PARIS.- Le Mans Classic, the prestigious event held every other year, where all motor racing fans and passionate classic car enthusiasts congregate. With star cars enhancing Artcurial Motorcars’ reputation, some 115 lots will come under the hammer of Maitre Hervé Poulain at Le Mans Classic 2016 by Artcurial Motorcars, the auction to be held on 9 July.

Following on from the 1957 Ferrari 335 S Scaglietti that sold for 32,1 M€ / 35,7 M$ on 5 February 2016 and the 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider that fetched 16,3 M€ / 18,5 M$ on 6 February 2015, the Prancing Horse marque will again be in the limelight with the 1961 Paris Motor Show Ferrari 250 GT SWB that has been in the same ownership for the last 47 years.

Also lining up will be a high calibre of competition cars that have run on the world-famous Le Mans 24 Hour circuit, including a 1977 Porsche 935 (estimate : 1 100 000 – 1 500 000 € / 1 210 000 – 1 650 000 $), raced by Hervé Poulain himself in 1980.

« Le Mans Classic offers an amazing retrospective of the Le Mans 24 Hour race, the greatest motor race in the world. Our sale follows the same format ! With some 115 cars, a third of which will be offered at no reserve, the 2016 Le Mans sale will be the biggest since 2010, the first year of our partnership. Highlights include race cars like the Porsche 935 driven in the 24-Hour race at Le Mans in 1980 by my mentor and friend Maître Hervé Poulain, and other entries ranging from a genuine factory Lancia 037 Group B to the Citroën 2CV Sahara, catering for all tastes and budgets ! » ---Matthieu Lamoure, Managing Director, Artcurial Motorcars

1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB
Berlinetta #2917GT
Presented new at the 1961 Paris Motor Show, this has to be the last 250 GT SWB to have been in the hands of the same owner for the last half century ! Considered by many to be the most beautiful Ferrari ever, this example is one of three fitted from new with Solex carburettors ; it is a matching numbers car (chassis/ engine/ gearbox/ axle). It has never left France, and comes with continuous history and is presented in outstanding condition!

1947 Delage D6 3.0L Grand Prix
Estimate : 1 200 000 – 1 400 000 € / 1 320 000 – 1 540 000 $
The 24 Hour Race at Le Mans is given prominence in this sale with a star from post-war French motor racing : the two-seater Delage that took part in the legendary race in 1949, driven by Auguste Veuillet and Edmond Mouche. It is the only example to retain its original body ! Afficionados will find themselves dreaming in front of the machine that was raced by such distinguished names as Philippe Etancelin, Maurice Trintignant and Charles Pozzi, whose bravery and generosity made a big impact on the motor racing world.

1977 Porsche 935
Estimate: 1 100 000 – 1 500 000 € / 1 210 000 – 1 650 000 $
This 935 is exceptional in more ways than one. It is a genuine racing Porsche in outstanding original condition that has competed three times in the world’s greatest motor race, Le Mans 24 Hours. Several great drivers took to the wheel to compete in the World Endurance Championships in 1978 and 1979. In 1980 auctioneer Hervé Poulain competed in the Le Mans 24 Hour Race in this car, finishing 20th. This outstanding provenance ensures the car is eligible for Le Mans Classic.

1967 Ferrari 330 GTS
Estimate: 1 700 000 – 1 900 000 € / 1 893 116 – 2 115 836 $
With less than one hundred examples of this model produced by Ferrari, this cabriolet is extremely rare. Boasting a 4-litre engine, it was one of the fastest cars on the road in 1967. With Ferrari Classiche Certification, this car is in impeccable condition having been recently restored to an extremely high standard.

1961 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster
Estimate: 700 000 – 1 100 000 € / 770 000 – 1 210 000 $
Another star in this sale is the 1961 Mercedes Benz 300 SL Roadster, offered with the optional hard-top still in its original wooden case and suit-cases too ! This iconic automobile benefits from a top-level restoration and has the ultimate technical developments such as disc brakes and aluminium engine block. The most popular GT car from the period, this is an emblematic model of great appeal to collectors and enthusiasts.