MERCEDES-BENZ AUCTIONED BY BONHAMS IN AID OF PARIS CHARITY FOR POST-TRAUMA RESEARCH

 

The 1969 Mercedes-Benz 280SL Convertible with hardtop, offered without reserve. Estimate €80,000 – 120,000

A 1969 Mercedes-Benz 280SL Convertible will go under the hammer at Bonhams 4 February Grand Palais sale. The proceeds will be donated to Parisian charity, Fondation de l’Assistance Publique – Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), a foundation dedicated to supporting post-trauma research.

The generous donor, Jim Byrnes – an Australian citizen of French descent and Chairman of BMT Restoration Inc. – selected the charity to support those affected by the terrorist attacks that took place in Paris last year.

“There is a gift in giving,” said Mr. Byrnes. “Combining my love of classic cars with this donation to a worthy cause, I hope that in some small way we will be able to help the people who need it most following this atrocity.”

Philip Kantor, Bonhams European Head of Motoring, said: “Following the events in Paris on 13th November, people around the world have showed their solidarity with France by supporting Parisian hospitals. Mr. Byrnes is showing such generosity, having approached Bonhams to auction his 1969 Mercedes-Benz 280SL Convertible in support of post-trauma research. The motor car is a wonderful and timely addition to the Grand Palais sale.”

In 1969, the Mercedes-Benz 280 SL Convertible was one of the only automobiles to combine the performance of a sports car and the comfort of a sitting room. The 280 SL’s ‘user friendly’ nature broadened its appeal beyond the traditional sports car-enthusiast market, leading many celebrities and film stars to purchase the model. Entered at no reserve, the Mercedes is estimated at €80,000-100,000.

Funded by private donations, the AP-HP Foundation, chaired by Martin Hirsch, aims to provide resources for research projects, support clinical research programmes for medical teams and paramedics, and speed up the development of innovative therapeutic approaches. The charity also encourages partner projects with universities, as well as the French Institute of Health and Medical Research, for both French and international medical research. Half of France’s clinical research is carried out in AP-HP hospitals, with more than 3000 research projects currently under way.

Since 13th November, the AP-HP have been called on 24/7, taking in more than 900 people, including those that have suffered severe psychological trauma. The AP-HP Foundation recently launched a donation website, which can be found at: https://soutenir.fondation-recherche-aphp.fr/b/mon-don

Bonhams Grand Palais Sale takes place in Paris on 4 February. For further information visit: https://www.bonhams.com/departments/MOT-CAR/

Catalogue Now Online: Automobilia, Motos de collection et Automobiles d’exception au Grand Palais – Paris, 4 Feb 2016

LANCIA AURELIA PROTOTYPE OFFERED AT BONHAMS GRAND PALAIS

The oldest surviving Lancia Aurelia B24 Spider, a rare factory prototype, will be offered at Bonhams 4 February Grand Palais Sale, estimated at €900,000-1,300,000.

In the post-war era, the first cars to emerge needed to be stylish, exciting, and full of ‘La Dolce Vita’. The 1950 launch of the Lancia Aurelia provided this beautifully.
The first production car ever to use a V-6 engine, the powerful and revolutionary Aurelia was a masterpiece of Italian design and engineering. In its two years of manufacture, just 240 cars were built. This makes the motor car offered at Bonhams sale – the oldest surviving Lancia Aurelia B24 Spider, chassis ‘B24S1002’ – incredibly rare.

Philip Kantor, Bonhams European Head of Motoring, said: “A rare factory prototype, the motor car offered was used as the display car for the 1955 motor show in both Brussels and Geneva. Offered from long term private ownership, the Aurelia boasts a continuous history and is fully restored to original specification.”
Fast-forward twenty years and the Italian motoring powerhouse brought to life the Lancia Stratos. Vastly different to its 1950s predecessor, the Stratos boasted the signature, geometric styling popular of the decade, coupled with speeds of up to 225 km/h.

A limited production ‘homologation special’, the Lancia Stratos is historically significant as the first car from a major manufacturer conceived specifically for rallying – it was the spearhead of the brand’s international rally campaign in the 1970s. The production Stratos of 1972 retained the striking ‘wedge’ styling of its forbear, but employed the powerful Ferrari Dino 2.4-litre V6 engine. Finished in orange with tan alcantara interior, the highly original 1975 Lancia Stratos HF Stradale Coupé offered at Bonhams sale is offered at €350,000-450,000.

Bonhams Grand Palais Sale takes place in Paris on 4 February. For further information visit: bonhams.com

ONE OF THE GREAT FERRARI MASTERPIECES LEADS BONHAMS GRAND PALAIS SALE

Bonhams returns to Paris for the annual Grand Palais Sale on 4 February 2016, led by the magnificent 1966 Ferrari 275 GTB, estimated at €2,500,000-3,500,000 and offered without reserve.

Developed by marque founder, Enzo Ferrari, the 275 GTB is considered a masterpiece of motor car design. Boasting a V12, 300 bhp engine, it was the successor to the 250 series, spearheaded by the legendary 250 GTO (currently the most valuable motor car sold at auction, following Bonhams $38,115,000 sale of a 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO), leading it to be met with great applause when it was introduced at the 1964 Paris Autosalon.

Sleek, muscular, and expertly proportioned, the front-engined, two-door Berlinetta is from the second series of the model’s production, which introduced the longer nosed variant, making it rarer, more aerodynamic, and considerably prettier. Chassis 8973 is one of the ultra desirable ‘torque tube’ models, featuring Pininfarina designed Scaglietti coachwork, complete with matching numbers and continuous history.

