but not matching-numbers 4.0-litre V12 and entered this collection in 1979.

The Miura was the fastest production car of its day and let’s hope when the (virtual) gavel falls, this early example will go to an appreciative home.

2. 1964 Porsche 904 GTS (est: €700-900,000)

After a series of Italian classics, it’s over to Germany for the car expected to achieve the second-highest price when this collection is auctioned in June, this Porsche sneaking ahead of the Miura due to the upper end of its pre-sale estimate being €100k more.

This car’s first owner used it in hillclimbs, while its second added more of the same and rallies to the car’s competition history.

1964 Porsche 904 GTS (cont.)

An accident in 1966 that caused front-end damage led to the sale of this car to its third owner who got it without a gearbox or engine, and it passed through several more owners, including American racing-car driver Bruce Canepa, before it joined the Petitjean collection.

So not only is this a big-ticket car in this sale, it could be its next owner’s big ticket to historic race meetings, with the appropriate preparation. This car’s future could be very exciting indeed.

1. 1958 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster (est: €800,000-1.1m)

And here it is, the car from Mr Petitjean’s collection expected to achieve the highest price at RM Sotheby’s European Sale on 3-11 June 2020.

This Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster is one of fewer than 30 such cars specified with Rudge wheels from new.

Still finding it hard to believe a classic of this calibre is being auctioned with no reserve? Us, too…

1958 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster (cont.)

Love your classics to come with bulging history files? You won’t be disappointed here.

Its first keeper was Jacques Dembiermont who lived in Paris and he clearly was a serious car fan with great taste and the pockets to enjoy his passion – other models to have passed through his hands include a 300SL Gullwing, Ferraris including a 250MM Berlinetta, as well as a Lamborghini Miura P400 SV.

Several owners later it was bought by Marcel Petitjean, in October 1976.

1958 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster (cont.)

Seeing as this is the last car, let’s indulge ourselves with an extra slide and drink in its gorgeous curves.

A few years after joining this collection, the 300SL was repainted and its chrome given TLC, and earlier in its life its engine was swapped for another of the correct type. It will be sold with its original hardtop and soft-top.

For further details on these and the other cars crossing the (virtual) block at RM Sotheby’s online European Sale on 3-11 June, click here.

We’ll just keep dreaming.