Artcurial promises fantastic mix of race cars and oddities

| 19 Jun 2012

Artcurial’s Le Mans Classic Sale will feature some truly exceptional machines when it gets underway on 7 July.

This Ferrari 275GTC (main pic') won its class at the Nürburgring 1000km in 1966 and is expected to sell for €1.3-1.6 million.

A stunning 1938 Peugeot 402 Darl’mat Roadster (above) is believed to be one of 20 and comes complete with its original engine, body and wood frame, and is expected to fetch between €280-360,000.

At the other end of the scale two Renault Gordinis are up with no reserve, a 1970 Renault 8 1135 (estimate €30-50,000) and a 1971 Renault 12 R1173 (estimate €15-25,000) both look resplendent in their Gordini Blue finish.

The French theme continues with Ligiers in the form of a 1970 JS1 (above) and a 1978 Ford Formula 1 JS 11/15.

This JS1 - Chassis # 002 – is believed to be the only survivor of three cars, has been restored and is ready for historic racing, but also comes with the chassis, chassis plate (# 03) and registration papers that would allow for the revival of a second car. All could be yours for €450-650,000.

Meanwhile, the JS 11/15 is expected to fetch €200-250,000 and remains as it was when it retired in 1980.

Fans of the Ligier name, but who are constrained to a tighter budget, could snap up a 1985 Ligier JS6D diesel city car for somewhere in the region of €3-5000.

As we’ve already mentioned two of the biggest stars will be a 1992 Peugeot 905 Le Mans car and a 253mph 1988 WM Le Mans car, but a wealth of racecars will be on offer including three Peugeots, a 1993 405 Supertourisme (€30-50,000), a 1997 406 Supertourisme (€40-60,000) and a pretty 2001 406 Coupe Silhouette with a mid-mounted V6 producing 300bhp, which is up for €60-100,000.

Artcurial’s sale will feature a number of strange-looking French machines that make a browse through the auction list a worthwhile lunchtime pursuit with cars such as a rally-ready 1956 Citroën Traction (€20-30,000), a Citroën M35 (€20-40,000), a unique Citroën SM Espace (above), a 1986 Citroën BX 4 TC (below, €40-60,000), a 1986 Citroën B Heuliez three-door estate (€20-30,000) and 1980 Peugeot 604 Ti Limo’ (€20-20,000) give a flavour of what the sale has to offer.