Further highlights from the Ferrari stable include a 1990 Ferrari F40 Berlinetta, estimated at €950,000-1,100,000. The F40 was the last model ever approved by founding father, Enzo Ferrari, and when it was launched, it was the most powerful model ever built by the marque – the perfect finale to Enzo Ferrari’s legacy.

Philip Kantor, Bonhams European Head of Motoring, said: “Bonhams Grand Palais Sale returns with more than 150 rare and exciting lots of collectors’ motor cars, motorcycles and automobilia. With several rare and special cars already consigned, we expect another incredible sale at the magnificent Grand Palais.”

Elsewhere, a spectacular 2000 Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR Coupé is offered, estimated at €1,800,000-2,000,000. When Mercedes-Benz first unveiled its CLK GTR in 1998, it sold for an astonishing $1.5 million, making it the most expensive production car ever, a figure only recently exceeded by the Ferrari FXX. Supplied new to Switzerland, chassis number ‘23’ has covered a mere 3,285km, making one of the rarest and most desirable Mercedes-Benz models of modern times in effectively ‘as new’ condition.

Further early consignments to the Grand Palais Sale include a Porsche Carrera GT, estimated at €800,000-1,000,000, a highly original 1975 Lancia Stratos HF Stradale, estimated at €350,000-450,000, a 1989 Porsche 911 Carrera 3.2 Speedster with less than 950km from new, estimated at €250,000-350,000, and an ultra rare original left hand drive 1964 Rolls Royce Silver Cloud III Drophead Coupé, estimated at €380,000-540,000.

Aston Martin DB4C e DB5 Touring Superleggera at Bonhams Grand Palais Sale

In evidenza all’asta, la Aston Martin DB4 Convertible del 1962, stimata in € 1,200,000-1,600,000, e la Aston Martin DB5 Convertible del 1965, stimata in € 1,600,000-1,900,000.
L’asta Bonhams di Parigi del 2015 sarà la più grande mai organizzata al Grand Palais fino ad oggi, con circa 130 vetture.

Icona dello stile industriale inglese e simbolo del cinema britannico, il Aston Martin ha prodotto alcune delle automobili più rappresentative di un epoca automobilistica irripetibile: gli anni sessanta. Al timone dell’azienda, Sir David Brown e le auto: la DB4 e la DB5.
Con solo 70 esemplari prodotti, la DB4C del 1962 è uno delle più rare Aston Martin della sua epoca. Essa combina con successo le virtù tradizionali dello stile e delle prestazioni di una “DB” con le delizie di un automobilismo all’aria aperta, ed è oggi una delle più ricercate e pregiate vetture della sua categoria.

Introdotta sul mercato nel 1963, la DB5 è nata come evoluzione della DB4. Il progetto di questa Touring aveva come obiettivo di rendere riconoscibile al primo sguardo il marchio inglese, e così è stato. Solo 19 convertibili DB5 sono state realizzate con guida a sinistra.

Philip Kantor, responsabile europeo del dipartimento Bonhams Motoring, ha commentato: “Le due Aston Martin sono esempi perfetti di quanto abbia significato per la casa automobilistica inglese avere al timone una personalità ispirata come Sir David Brown. Si tratta di due auto con guida a sinistra carrozzate Touring Superleggera, esemplari rari e molto quotati. Stiamo vedendo un forte rialzo della richiesta per le auto degli ‘60, quindi c’è da aspettarsi una forte competizione nella nostra prossima asta di Parigi. ”

La Bonhams Grand Palais Sale si terrà a Parigi il 5 febbraio 2015. Per ulteriori informazioni: https://www.bonhams.com/departments/MOT-CAR/

 

---

 

Sale highlights, the 1962 Aston Martin DB4 Convertible, estimated at €1,200,000-1,600,000 (£950,000-1,250,000), and the 1965 Aston Martin DB5 Convertible, estimated at €1,600,000-1,900,000 (£1,250,000-1,500,000)
2015 will be the biggest Bonhams Grand Palais sale to date, with around 130 motor cars

Two fantastic cars from British luxury marque Aston Martin are set to be offered at Bonhams Paris sale on 5 February 2015.

Synonymous with Britain, and of course, British movie heroes, the luxury marque has produced some truly iconic motor cars throughout its decades of manufacture – arguably none more so than those designed in the David Brown era: the DB4 and DB5.

With only 70 produced, the 1962 DB4C is one of the rarest Aston Martin roadcars of its era. It successfully combines the brands traditional virtues of style and performance with the delights of open air motoring, and is today a most sought after and highly prized motor car.

Introduced in 1963, the DB5 was a development of the preceding DB4. Classically proportioned, the Touring-designed body established an instantly recognizable look that would stand the marque in good stead until 1970. Only 19 DB5 convertibles were ever made in left-hand drive, making this offering a very rare find.

Philip Kantor, Bonhams European Head of Motoring, said: “The duo of Aston Martins offered are perfect examples of the superior design that took hold of the brand in its post-war David Brown era – the cars were driven by the coolest of cool, and were accordingly featured in films of the decade; the DB5 model is synonymous with the James Bond franchise, and the DB4C came to a treacherous end over the alpine cliff edge in The Italian Job.

“Unusually, the pairing are both left-hand drive convertibles, making them ultra rare and highly sought after. They feature beautifully designed Italian coachwork from Touring’s Superleggera, successfully crafted on what is otherwise a very British car. At Bonhams we’re seeing great demand in the trend for cars of the 1960s, so expect some spirited bidding at our upcoming Paris auction.”

Bonhams Grand Palais Sale takes place in Paris on 5 February 2015. For further information visit: https://www.bonhams.com/departments/MOT-CAR/