Chapron collection doesn’t sell well. Market overheated?

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Dutch dentist Richard Reinders had been a Chapron fanatic since ages. He told the auctioneer: “At the age of 12, I discovered the Citroën DS. It was 1968 and this impressive car became a regular visitor in the streets of Maastricht where I lived. I was totally captivated by its shape and beauty, and I understood that is was different to other cars. I promised myself I would have one, one day. ..And so it was that, after my studies, I bought a superb DS 23i injection, and made this first dream come true.”

And it didn’t stay with that one car. Not at all. Reinders’ DS-hunger was further encouraged when he saw a Chapron cabriolet in Paris one day: “I was sitting at a table outside when I saw a magnificent DS convertible go by, black with a black leather interior. I couldn't believe my eyes, it was more than a dream, and I started to run after this car that I'd never seen before.” It became the breeding ground for a collection like not many others. Apart from a one-owner ID 19, Reinders collection contained a very early DS 19 cabriolet with converted nose with double headlights by coachbuilder Pichon-Parat (sold at 92,976 euros), the DS 21 Le Dandy that was shown at the Paris salon de l’automobile in 1965 (sold at 262,240 euros). A DS 19 Palm Beach, sold new in 1965 to a Dutch baronesse (estimated at 400- to 600,000 – not sold). A DS 21 Palm Beach, also an ex-motor show car that was presented by the French government to the president of Ivory Coast (estimated at 400- to 600,000 – not sold). A 1966 DS 21 Cabriolet with just 24,000 kms on the odometer that was used as a parade vehicle by the republic of Djibouti, transporting both general de Gaulle and president Pompidou there (estimated at 300- to 500,000 – not sold). A DS 21 Lorraine – the first one built – that was also a show car in ’69 (estimated at 100- to 150,000 – not sold). Plus another DS 23 Lorraine of 1975 – the last one built – that was sold new to a French noble lady (estimated at 180- to 260,000 – not sold).

And so it looks the majority of these cars will remain in the Dutch collection. The reason? A spokesman of Artcurial carefully suggested us: “Too many Chapron cars at too high estimates..?

(Words editor, pictures Jeroen Booij/Artcurial Motorcars)

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