35th Retromobile - Bonhams Auction

W once again the Bonhams Motorcars department has succeeded in putting together an auction package that is bursting with high-quality treasures. The country distribution is clear, the focus is on the French classics, after all, the auction will take place on January 23 in the exhibition halls at Port de Versailles in Paris.

99 cars out of seven Countries come under the hammer

So 27 French vehicles come under the hammer, four of them come from Molsheim and carry the Bugatti horseshoe - a Bugatti 57C Berlina and two Type 44s, which are hardly more different could. A 1927 model with a sporty roadster body and a Fiacre Coupé from 1929 from the previous possession of the German Heinrich Risken from Bad Rothenfelde, who owned the Bugatti from 1983 to 2003. With an estimate of 260,000 euros, the Type 44 Fiacre Coupé is the highest-priced Bugatti.

The Bugatti from Lake Maggiore

But an even older and more spectacular brand brother could even surpass it: the 1925 Bugatti Brescia Type 22 Roadster with lot number 250, which is offered without a reserve price. With around 2,000 units built between 1910 and 1926, the Type 22 is one of Bugatti's top sellers. A Type 22 is now being offered in Paris that has been exposed to the water of Lake Maggiore for more than 70 years. The wreck was only recovered in 2009. The estimate is between 70,000 and 90,000 euros. The auction proceeds from this car will go to the Damiano Tamagni Foundation against Youth Violence (www.damianotamagni.ch). The background story can be read here.

Two million Italians from Alfa Romeo and Ferrari

The highest price of the Paris auction - 1st prize , 3 to 1.6 million euros - is expected for lot 249. The 8C 2300 is one of only four Alfa Romeo factory racers built between 1931 and 1933. The fact that the brand celebrates its 100th birthday in 2010 should also have a price increase.

In addition to the 8c 2300, three more Alfa are up for auction. A 1930 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 GS Spider of the fourth series (lot 261), which is expected to fetch up to 650,000 euros, a 1950 Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 SS Coupé (lot 267, estimate: 220,000 to 280,000 euros) and a 1963 Alfa Romeo 2600 Sprint First-hand coupe that lasted for over 20 years after the previous owner's deathwas in a garage.

Only one other car is listed in the auction catalog with a million dollar estimate - the 1962 Ferrari 400 Superamerica Series I Coupé Aerodinamico with a body by Pininfarina. Only 25 of the first series were produced on an SWB chassis with a wheelbase of 242 centimeters. The history shows famous previous owners such as Alain Dominique Perrin, boss of Cartier.

You can see all cars that will be auctioned by Bonhams on January 23rd in our photo show above>

Retromobile 2010 - The facts

Address

Paris Expo, Porte de Versailles, Pavilion 7-3
75015 Paris
Tel: +33 (0) 1 49 09 42 55
retromobile@retromobile.fr

Opening times from 22. to 31. January

On the opening day (22.01.) From 12 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Tuesdays and Fridays 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Admission prices

Adults: 13 euros
Children from six to twelve years: 7.50 euros
Children up to six years: free entry
group rate (from 10 people): ten euros per person
further information on www.retromobile.com