Part of the busy Le Mans Classic weekend was the official Artcurial Auction. As always the Paris-based auctioneer managed to assemble an eclectic mix for this biennial sale. Contributing a considerable chunk to the €12.2 million worth of cars sold was this Maserati A6GCS/53 Spyder. Fittingly, it had been delivered new to France and was raced extensively in period. In 1954, the car's career focused on French events and from 1955 it was raced predominantly in Italy. Following an outing in Venezuela, it moved to the United States in 1961. Since 1986, it has had just two custodians, including the vendor, who actually owned the A6GCS/53 for two spells during this period. Beautifully restored and retaining its major components, 2071 found its third owner in 35 years for an impressive €3.4 million.
Making headlines even before the sale was a formidable barn-find collection that was discovered after owner Pierre Héron passed away late last year. It is both lovely and sad to see the once grand machines resurface after many years of neglect. An interesting line-up of French cars, the Héron Collection sold well and was spearheaded by this Delahaye 135 MS Figoni & Falaschi Cabriolet. The 1948 Paris Auto Salon car, it was one of 20 bodied by Figoni & Falaschi with the style known as 'El Glaoui'. One of ten known to survive, 800833 sold for well over twice the bottom estimate at €357,600. Artcurial's Mathieu Lamoure proudly reported after the sale that the car will remain in France and will be meticulously restored.

Enjoy the links:

Artcurial Le Mans Classic Results

1948 Delahaye 135 MS Figoni & Falaschi Cabriolet (800833)

1954 Maserati A6GCS/53 Spyder (2071)