A princely collection of Royal family’s cars has just been put up for auction. From everyday to luxury, the twentieth century of motoring went under the hammer.
Monte Carlo is well-known for the super cars found there, whether during the Monaco Grand Prix, or otherwise throughout the year. It has just played host to a particularly stellar collection of motoring history.
Artcurial Motorcars has just held an auction in the tiny principality of Monaco which was fit for a King. The principal reason for such an auction was that Prince Albert II of Monaco chose to sell-off thirty-eight of the cars from his late father’s collection of more than one hundred. The Prince says that he wishes to change the collection somewhat, so perhaps he is creating some space, or needs a cash injection for his next acquisitions.
On the topic of the exquisite collection he said that “the Princes of Monaco have always been passionate about motor cars. Prince Pierre initiated the Grand Prix in 1929, and competed in it, in a Torpedo. My father, Prince Rainier, took over the development of the race, which has today become one of the most prestigious events in the world. He also supported the Historic Grand Prix, which was established in 1997 and has enjoyed enormous success. Together, we established a private collection of classic cars which is particularly close to my heart. I now wish to add some new models to the collection.”
Prince Rainier III, the widower of Princess Grace, née Grace Kelly, spent years indulging in his passion for motorsport and motorcars and put together this collection which when assembled, took on the auspices of a motoring parade through the Twentieth Century. The cars range from those for everyman to those for royalty, for workday to sporty, and commonplace to unique.
Clients for the auction could have included millionaires and the common man, as none of the cars had a reserve price. Some of the cars were listed as starting from just a few thousand pounds, up to hundreds of thousands of pounds. The auction thus was billed as a ‘unique opportunity to acquire a motor car from one of the most well known collections, from the most famous and prestigious Principalities’, basically to own a piece of history. Not only were the cars often in immaculate collection, as they have been displayed at the Terrace of the Fontveille Museum in Monaco, but they have been touched by the hand of royalty.
An A to Z of cars produced by marques around the world, the collection included such entry-level models as a 1976 VW Beetle with a guide price of £3200. It is described as being in ‘very good condition’ but with a minor fuel pump fault. This could be an ideal starter project for the vintage car enthusiast.
Also in the more affordable ranks was a 1971 Fiat 500 expected to sell for about £4800.
In the family car segment were two Citroën sedans. A 1981 CX Reflex D Break and a 1980 CX 2400 Pallas were expected to reach about £8000 and £3200 respectively.
The eclectic mix continued with cars from outside Europe as well. An American muscle car in the form of a 1970s Chevrolet Camaro 4.1 litre hoped to attract about £6500 from the right buyer.
More expensive models included a Porsche 928S Coupé with 4.7 litre V8 engine, billed to sell for £12,000. Also at the top end of the mix, expected to fetch a similar price, was a 1983 Mercedes-Benz 500 SEC AMG, ordered new by Prince Rainier. Built especially for him, the car features special detailing by AMG, who included a package of special steering wheel, rear spoiler, unique side sills, custom alloy wheels, suspension with lowered springs, and an integral paint to cover the entire car inclusive of the grill and window surrounds.
Special for another reason, some of the oldest cars in the portfolio were the vintage 1913 Panhard & Levassor X19 roadster, expected to go for between £25,000 and £35,000, and the 1925 Citroën 5 HP Torpédo Trèfle. The Super-Culasse was priced at £12,000 to £15,000
Other cars included in this myriad mix included a 1937 Jaguar, 1939 Simca 5, 1950s Bentley S1, a 1953 Cadillac, 1955 Citroën Traction 11C Commerciale, a 1964 Dodge Dart, 1968 NSU Sport Prinz Coupé, and 1969 Siata Spring Roadster.
Whether of millionaire status or not, all motoring fans were welcome at this auction.
If you’re looking for something more modern, we have a lot to offer from a Bentley Mulsanne, to a Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 Spyder! Call us on 0845 370 2222 or email us at sales@signaturecarhire.co.uk.