RM Auctions arrives at Place Vauban, Paris on 3-4 February for its Retromobile week auction. Among the 60 or so, motor cars going under the hammer are a number of ultimate ‘poster cars’ of the 1970s and 80s.
Our favourite is this 1969 Porsche 911 ex Works – 275 bhp, 2,492 cc SOHC air-cooled horizontally opposed six-cylinder engine with Bosch mechanical fuel injection. With sliding throttle bodies, a twin-plug ignition, five-speed manual transmission, independent front and rear suspension with anti-roll bars, and front and rear disc brakes. Wheelbase: 2,268 mm.
The car is one of just six factory-built 1969 911 S rally cars, winner of the 1969 Acropolis Rally, three-time Le Mans competitor the last attempt was in 1972. It has documents from new with extensive period competition history. Fully restored and eligible for high-pedigree events. Estimate 1,100,000 – 1,300,000 euros.
A Lamborghini Countach heads the ‘poster stars’ bill – the 1977 LP400 ‘Periscopo’, the original Countach concept car. One of 150 Periscopio cars produced, arguably one of the finest surviving early Countach examples in existence. An original factory RHD example, delivered new to Australia, this immaculately presented, matching numbers LP400 is finished in Rosso paint with a Nero interior comes with an estimate of 1,130,000 to 1,450,000 euros.
A second Countach is also on the bill – chassis number 1121254, a 1980 LP400S finished in white. One of 105 Countach LP400S Series II examples built, it was upgraded by marque expert Bob Wallace with a 4.0-litre V-12 with twin turbochargers. The body was also modified by fitting additional vents to the engine cover, which would assist with keeping the engine bay cool. However, the owner sought even more power and replaced the engine with a modified Quattrovalvole, although the original V12 is offered with the car. Its estimate is 500,000 to 700,000 euros.
The final Countach is a 1989 25th Anniversary with fewer than 8,000 kilometres from new. The slightly restyled version of its celebrated Countach was released with bodywork redesigned by Horacio Pagani. The 25th Anniversary edition was perhaps the most memorable and widely recognised Countach, and this one is expected to fetch between 250,000 and 300,000 euros.
Other noteworthy cars included in the sale include a 1964 Porsche 904 Carrera GTS, with full FIVA papers, a 1989 Ferrari Testerossa in Ferrari red, expected to fetch between €120,000 – €160,000, a 1963 Ferrari 250 GT/L ‘Lusso’ Berlinetta by Scaglietti, and a 1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7 Sports Lightweight.
