Since 1976, the Parisian exhibition Retromobile has been a marquee event on serious car collectors’ calendars. The annual car show, and corresponding auction, has assembled an elite selection of antique and classic cars at the Paris Expo Porte de Versailles. Now, this exclusive showcase heads to New York this fall. On November 20 and 21, Gooding Christie’s will host the Retromobile New York Auctions as the official auction house for the event's debut at the Javits Center where over 160 unique cars and motorcycles will be up for bids.
This inaugural auction is headlined by a 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4*S NART Spider that was first sold to the legendary movie star Steve McQueen and later customized by him. “Of all the high-profile cars owned by the iconic Steve McQueen, this NART Spider remains the most elusive and mythical, spending most of its time with the famed actor, and even thereafter, away from the public eye,” said David Gooding, President of Gooding Christie’s. “We are honored to bring this NART Spider to public auction for the very first time. Few cars are as fitting as this Ferrari, with its rarity, beauty, and cultural relevance, to star as the headlining lot for our inaugural New York Auctions at Retromobile this November.”
In addition to this automotive masterpiece, car aficionados will also discover a curated array of classic and contemporary cars from the most iconic brands, including Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz, Jaguar, RUF, Bugatti, Siata, BMW, Porsche, Bentley, and more.
These are six cars not to miss at this exciting debut auction:
1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4*S NART Spider | Estimate $15,000,000-20,000,000
The star of the very first Retromobile New York Auctions, this 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4*S NART Spider was the personal acquisition of Steve McQueen, whose appreciation of racecars has been well documented in cinema. The NART Spider was the brainchild of Luigi Chinetti, who founded NART (the North American Racing Team) and imported Ferraris to the U.S. He envisioned a sportier version of the Ferrari 275 GTB with a 3.3-liter, four-cam V-12 engine and open convertible top, and Scaglietti built just 10 models according to these specifications. Two were finished in Blu Sera (Evening Blue). McQueen purchased one of the two new Blu Sera models in 1967 and customized the ultra-rare car to his liking, such as repainting the exterior a different shade of blue, restitching the seats, and reconfiguring the dashboard. After passing through the collections of just three subsequent owners, this highly prized NART Spider will now come up for auction for the first time with an estimate of $15 to $20 million.
1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Alloy Gullwing | Estimate: $4,000,000-6,000,000
An icon of post-war innovation, the Mercedes-Benz 300 series was defined by its three-liter six-cylinder engine. In 1952, the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing racecar won at Le Mans, and soon a Gullwing was planned for production. The Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Alloy Gullwing featured high horsepower, aerodynamic stability, and lightweight design. Just 2% of the production was built with an aluminium body, as in this 1955 model, which was the third built. It was loaned to Lance Reventlow, a young driver with prominent pedigree, to race at local California events, and he described it as “two cars in one… One is a lamb and the other is a raging lion.” This silver Gullwing features a beautiful red leather interior, as well as its original Rudge wheels and concave-star grille.
1953 Siata 208 CS Berlinetta | Estimate: $1,500,000-2,000,000
Siata (which stands for Società Italiana Auto Trasformazioni Accessori) was founded in 1926 to design post-production equipment for Fiat cars. In 1950, the company evolved to produce its own cars, combining its famous manufacturing with elegant design. The 1953 Siata 208 CS Berlinetta was built around Fiat’s two-liter V-8 engine and renowned for its lightweight chassis. This particular version is one of just nine built by bespoke coachbuilder Carrozzeria Balbo before their closure in 1954, and only six of these remain today. This Siata has recently been fully restored to concours condition, making its debut at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance® 2025 where it won First in Class and the Most Elegant Sports Car Trophy.
1965 Ferrari 275 GTB | Estimate: $2,250,000-2,500,000
Introduced in 1964, the Ferrari 275 GTB was produced in a variety of models, but the “short-nose” configuration is an identifier of its early design. With less than 250 built in this version, the 1965 Ferrari 275 GTB is an icon of Ferrari, combining the brand’s racing spirit with sleek luxury. This well-preserved car includes the original engine and pioneering cast-alloy Campagnolo “Sunburst” alloy wheels. It was one of just 11 originally delivered in Oro Chiaro; though it was later finished in the eye-catching Ferrari red. Inside it boasts a black leather interior, offset by a wood-veneer steering wheel and dashboard.
1963 Ferrari 250 GT Lusso | Estimate: $1,400,000-1,600,000
Having debuted in 1962, the pinnacle of the Ferrari GT 250 was the Lusso (the Italian word for luxury). One of just 350 Lussos built, this 1963 Ferrari 250 GT Lusso features elegant aesthetics that echo its luxurious name. The sleek, timeless body features a low eggcrate grille and long hood and the exterior was originally finished in Grigio Argento (Silver Gray). While it represents the ultimate comfort of a grand tourer, the Lusso also boasts top-level engineering, including a three-liter Colombo V-12 engine and independent front suspension. This car was once owned in 1964 by Romeo Toninelli, an important Milanese art gallerist.
1972 Ferrari 365 GTS/4 Daytona Spider | Estimate: $1,750,000-2,250,000
The 1972 Ferrari 365 GTS/4 was one of the final front-engine V-12 GT models that Ferrari produced and was named the Daytona after Ferrari swept the podium at the 1967 24 Hours of Daytona. It was described as “a Grand Touring car par excellence” after its debut. In 1969, Ferrari showcased a sportier version: the Daytona Spider. With just 121 Daytona Spiders produced, this ultra-rare car is an icon of the Ferrari road cars. This model at auction was one of only four finished in Azzuro Dino blue, but was repainted in signature Ferrari red in the 1970s. It has been in the same collection for over 40 years and registers less than 40,000 miles. The car is poised for a complete restoration, and could be restored to its original Azzurro Dino.
Discover all of these cars and much more at Gooding Christie’s inaugural Retromobile New York Auctions at the Javits Center on Friday, November 20, at 11:00 a.m. EST and Saturday, November 21, at 11:00 a.m. EST. View the Online Catalogue and Register to Bid.
