Italian delights set to dazzle bidders in Artcurial's Rétromobile auction

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Salon Rétromobile is now so close we can almost hear the excited chatter of enthusiasts converging on Paris, many of whom will be hoping to return home with a new car in tow. One of the best ways to buy a car at Rétromobile is, of course, at the Artcurial auction, which is taking place on February 7-8th. Dozens of exquisite classic cars and motorcycles have been consigned, and even a couple of commercial vehicles, and we could easily fill several garages if we had all the money in the world to spend. Most of us, though, will have to be content to dream of just one or two cars, but it's hard not to be spoilt for choice when there are so many fine cars on offer. These are just a few highlights...

For many people, the aluminium-bodied 1966 Ferrari 275 GTB (no reserve, est. 2,000,000-3,000,000 euros) must represent the cream of the crop. One of only 93 produced with all-aluminium bodywork, it was originally supplied in Argento Metallizato with a Nero interior and triple carburetters to Noris Lastucci of Prato, near Florence, who kept it until 1969. The car had a brush with infamy in 1970 when it was owned by a Dutch criminal who, being sent to gaol, left it in an outdoor car park. In 1971, it was rescued by a couple of Dutch doctors, who resprayed it in a metallic sky blue, but it became the rather predictable rosso corsa in the 1990s. Having since also been fitted with a modern roll-cage, the car loses a number of points for originality, but it is nevertheless a very beautiful machine and one which we hope a serious enthusiast will take it upon themselves to enjoy and sympathetically improve.

The trouble with Ferraris, of course, is just that everyone wants one... Anyone who cares to think outside the box can find something equally as beautiful but far more unusual for a fraction of the price, and we are perfectly smitten with the 1967 Alfa Romeo 2600 SZ (150,000-200,000 euros). With its aggressively raked grille and inset oblong headlights, the design represents the cutting edge of Italian modernism, but carries a relatively modest estimate. This example was the penultimate of 105 2600 SZs built, and was originally despatched to Lugano, Switzerland, in a coat of Grigio Metallizato. Having been collector-owned since the 1990s, it was fully restored in 2006 by no less than Carrozzeria Touring, and has seen little use since, with the notable exception of an appearance at the 2010 Paleis Het Loo Concours d'Élégance, where it won its class.

Even rarer, and still more affordably-priced, is the 1957 Fiat 1100/103 TV Desirée coupe by Vignale (80,000-120,000 euros), which is one of only three made to a Michelotti design. This one was first enjoyed by a lady owner, Miss Maria Cajani of San Remo, and it appears to have been cherished for most of its existence, having been bought in 1972 by the president of the Automotoclub Storica Italiano. Restored around 10 years ago, it retains a detailed history file and would be a welcome sight at any concours.

Of course, one should not have to spend six figures at Rétromobile, nor is there any compulsion to buy an Italian GT. In fact, we think one of the best purchases to be made is a humble 1950 Volkswagen Beetle (no reserve, est. 20,000-30,000 euros). It has some history from new, having been originally sold in Midnight Blue through Walter Glocker's dealership in Frankfurt. We understand the first owner was a woman, who passed it to her uncle in Paris in 1954, and he in turn transferred it to his brother (the first owner's father) in 1964, after the uncle had used it for a holiday around Basque country. Amazingly, it has remained in one family up to the present and has been well-kept. Although repainted many years ago in a lighter blue (the original Midnight Blue is visible underneath), it is clearly an outstandingly original survivor and one which is sure to be extremely well-received at any preservation-themed event.

No Rétromobile sale is complete with something a little bit eccentric in the mix, and the 1937/48 Packard Super Eight "yacht" by Chapron (250,000-350,000 euros) certainly ticks that box. The pre-war chassis was bodied in 1948 for Louis Réard, who wanted to promote his new invention—the bikini. The completed car appeared at the 1949 Enghien-les-Bains concours, and anywhere else where it was like to generate lots of publicity, such as running alongside the Tour de France, always with a vibrant posse of bikini-clad beauties arrayed on the poupe. Réard kept the car until 1976 and it has only had two owners since. Not seen publicly since Rétromobile in 1987, it has survived in a remarkable unrestored condition.

There's so much more to see in the full catalogue, so why not take a look here?

Salon Rétromobile runs from February 5th to 9th at the Expo Porte de Versailles in Paris. For more information or to buy tickets, click here.

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