Artcurial at Le Mans Classic 2012: Early entries include Porsche 908
1968 Porsche 908: 1,300,000 – 1,600,000 euros
Artcurial’s 7 July Le Mans Classic sale is looking more impressive by the day. The Paris-based auction house has released details of some of the confirmed entries, cars such as this 1968 Porsche 908 estimated at 1,300,000 – 1,600,000 euros.
The svelte white coupé is in short-tailed form but is nonetheless a perfect entry for the
next Le Mans Classic, due to be held in 2014. And if that’s not speedy enough for you, there’s an ex-factory 1992 Peugeot 905 at 700,000 – 1,200,000 euros, of the type that finished 1-2-3 in 1993, and also the amazing 1988 WM Peugeot P88.
Le Mans-goers in the 1980s will be familiar with the WM prototypes carrying sponsorship from Peugeot, Total and Heuliez, the French coachbuilder that produced limited-series production runs for major French car companies. As part of 38 cars (all at ‘No Reserve’) coming directly from Heuliez, the WM Peugeot P88 (‘WM’ for Welter et Meunier) is famous for holding the outright maximum speed record on the famous, pre-chicane Hunaudières straight.
1988 WM P88: 150,000 – 250,000 euros, 'No Reserve'
The winning Jaguar XJR-9LM might have had the stamina, but boy did the WM P88 go well in a straight line: 405km/h, that’s 253mph. Estimate: 150,000 – 250,000 euros.
Other, more sedate, but no less desirable entries include a 1971 Citroën SM ‘Espace’ by Heuliez (200,000 – 400,000 euros, featuring a roof with electric roller panels, opening on both sides) and a 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL ‘Gullwing’ (480,000 – 540,000 euros). Porsche 911 aficionados, meanwhile, will like the 1973 Porsche 911S 2.4L.
Prepared by Almeras Frères, for a ‘No Reserve’ 40,000 – 60,000 euros all the white 911 needs is a pair of yellow-tinted Cibié Oscars on the bonnet, Johnny Hallyday on the stereo and a few packs of Gauloises for that truly Gallic, through-the-night driving experience.
There’s also a collection of three cars from lady rally and hillclimb driver, Madame Sacchi: 1973 Porsche 911 2.7 RS, 120,000 – 160,000 euros; 1983 Lancia 037 Rally Stradale, 90,000 – 140,000 euros; 1970 Alfa Romeo 1750 GTV, 15,000 – 25,000.
The 2012 Artcurial Le Mans Classic sale will take place at the Le Mans circuit on Saturday 7 July. Automobilia at 11:00, motor cars at 14:00. You can view the cars on 5, 6, 7 July with a special late-night schedule on Friday 6 July.
For further details, see
www.artcurial.com, call +33 1 42 99 20 56 or email
motorcars@artcurial.com.
Text - Steve Wakefield
Photos - Artcurial
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