February 2025 Auction Preview: Temptations Galore in the International Market

There are temptations galore as the international auction scene ramps up for 2025, according to Retro Rides market analyst and serial tyre kicker Cliff Chambers.

If you hanker for the glamour of 1920s Hollywood, or southern France in the 1960s, then two recently unveiled auction catalogues offer a range of vehicles to fulfil your fantasy.

February 4-5 will see RM Sotheby’s take over part of the Louvre Palace in central Paris to present an exceptional selection of cars, many from a long-term Belgian collector or the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway Collection.

Then on February 15 in San Francisco, Broad Arrow Auctions will offer a catalogue of 100 cars, all unreserved, from the Academy of Art University Collection.

This 1955 Gullwing Coupe finished in stunning Strawberry Red Metallic is offered at no reserve but expected to garner a US$1.2-1.5 million winning bid (Image: Broad Arrow Auctions)

The Broad Arrow sale looks set to attract plenty of bidders in various price ranges, all competing to own some beautifully preserved cars.

Most costly will likely be the Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing which is estimated at US$1.5 million. However, the sale also includes excellent MG and Triumph sports cars and plenty of 1960s US classics with estimates ranging from US$20,000-35,000.

Also in the mix is an Australian-spec Mini Cooper S Mark 2, complete with Victorian number plates, tacked on wheel-arch flares and an enticing US$25,000-35,000 estimate. 

This Australian-built Mini Cooper S somehow ended up in America at the Academy of Art University, complete with Victorian number plates (Image: Broad Arrow Auctions)

Earlier models that on the day may exceed quite modest estimates include 1920s-30s US models that would have cruised the affluent streets of New York and Hollywood in their younger days. 

Our picks for scarcity and value include a V12-engined 1934 Packard with Pebble Beach Concours history estimate at US$350,000-400,000 and the 1929 Auburn Boat Tail Speedster at US$120,000-150,000. 

Anyone with US$70,000 to spend and wanting a US-made sports car other than a Corvette might also consider the very scarce Kaiser-Darrin Roadster which is one of only 435 made.

This 1934 Packard Twelve, also from the Academy of Art University collection, is one many glamorous American motors on offer in Broad Arrow's February sale (Image: Broad Arrow Auctions)

RM Sotheby’s Parisian event will doubtless see many higher prices realised than at the Californian sale, and more exotic models sold. However, the listings are also dotted with cars that are within reach of mainstream enthusiast buyers.

Topping the list of price estimates and being offered on behalf of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum collection is one of the world’s most desirable Ferraris – a 250LM which won the 1965 24 Hours of Le Mans race and was subsequently owned by US Ferrari distributor Luigi Chinetti. It has been in the Museum’s collection for 55 years.

Another desirable exotic with a sale price likely exceeding €10 million (US$10.24 million) is the Bugatti Centodieci – one of 10 cars built in 2022 by Bugatti Automobiles SAS to commemorate the release 30 years earlier of the EB110.

This Ferrari 250 LM which won the 1965 24 Hours of Le Mans is expected to fetch more than €25 million in RM Sotheby's Paris 2025 sale (Image: Ferrari S.p.A.)

Look back further again and the listings include evocative French, Italian and British exotics from the 1960-70s; cars rarely seen in Australia and almost never sold here.

The RM Sotheby’s event will bring together rarities like the only Aston Martin DB6 Shooting Brake produced in LHD by Panelcraft, alongside pristine examples of the DB4 and DB5 coupe. There as well, will be a pair of DB2/4 and DB3 Dropheads in equally lovely condition.

Ferrari buyers will find opportunities in a variety of price ranges, commencing at €80,000 (US$82,000) for a V12-engined 412 from 1985 then running to perhaps €25 million (US$25.6 million) for the 250LM.

This DB6 Shooting Brake is believed to be one of only three rebodied by FLM Panelcraft, and the sole left-hand drive example among them (Image: Neil Fraser for RM Sotheby's)

Those looking for Lamborghinis have lots of choice, with the list including an early 400GT and 1969 Islero, with the highlight being a Countach Periscopo in from Sweden that’s expected to exceed €750,000 (US$768,000).

The Porsches begin with a selection of cheap 928s before improving to include several early 356s, various GT2 and GT3s and lots of 911s.

Exotics that rarely appear anywhere but are available in Paris include a Mercedes-Benz Grosser Landaulet which is expected to make €1.3-1.6 million (US$1.33-1.64 million) and a 1970 Ferrari 512M Le Mans racer worth more than €10 Million (US$10.24 million).

Full lists of cars available in these two auctions are available on the Broad Arrow Auctions and RM Sotheby’s websites.

On the quirky end of the spectrum, you'll find this opulent six-door Mercedes-Benz Grosser Pullman Landaulet originally delivered new to the government of Portuguese Guinea, now Guinea-Bissau, amid its bid for independence in 1974 (Image: Alexander Babic for RM Sotheby's)