Auctions

Preview : the Bonhams “Les grandes marques du monde au Grand Palais” auction in Paris

1950 Porsche 356 pre A splitwindow

The automotive auction season has taken off. A few weeks ago, the major auction houses failed to offer extra-ordinary cars at the auctions in Scottsdale. That resulted in hammer prices well below the estimates for all 3 major auction houses : Bonhams, RM Sotheby’s and Gooding & Co.

At the Bonhams Auction during the Retromobile Show in Paris, 2 cars attract our attention. First of all there is he 1950 Porsche 356 pre-A. The split-window Porsche has a 4 digit chassis number (5310) that makes the car real early and probably very desirable for collectors. Chassis number ‘5310’ is an original German-delivered car that is believed to have had only four previous owners. This particular Porsche won the “Most iconic car” award at the 2018 Zoute GP concours d’elegance, and 1st Prize for ‘Best Restoration’ at the InterClassics Brussels auto show.

1956 Porsche 356 carrera gs
1956 Porsche 356 Carrera GS/GT

The 1956 Porsche 356A was fitted in period (the 1960s most probably) with an ultra-rare Carrera Type 620/0 engine, number ‘P91005’. Only 20 examples have been made. Chassis ‘56778’ was delivered new finished in Silver metallic with engine number ‘90667’ (a standard Carrera 1500 GS unit) to Sonauto, the French Porsche importer. This car has international competition history, mainly while carrying the French registration number. The car has had numerous upgrades to Carrera GT specification. On top of the competition history, this car has extensively campaigned in numerous prestigious rallies such as Tour Auto, Mille Miglia.

We predict some hefty bidding for those 2 cars, even though you never know in the current market.

All the Porsches in the Bonhams “Les grandes marques du Monde” auction

Lot 257 1958 PORSCHE-DIESEL STANDARD F208 TRACTOR Chassis no. IV/7008  Estimation € 15,000 – 25,000
Lot 267 1965 PORSCHE 356C CABRIOLET Chassis no. 161494 Engine no. 732181  Estimation € 160,000 – 190,000
Lot 280 1961 PORSCHE 356B 1600 COUPÉ Chassis no. 118029  Estimation € 80,000 – 100,000
Lot 288 1950 PORSCHE 356 SPLIT-WINDOW ‘FOUR-DIGIT’ COUPÉ Coachwork by Reutter Chassis no. 5310 Estimation € 700,000 – 1,000,000
Lot 295 1956 PORSCHE 356A CARRERA GS/GT COUPÉ Chassis no. 56778 Estimation € 420,000 – 560,000
Lot 306 1997 RUF PORSCHE CTR2 SPORT PROTOTYPE Chassis no. W09BC0364VPR06011 Estimation € 1,300,000 – 1,600,000
Lot 333 1972 PORSCHE 911T 2.4-LITRE ‘ÖLKLAPPE’ TARGA Chassis no. 9112111184 Estimation € 95,000 – 130,000

All Pictures courtesy Bonhams