Matra, Group B, Kit-car: the results of the La Parisienne sale

The hammer of Maître Hervé Poulain fell on the La Parisienne sale organized by Artcurial this Friday, February 5 in Paris. The event sale comprising several relics of motorsport history resulted in high acquisition prices, particularly for the Matra MS 670.

The French prototype, winner of 24 Hours of Le Mans 1972 with Graham Hill and Henri Pescarolo, was valued between 4 and 7 million euros. Ultimately, it sold for 5 million euros, a price that reaches 6,7 million euros when adding costs. Its owner is obviously unknown at present, but we can bet that the French public will be able to admire this flagship of French industry, previously preserved at the Matra Museum in Romorantin (Loir-et-Cher).

Another prestigious lot, the seven Group Bs sold by the Manoir de l’Automobile de Lohéac (Ille-et-Vilaine). The Audi Quattro S1, one of the last manufactured by the German firm as part of the Race of Champions in 1989 at Monthléry, sold for more than its valuation (max 1,3 million euros) at 1,725 million euros.

Winner at the 1986 Tour de Corse with Bruno Saby and Jean-François Faucille, the Peugeot 205 T16 Evolution 2 was exchanged for 820 euros. The French driver was also represented through his Lancia Delta S000 in the French Championship of rallycross from 1988, sold for 680 euros.

The “bargains” (all things considered) were to be found on the side of the Ford RS200, holder of the manufacturer's best result during its brief excursion in Group B (3rd in the Rally of Sweden 1986 with Kalle Grundel-Benny Melander), sold for 320 euros Finally, the MG Metro 000R6 of Didier Auriol and Bernard Occelli, victorious in the 4 French Rally Championship, went for 1986 euros.

Finally, we note that kit cars from the 1990s are starting to appear among the good value investments. There Renault Clio Maxi passed into the hands of Jean Ragnotti (with Gilles Thimonier on his right) in 1995 and reached 157 euros! Its big sister, the R000 Turbo from Group B ex-Carlos Sainz, remains much more expensive: 560 euros.