Online only auctions have slid into one of the most exciting auction houses with such an ease and success that from now on, the house is going to rely mostly on its online sales when the danger of the pandemic is still around. The latest auction was RM Sotheby’s Petitjean Collection of valuable cars that took place between June 3rd and June 11th. With a total of 19,246,540 euro, it set a new record, as the most expensive online collection auction of cars so far.
The European Sale had a lot to show to the public. One of the gems of limited edition was Porsche 2020 935 “Martini”. The final price for this exceptionally pricy vehicle was the 1.32 million euro bid, just seconds before the closing of the lot.
The Online Success of RM Sotheby’s Petitjean Collection Auction

Source: RM Sotheby’s
For RM Sotheby’s team, this online format of action was quite successful. Overall, 91% of the lots were sold, making it a worthy event. There were visitors from 48 countries across the world, which is another indicator that auctions through the internet are full of benefits. During RM Sotheby’s Petitjean Collection auction, an interesting statistics shows that 41% of the buyers were making their purchases through RM Sotheby’s first time ever. However the age group of this people is not precise, as the auction house does not reveal these details. Another spectacular fact is that, the event has the most registered be there’s so far at the house’s online auctions.
There were examples from previous events that never took place because of the spreading of COVID-19. In that list, several models from Essen Auction had lots. Moreover, Techno Classica Essen motor show was also cancelled due to the safety concerns. European Sales did not have this chance before to be displayed on online auction, so this was a huge achievement for European cars too. On average, each of the cars had 25 bids, while the most demanded ones had up to 70.
Impressive offerings included such cabriolets as Bugatti Type 57 by Gangloff. This car was created in 1939, which made it one of the oldest cars available for the bid at RM Sotheby’s Petitjean Collection. Lucien Schlatter was the brain behind the coachwork. The honoured engine of Bugatti that brought Grand Prix in the past was the 8-cylinder motor. Before the closing of the bid, sensational 770,000 euros were offered for this Bugatti model of “Pre-war”.
The List Included Lamborghini Models of the Late 1970s

Source: RM Sotheby’s
Lamborghini had its place in the lots and biddings too. one of the most Wanted models was 1968 Lamborghini Miura P400, which had a distinctive chassis of thin gauge. One of the bidders offered 715,000 euros, and this was the last request for the Miura model. The original owner, M. Petitjean had it since 1979.
Selling by nearly the half of the price of Miura P400, another 1979 model by Lamborghini – Countach LP 400 S was in demand too. The car had a 4 liter V12 engine, which was a huge spec in the measurements of its time. At RM Sotheby’s Petitjean Collection auction, it was sold by 451,000 euro. First-gen series of LP400 S were limited edition and only 50 examples had their place in the market. 33 years being in the collection of Petitjean, now the car was desired more than ever.

Other High-Performing Models
RUF CTR2 Sport stood out from the rest of the models with its eye-catching characteristics. This model has just 2 existing examples. Both of them were built for the 1997 Peak International Hill Climb. 993-gen 911 Turbo feels so smooth on this supercar by RUF! No collector would be disappointed with such an exciting model in his or her garage. Thus, the last bid for the CTR2 Sport registered 682,000 euro. Among the breathtaking list of RM Sotheby’s Petitjean collection one could find also other brands’ notable creations, such as 1967 Aston Martin DB6 Volante (tagged at 627,000 euro). Restored cars had also their honoured place during RM Sotheby’s Petitjean Collection Auction. Lancia 037 Stradale of the year 1981 was a worthy lot, with humble 451,000 euro.

Even though the previous events of motor shows and auctions were cancelled, the online auction perhaps brought more attention because the display was a long waited one.
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