The 2025 Paris auctions: RM’s opening day grosses €13.6m

By Steve Wakefield

4th February 2025

The Canadians were first out of the blocks in Paris selling 73 cars, all consigned at No Reserve, for a total with premium of €13,644,540. Nearly two thirds failed to meet lower estimate, the main exceptions being more modern Porsches.

The auction room was packed from late morning onwards, matched by a similar state of activity seen at Bonhams who, for today and tomorrow (Wednesday) only, have all their cars on display at the Grand Palais.

Obviously, many were there to get a good look at RM’s headliner at tomorrow’s sale, the 1965 Le Mans-winning Ferrari 250 LM. Interest has been high on the car so expect another record-breaking event after last Saturday’s sale of the 1954 Mercedes-Benz W196 R for €51, 155,000.

At a glance:

* Gross, motor cars: €13,644,540
* Percentage sold by number: 100%
* Top-selling car: 1954 Bentley R Type Continental Fastback €1,265,000 gross, €1,120,000 net (est. €1.8m to €2.4m)
* Well sold? 2011 Porsche 911 GT3 RS 4.0 (est. €350k to €400k) sold for €471,875. The ultimate Mezger-engined Porsche 911 with nothing special mileage of 10,094km.
* Well bought? The R Type Continental Bentley was to the ultimate spec – manual, central gearchange, bucket seats, spats, original colours of grey/tan – and the subject of a no-holds-barred (we’ve seen the bills) restoration by Clark and Carter in the UK. You will not find a better one.

Bidding on the R Type (above) was brisk but never looked like breaking the €1.5m mark. The issue is anyone who wants one has a good one, and the model has lost its gloss as one of THE collectible cars. Changing times.

Other results of note (all prices gross):

* 1928 Lancia Lambda Torpedo Lungo, €126,500. Great to see a proper pre-war Lancia sell well over its estimate.
* 1964 Aston Martin DB5, €736,250. Great spec and colours but needing the inevitable £250k British restoration makes this LHD French market DB5 expensive.
* 1985 Ferrari 412, €120,750. An underrated classic that benefitted from a manual gearbox and attractive Grigio Ferrari paintwork.
* 1936 Bugatti Type 57 Cabriolet by Gangloff, €308,750. The other side of the pre-war coin – estimate €480k to €600k. Looking old-fashioned.
* 1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7 Lightweight, €713,750. This one had seen a lot of racing action losing its original engine on the way. Unlikely to have had one lady owner.
* 1966 Aston Martin DB6 Shooting Brake by FLM Panelcraft, €443,750. Not as attractive as the more desirable DB5 Shooting Brake by Harold Radford. Probably sold on the money.

RM Sotheby’s in Paris, 4 February 2025 – results

Total gross cars: €13,644,540
Number of cars not sold: 0
Number of cars withdrawn: 0
Total number of cars: 73
Number sold: 73
Percentage cars sold by number: 100%
Percentage by value average low/high estimate:
Percentage of cars sold below low estimate: 62%
Percentage of cars sold not met avge of estimates: 78%
Percentage of cars sold met/exceeded top estimate: 14%
Average value of cars sold: €186,912
Average year of cars offered: 1976