No prizes for Bonhams at Chantilly

As the official auction partner at France’s most prestigious concours, it must be a nice feeling for Bonhams to know that it’s knocked Artcurial off its perch. However, only the directors back in Bond St will know at what cost. Never one of its stronger events, Bonhams’ Chantilly auction this year was not a happy affair.

Just 17 of the 34 cars offered sold. Seven of these were at No Reserve, which hardly counts.

At a glance:

*€1,898,650 gross (2016: €9,475,507)
* Percentage sold by number 50% (67%)
* Top-selling car the 1953 Aston Martin DB2 Vantage DHC at £402,500

In the tradition of French auctions the tent was open to all, catalogue-holders or not. So it was bursting at the seams with a steamy atmosphere not conducive to measured bidding and, as usual, the British auctioneer was augmented by a French notaire. To no great surprise the ‘one man’s dream’ 1957 Mercedes 300 SL Roadster replica racer failed to sell, and whoever thought it was a good idea to bring the 2016 sale’s Horch cars back (at pretty well the same estimates) had clearly been at the absinthe. Neither sold.

The one ray of sunshine was the 1953 Aston Martin DB2 Drophead Coupé that sold below low-estimate for €350k hammer, €402.5k all-in with Bonhams’ 15% buyer’s premium, a punchy figure straight from the price list at the George Cinq. This was some going for a generally undervalued model; particularly so, given its non-original engine and fire engine red (normally the kiss of death) paintwork.

Being generous, while Artcurial generally rules the roost in France, there’s no knowing if it would have done any better on the day.

Bonhams at Chantilly, 10 September 2017 (2016)

Total gross cars: €1,898,650 (€9,475,507)
Number of cars not sold: 17 (9)
Total number of cars: 34 (27)
Number sold: 17 (18)
Percentage cars sold by number: 50% (67%)
Percentage by value average low/high estimate: 16% (65%)
Percentage of cars sold below low estimate: 59% (67%)
Percentage of cars sold not met avge of estimates: 76% (89%)
Percentage of cars sold met/exceeded top estimate: 6% (6%)
Average value of cars sold: €111,685 (€526,417)
Average year of cars offered: 1938 (1964)
Percentage of cars offered at No Reserve: 21% (7%)

Photos by K500