Rétromobile 2010

Hosted in the centre of Paris, Rétromobile is one of Europe's most prestigious classic and modern car shows.  Attracting over 120,000 visitors this year, the glamorous event played host to a large number of past and present racing drivers as well as enthusiasts from throughout the world.  This celebrated event provided a magnificent back drop for companies to promote their collections. 

Among "The Andalusian Collection" presented by Bonhams was a 1932 Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 specification Monza .  The Alfa Romeo 8C was produced from 1931, in a limited run of 188 in three series, many of which were raced in period.  The model received great success with three wins in the Mille Miglia, three at the Targa Florio, four at Le Mans and a Grand Prix victory at Monza .  Such a legacy has inspired the stunning new and highly sought after Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione, one of only 500 to be built which was also on display.

Another Bugatti in the Bonhams' sale was the 1925 Bugatti Type 22 Brescia, this car had lain submerged 53 metres below Lake Maggiore in Italy for over 73 years until retrieved last year.  The car sold for the incredible sum of €260,500 despite its seemly low estimate of €90,000.  

The centre piece of the Mercedes-Benz stand was the revisited 1954 300 SL, the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG stood next to the model that inspired it.  The two cars looked equally beautiful although the new AMG V8 6.3 litre model, like the original was in its day, a cutting edge piece of technology, featuring an aluminium spaceframe body, seven speed dual clutch transmission and sports suspension with aluminium double wishbones.  The new model features the iconic original Gullwing doors.  The pairing of the two cars was in typical Rétromobile fashion and the two contrasting examples looked as stylishly as ever.

The automobile section always delivers a surprise and lot 49 - a pair of period Rolls Royce Bookends - sold for €19,225, almost 10 times the estimate.  The auction, acted as a barometer to the health of the classic car market, and upon reflection the industry would appear extremely healthy even in the face of the global down turn. 

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