Some spectacle one can expect in Paris

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We told you before that there is some spectacle to be expected when Rétromobile settles at the Port de Versailles in Paris from 5 to 9 February. And there are some more spectacular cars offered for sale. Local auctioneer Artcurial joins the fun with some marvellous Bugattis (T57 Vanvooren Cabriolet, T57 Torpedo, T37/44 Monoplace – estimates at around half a million Euros), some Delahayes and Talbot-Lagos, not quite cheap either, plus this year’s top gun being a 1929 Mercedes-Benz 710 SS with Sports Tourer body by Fernandez & Darrin. The latter is estimated to break the bank at € 6- to 8 million.

1936 Audi Front 225 Cabriolet

So let’s have a look at the somewhat more down to earth offerings that the auctioneers of Artcurial will bring over. The first that catches the eye is a 1936 Audi Front 225 Cabriolet with no reserve price and estimated at €10- to 20,000. It’s one you’ll have to like hard to start a restoration though. With no papers and in a condition that may well be described as ‘dans son jus’, it is not a project for the faint-hearted. And when you know it was sold at the sale of the Baillon collection five years ago and stored since it seems that the current owner may perhaps have overlooked things a little.

1929 Delage DMN Faux-Cabriolet

There are, however, two more cars that seem well worth their estimates, both of them being Delages. When compared to contemporaries from France these cars seem underpriced to us. Perhaps they are not quite so well known? Who will tell? The first Delage comes in unrivalled oily rag condition plus with clear history from day 1 and its French paperwork all being there. It’s a 1929 Delage DMN Faux-Cabriolet with a body by Autobineau and a rather lovely history. The car’s original lady owner used it to shuttle from Paris to her exceptional country house in the Ain district until 1955 when it was stored and only sold to a next owner in 2008. That’s it. The dark blue and grey paint, as well as the grey woollen cloth interior, are original. One drawback: the engine is seized. But then the estimate of €40- to 60,000 may well leave some budget to repairs?

1939 Delage D6-75 Coach

Not so much in for mechanical overhauls, but like the idea of a (relatively) cheap French grand routier? Then there’s the other Delage: a 1939 D6-75 Coach Panoramique with a particularly nice body by Letourneur et Marchand. This car’s history is not quite so well documented but it seems certain that it has been well cared for since 1963 when it was parked next to not one but two Hispano-Suizas in the stable of a former owner. In 2012, just about all of the mechanicals received a full overhaul and with its lovely pillarless doors it seems well worth its €60- to 90.000 estimate to us. What do you reckon?

Words by Jeroen Booij. Pictures courtesy Artcurial Motorcars.

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