RM Sotheby’s Paris Auction Paced by 28 Ferrari Petitjean Collection

Following up on the success of its recent Arizona auction, RM Sotheby’s held the company’s ninth annual Paris auction in the heart of the French capitol. The one-day auction totaled nearly $28.5 million in sales, with 91 percent of all lots sold to registered bidders hailing from 38 different countries.

The highlight of the night was The Petitjean Collection ‘Part II’, a collection of 28 Ferrari road cars spanning 30 years, from 1959 to 1989. Marcel Petitjean’s collection clearly represents one man’s passion and dedication to building a fine collection of cars. All lots were vigorously contested, and it was the 1985 Ferrari 288 GTO, one of the ultimate supercars of its era, which sold for €3,464,375 ($3,942,528 at current exchange rates), establishing a record for the model and topping the entire sale.

The Petitjean Collection’s second-highest sale was the 1966 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 by Scaglietti—the first production GTB/4 produced and Paris Salon show car, which brought €2,367,500 (~$2,694,262).

One of the most desirable of all the great V12 250s, the 1964 Ferrari 250 GT/L Berlinetta Lusso by Scaglietti, another great survivor in wonderfully original condition, sold for €1,186,250 (~$1,349,976). Presented in the factory-correct color combination of Argento over Rosso leather interior, the matching-numbers example had been in Petitjean’s hands for over 35 years.

In total, the Petitjean Collection ‘Part II’, in its entirety, was an outstanding success, with all lots producing exceptional results and many exceeding their pre-sale estimates.

Photo: Tom Hains / RM Sotheby's

Outside of The Petitjean Collection, a number of significant results were achieved. The Ferrari Classiche-certified 1996 Ferrari F50 was the second-highest selling lot of the sale. Boasting just 12,722 km on its odometer, the example on offer sold for €3,436,250 (~$3,910,521).

Photo: Tom Hains / RM Sotheby's

And proving that Ferraris aren’t the only supercars attracting collectors, the 1994 Bugatti EB110 GT was another record-breaking result for the model. Believed to be one of only 84 models built to “GT” specification, this example achieved €1,805,000 (~$2,054,126).

Rounding out the top 10 results was a 1958 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster, which sold for €916,250 (~$1,042,710) and a 1954 Fiat 8V Coupe—one of just 114 8Vs built and one of only 29 second-series cars built in-house by Fiat—which brought a deserved €905,000 (~$1,029,908).

One of the most exciting moments during the sale was the 1983 Ferrari Meera S by Michelotti, which had observers marvelling as the bidding rose to unexpected heights. This unique car, a true one-of-one created exclusively for Saudi Arabian royalty in the 1980s, sold for an astonishing 245% over its high estimate and made €432,500 (~$492,193).

“We are beyond pleased with the results of Monsieur Petitjean’s collection and the entire event overall,” commented Oliver Camelin, RM Sotheby’s Director of Sales, Switzerland. "The success of these sales comes down to the trust that clients put into RM Sotheby’s when consigning their cars or entire collections, especially when the cars have been in such loved and long-term ownership. Across the board, the entire sale was a huge success and to achieve a sale rate of 91 percent really signifies just how strong the market is, at present.”