F1, Le Mans, Rally: the gems from the Artcurial sale at Rétromobile 2020

The tradition is well established. Every February, an auction punctuates the Rétromobile show in Paris. For the 2020 edition (February 5 to 9), the French house Artcurial will offer a slew of exceptional vehicles on February 7, with a section reserved for competition. Here are the most beautiful cars to buy… or admire:

Ferrari 126 C3 

We grant you, it is not the easiest name to remember, but it has marked the history of the Formula 1. Built in the summer of 1983, the 126 C3 was the first car in carbon fiber created in the Maranello workshops. 

Lighter than its predecessor, it is also more powerful. Its “small” engine 6-liter V1,5 Turbo, open to 120 degrees, develops 600 horsepower for a total weight of 552 kg! 

Four chassis were built, including number 068, the one put on sale at Rétromobile. He fails to Rene Arnoux during the Austrian Grand Prix. The Frenchman is coming off two victorious rounds in Germany and the Netherlands, which means he is in full swing.

The European champion of Formula 2 will swing his car through the high-speed curves of the old Zeltweg circuit (now the Red Bull Ring these days), but will finish on the heels of Nelson Piquet (Brabham), in second place. 

This will be the only Grand Prix participation of this car, which will find a reconversion in private tests. Then, the French importer Charles Pozzi took control of the car, before it was sold to Michel Hommell (founder in particular of AUTOhebdo), who will keep it in his Manoir de l'Automobile in Lohéac (Ille-et-Vilaine) until today. 

Estimate: from 600 to 000 million euros

Ford Escort RS Mk1 600 Gr.2

Do you like permanent glide and minimal grip? Here is a car made for you. The Escort is "the" model which gave Ford the competitive image, thanks to its commitments in rally, as early as 1968.

Of course, there are tons of Escorts. But this copy is a treasure, nothing more, nothing less! She won the 1 Lakes Rally (former name of Rally Finland) in 000 with the crew Timo Mäkinen and Henry Liddon. Timo Mäkinen is considered one of the first “Flying Finns” of the World Rally Championship.

Estimate: between 180 and 000 euros 

Jaguar XJ220C Le Mans

Little known, this creation is to die for. The Jaguar JX 220 in Le Mans configuration is one of the most beautiful GTs of the 1990s. Following on from its two victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1988 and 1990 with the XJ-R 8 and XR 12 prototypes, the Tom Walkinshaw team Racing senses the right marketing move when the English brand announces the XJ 220 supercar.

The GT category welcomes this Competition version (the “C” of the name) during the 1993 edition. The 6 liter twin-turbo V3 is curbed in its ardor because of the regulations and the power oscillates between 5 and 500 horsepower for a maximum capacity of 680 canassons.

Three examples are entered, including this model, reserved for Paul Belmondo, Jay Cochran and Andreas Fuchs. The latter took the lead in the category in the morning, but had to give up after a spin and a crack in the cylinder head gasket. 

Two years later, the British Richard Piper, James Weaver and Tiff Needell were even less lucky, with an engine failure. Since then, this GT has been carefully preserved by a Japanese enthusiast. 

Estimate: between 900 and 000 million euros

Rondeau M378 Le Mans GTP

It would take a novel to compile all the adventures of this prototype on the circuits. Built by craftsman Jean Rondeau, this M378 took part in… 10 editions of the 24 Hours of Le Mans!

This record number of starts for a car is accompanied by a laudatory track record: second in 1981, third in 1980 and fifth in 1979, not to mention 19 other races across Europe. 

Equipped with the famous engine V8 Cosworth DFV, the Rondeau perhaps does not win the prize for the most beautiful rolling object, but rather the prize for melody. Furthermore, of big names will sit behind the wheel : Bernard Darniche, Philippe Streiff, Jean-Louis Schlesser, Vic Elford, in particular! 

The Rondeau is presented at Rétromobile in its 1980 Belga decoration, which corresponds to the third place of Gordon Spice and the brothers Jean-Michel and Philippe Martin, with victory in GTP. We could see her again soon during the Le Mans Classic…