Bonhams|Cars Grand Palais 2025
Bonhams|Cars returned to the Grand Palais in Paris during the most recent iteration of Retromobile following a three year hiatus. The auction achieved total sales of €18 million and a sell-through rate of 91% for the classic cars. Let’s take a look at the top sales from Bonhams|Cars at the Grand Palais.
Introduced in 1948, the Ferrari 166 MM Touring Barchetta was one of Ferrari’s early race cars that set the stage for its future achievements in motorsports. The designation “166” refers to the engine’s displacement—166 cubic centimeters per cylinder—from its 2.0-liter Colombo V12 engine, which produced around 140 horsepower. The letters “MM” stand for Mille Miglia, celebrating the car’s victory in this renowned Italian endurance race.
Constructed by Carrozzeria Touring, the vehicle’s design is known as a “Barchetta,” translating to “little boat.” It featured a lightweight aluminum body using Touring’s Superleggera construction method, which improved both agility and aerodynamics. This model secured notable wins in prestigious endurance races such as the 1949 Mille Miglia, the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and Targa Florio, marking Ferrari’s initial successes at these events.
Only 25 units were made between 1948 and 1950, making it an extremely rare and coveted collector’s item today. Its elegant yet practical design, combined with its significant role in establishing Ferrari’s racing heritage, cements it as one of the brand’s most iconic early models.
Sold for €2,817,500
Developed for the 1954 and 1955 Formula 1 seasons, the Ferrari Tipo 555 “Super Squalo” takes its name from its streamlined, low-slung design, keeping pace with the aerodynamic trends of the mid-1950s.
It was powered by Ferrari’s response to the 2.5L engine regulations that came into effect in 1954. The Tipo 555 “Super Squalo” sported a lighter chassis and more centralized weight distribution and was designed by Aurelio Lampredi.
Its inline four-cylinder engine produced around 250 horsepower but it failed to live up to its promise against the V8 and straight-six engines powering its competitors such as Maserati and Mercedes-Benz.
While it wasn’t the most successful Grand Prix car produced by Ferrari, it still stands a key point in the team’s development through the 1950s. The example offered by Bonhams|Cars is one of just two known surviving examples and was driven by Mike Hawthorn and Giuseppe Farina.
Sold for €1,983,750
The Bugatti Type 35, launched in 1924, is widely regarded as one of the most iconic and successful racing cars in history. Conceived by Ettore Bugatti, this legendary vehicle dominated Grand Prix racing throughout the 1920s, amassing an impressive record of over 1,000 victories, including five consecutive wins at the prestigious Targa Florio (1925-1929).
The Type 35’s design was characterized by its lightweight chassis, cutting-edge aerodynamics, and the distinctive horseshoe grille that has become synonymous with the Bugatti brand. The car’s powerplant consisted of a 2.0L straight-eight engine, producing approximately 90 horsepower, while later variants, such as the Type 35B, boasted a supercharged 2.3L engine that delivered over 135 horsepower. The Type 35’s exceptional handling, reliability, and performance made it a favorite among both factory-backed drivers and privateer racers.
Bugatti’s innovative approach to engineering also played a significant role in the Type 35’s success. The company introduced several groundbreaking technologies, including hollow front axles to reduce weight and integrated drum brakes for enhanced stopping power. These advancements enabled the Type 35 to reach speeds exceeding 120 mph (193 km/h), a remarkable achievement for the era. As a result, the Bugatti Type 35 remains an enduring symbol of motorsport excellence, its legacy continuing to inspire admiration and awe among racing enthusiasts and historians alike.
Sold for €759,000
In 1985, Lancia produced a limited-edition road-going version of its iconic Delta S4 Group B rally car, known as the Delta S4 Stradale. To meet FIA homologation requirements, only around 200 units were manufactured, rendering it an extremely rare and highly sought-after vehicle.
The S4 Stradale deviated significantly from the standard Delta hatchback, boasting a space-frame chassis and mid-engine, all-wheel-drive configuration that transformed it into a genuine high-performance machine. Power came courtesy of a 1.8L inline-four engine, which employed both a supercharger and turbocharger (twincharging), to produce approximately 250 horsepower – a detuned from the over 500 horsepower delivered in the rally variant. This setup provided instant low-end power from the supercharger and high-end boost from the turbo, making it exceptionally fast and responsive.
The aggressive yet functional design featured wide fender flares, large air intakes, and boxy aerodynamic profile, while interior was more refined than its rally counterpart, featuring Alcantara-trimmed seats and carpeting.
Despite being a road car, Delta S4 Stradale retained much its racing DNA, with brutal acceleration and rally-bred handling. However, infamous dangers led to cancellation of Group B in 1986, making S4 Stradale one last remnants era where cars could driven roads.
Sold for €626,750
The 1939 Horch 853A Sport Cabriolet was an exemplary model of luxury and innovation, epitomizing the excellence of German automotive engineering before World War II. As part of the Auto Union conglomerate (which later evolved into Audi), the 853A was an evolution of the esteemed Horch 853, boasting refined mechanics and elegant styling that positioned it as a direct competitor to high-end models from Mercedes-Benz and Maybach.
Powered by a robust 5.0L straight-eight engine producing 120 horsepower, the 853A masterfully combined performance with sophistication. The vehicle featured a four-speed manual transmission with overdrive, an advanced suspension system, and an enormous yet elegantly designed body crafted by renowned coachbuilder Gläser Karosserie. Its distinctive long sweeping fenders, imposing front grille and meticulously handcrafted details rendered it one of the most visually striking cars of its era.
Regarded as one finest pre-war German automobiles, the Horch 853A Sport Cabriolet remains highly coveted classic, frequently showcased in prestigious concours events and museum collections, representing pinnacle 1930s luxury and artisanal craftsmanship.
Sold for €414,000