Mochet CM-125

Posted on December 3, 2018 by classiccarweekly

1954 Mochet CM-125 Luxe

Offered by RM Sotheby’s | Los Angles, California | December 8, 2018

Photo Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s

Georges Mochet built microcars in Puteaux between 1946 and 1958. Prior to that he built pedal-powered cars under the Velocar name. But when he started powering them (even in desperate, post-war Europe, people weren’t necessarily thrilled with having to pedal), sales took off.

Early cars were kind of bizarre, but the company hit their stride once the Mochet Type K gave way to the CM-125. Power in this little runabout is from a 125cc single-cylinder engine that made five horsepower. That may sound sad, but in France at the time that meant you didn’t even need a driver’s license to operate one (and they are street legal). It would even evolve a commercial variant.

This example was part of the Bruce Weiner collection, where it was restored. It is now offered with an estimate of $35,000-$45,000. Find out more here and see the rest of the RM Sotheby’s Petersen lineup here.

Update: Sold $25,200.

Matra Djet V

Posted on October 17, 2013 by classiccarweekly

1966 Matra Djet V Luxe

Offered by Artcurial | Paris, France | October 20, 2013

The Matra Djet (which is pronounced “Jet”) was a sports car built by French Matra – who built sports cars, racing cars of all varieties and all kinds of weaponry and aeronautic equipment. Matra stopped producing cars in the mid-1980s, but soldiered on producing cars for other manufacturers until 2003.

The Djet was originally known as the Rene Bonnet Djet beginning in 1962. Near the end of 1964, Rene Bonnet was in financial trouble and Matra bailed them out (and basically took over the company). The Djet was slightly redesigned and put back into production by Matra in 1965 – and it lasted through 1967.

This is a Djet V model, which means it uses a mid-mounted 1.1-liter Renault straight-four making 70 horsepower. It’s a sporty little car that can attain 106 mph. This example has been professionally restored, has been in the same family since new and has only covered 26,000 miles in its life. Only 1,495 Matra Djets were built. It should sell for between $40,000-$55,000. Click here for more info and here for the rest of Artcurial’s auction lineup.

Update: Sold $67,432.

Bugatti Type 40 Roadster

Posted on May 14, 2013 by classiccarweekly

1929 Bugatti Type 40 Roadster Luxe

Offered by RM Auctions | Lake Como, Italy | May 25, 2013

The Bugatti Type 40 was the follow-up model to the successful Brescia. It was the “light” Bugatti, introduced in 1926 and built through 1930, making this car from the second-to-last year of manufacture. In all, more than 780 were built.

The engine was a 1.5-liter straight-four making 45 horsepower. This car is one of 42 built with Jean Bugatti’s “Roadster Luxe” bodywork. It is a highly desirable pre-war sports car design. This is one of four delivered new to Paris, but the identity of the first owners is not known.

The current owner acquired it in 1984 and had it repainted to match the color combination of Jean Bugatti’s personal Type 40 Roadster – black and red. The black wheels are a nice touch, too. This car has all of its original parts and is highly original. It is the 22nd Jean Bugatti Roadster built and one of only 13 that still survive today. A couple hundred thousand dollars is a reasonable price (as in the $325,000-$390,000 range). Click here for more info and here for more from RM at Villa Erba.

Update: Sold $422,240.