RM Auctions starts a 'Ménage à Trois' in Paris.

By announcing the entry of a famous 1953 ex-works Gordini for the week of Rétromobile in february 2014 RM Auctions enters the Paris auction arena. Many many years the Retromobile week has been dominated by Artcurial and Bonhams who exchange places every few years ( one inside the show, one outside) seemed to entertain a competitive but peaceful coexistence. The picture is changing with the announcement of RM to enter the battlefield as number 3 during the 2014 Salon Rétromobile. And this at a symbolic spot: "Les Invalides", the final resting place of Napoleon the final resting place of Napoleon. Don't think this is coincidence, the ambitious canadian auction company is playing  the high ball game of marketing.  No matter what Bonhams and Artcurial think of all this, from a visitors point of view the 2014 Paris show scene will be even more attractive for than other years. More and more the Rétromobile show week is becoming the epicenter of the european classic car world. 

About the car:  a historically highly significant ex-works Gordini 24S. A compact, streamlined barchetta featuring a three-litre DOHC and eight-cylinder engine. The example being offered is one of the first racing cars in history to feature disc brakes all round. It was entered in the 1953, 1954 and 1955 24 Heures du Mans races, as well as numerous other well-known events including the 12 Heures de Reims; the Tour de France, where it finished 1st overall in 1953; the 1953 and 1954 1000 km  Buenos Aires; the 1955 Mille Miglia; and the 1953 Carrera Panamericana.  Extensively campaigned in period by equally 'well-campaigned' pilot, Jean Behra.

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