The Mercedes belonged new to SAR Moulay Hassan, the future King Hassan II of Morocco
also starring in the sale, a 1972 Volkswagen Beetle - the personal car of celebrated singer YéYé Sylvie Vartan - reached 29800 €/33 972 $.

It was just after 16h on a sunny day in Paris on Sunday that Maître Hervé Poulain, accompanied by Matthieu Lamoure, brought his hammer down to mark the start of the 14th edition of the Automobiles sur les Champs auction, organised by Artcurial Motorcars. 

Expertly presented by Pierre Novikoff, the deputy director of Artcurial Motorcars, 48 collectors cars changed hands during the afternoon.  The sale realised 4,390 732 €/5,005 434 $.

Bidding was enthusiastic from the start, with lot 1, the 1972 Volkswagen Beetle that had belonged to Sylvie Vartan, selling above the high estimate for 29 800 €/33 972 $ including premium.

Attention then turned to the last true French luxury marque, Facel Vega with lot 6, a 1964 Facel Vega Facel III Cabriolet, which sold for 81100 €/92 454 $ (estimate : 35 000 - 50 000 €). Coming from the same collection, the three other Facels enjoyed equal success, including lot 7, the rare 1962 Facel II, one of just 183 examples built, which made 274 200 €/312 588 $ (including premium).

German marques shared the limelight, with a 1957 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster (lot 44), selling for 953 600 €/1,087 104 $ (including premium).
This car has had just one owner for the last 45 years, and was delivered new in June 1957 to SAR Moulay Hassan, the future King of Morocco. It was one of the first 30 examples of the model and was presented in wonderfully preserved condition.
A second German roadster, the 1937 BMW 328 roadster (lot 39) found a new owner for 596 000 € / 679 440 $. 

'We have paid tribute tonight to the last French luxury marque, by achieving remarkable prices for the Facel Vega.  The history of an automobile is of paramount importance to collectors. We have proved that with the BMW 328 Roadster and the Mercedes 300 SL.'
Matthieu Lamoure, Managing director, Artcurial Motorcars

Automobiles sur les Champs XIV Sale total 4 390 732 € / 5 005 434 $ 65 % of lots sold 1€= 1,14 $ sale estimate : 6 260 000 €

DESCRIPTION/PRICE

1957 MERCEDES-BENZ 300 SL roadster 953 600 € / 1 087 104 $ (est : 900 000 - 1 100 000)
1937 BMW 328 roadster 596 000 €/679 440 $ (est : 550 000 - 750 000)
1962 FACEL II 274 200 €/312 588 $ (est : 180 000 - 280 000)
1999 LAMBORGHINI DIABLO SV 250 300 €/285 342 $ (est : 200 000 - 250 000)
1965 CITROËN DS 19 cabriolet Chapron Palm Beach 174 000 €/198 360 $ (est : 180 000 - 260 000)

full rsults to follow

The next Artcurial sale : Rétromobile 2019, in February