1955 Jaguar D-Type €3,696,000.00. Photo: Simon Clay ©2013 Courtesy of RM Auctions. 

PARIS.- RM Auctions announced the highly successful results of its debut sale in Paris on the 5 February, 2014, posting a total sales figure of €17,701,680, with 80 percent of all lots sold. 

The star of the night was the truly wonderful 1955 Jaguar D-Type, part of the Harburg Collection, which sold for €3,696,000, establishing a new world record for a D-Type at auction. Chassis XKD 520, which boasts an extensive early racing history, was the seventh production D-type made and was sold new to Australian, Bob Stillwell, who raced the car with great success in the 1956 and 1957 seasons, including the 1956 Bathurst 500. Unquestionably one of the best production D-Types in existence, this remarkable car presented collectors with an exceptionally rare opportunity. 

1955 Jaguar D-Type €3,696,000.00. Photo: Simon Clay ©2013 Courtesy of RM Auctions.

Another car from the Harburg Collection, and the second biggest seller of the night, was the awe-inspiring 1982 Porsche 956 Group C Sports-Prototype , chassis 004, which ran as a Works car at Le Mans finishing 3rd in ’82 driven by Haywood/Holbert/Barth, completing a historic podium clean sweep for the Porsche Works team that year. With continued history as a Works car during 1983 and 1984, chassis 004 was the focus of much attention during the auction, which ultimately resulted in a record price of €2,352,000.

1982 Porsche 956 Group C Sports-Prototype €2.352.000. Photo: Simon Clay ©2013 Courtesy of RM Auctions.

Another stunning Harburg car, the glorious 1955 Ferrari 750 Monza Spider, chassis 0498 M, boasting a remarkable, fully documented, race history, secured €1,960,000, rounding off the top three sellers of the auction. 

1955 Ferrari 750 Monza Spider by Scaglietti €1.960.000. Photo: Simon Clay ©2013 Courtesy of RM Auctions.

Not content with securing the top three sales of the night, another Harburg car, the delightful 1964 Porsche 904 Carrera GTS, also generated huge interest, not least because of its remarkable period racing history in the hands of well-known privateer racer and Works Frazer Nash driver, Dickie Stoop. Presented in immaculate condition, the car achieved an impressive €1,288,000. 

1964 Porsche 904 Carrera GTS €1.288.000. Photo: Simon Clay ©2013 Courtesy of RM Auctions.

Max Girardo, managing director, RM Europe, said: “We’ve had a fantastic night here in Paris. We wanted our debut sale to impress by bringing some exceptional cars to market, and with over €17.7m sold and almost 80 percent of all lots finding new homes, we have continued our amazing track record in Europe. Without a doubt, it was an honour to offer the Harburg Collection, which perfectly demonstrates that the market is hungry for quality cars with important historical provenance”. 

Another lot worthy of particular note, is the 1971 Mercedes-Benz 600 Six-Door Pullman Landaulet, a totally original example of this incredibly rare German limousine, which was offered in untouched ‘barn find’ condition, and which ultimately sold for an astounding €537,600, against its pre-sale estimate of €80,000-€120,000. 

1971 Mercedes-Benz 600 'Six-Door' Pullman Landaulet €537,600. Photo: Simon Clay ©2013 Courtesy of RM Auctions.

RM Auctions Paris 2014 Top Ten Sales

1. 1955 Jaguar D-Type €3,696,000.00

2. 1982 Porsche 956 Group C Sports-Prototype €2,352,000.00

3. 1955 Ferrari 750 Monza Spider €1,960,000.00

4. 1964 Porsche 904 Carrera GTS €1,288,000.00

5. 1936 Delahaye 135 S €1,008,000.00. Photo: Simon Clay ©2013 Courtesy of RM Auctions.

6. 1957 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster €823,200.00. Photo: Simon Clay ©2013 Courtesy of RM Auctions.

7. 1971 Mercedes-Benz 600 'Six-Door' Pullman Landaulet €537,600.00

8. 1971 Lamborghini Miura P400 S ‘SV Specification’ €520,800.00. Photo: Simon Clay ©2013 Courtesy of RM Auctions.

9. 1990 Ferrari F40 €515,200.00. Photo: Simon Clay ©2013 Courtesy of RM Auctions.

10. 1953 Mercedes-Benz 300 S Roadster €448,000.00. Photo: Simon Clay ©2013 Courtesy of RM Auctions.