Record for first EV

An auction of the first all-electric car has set a new world record at the Paris Motor Show.  Coys ran the auction of rare and classic cars at the show, Mondial de l’Automobile, on Saturday, October 8. The 2009 Tesla Roadster ‘Signature Edition’ was the first ever Tesla delivered to Europe. It sold for NZ$79,000. Tesla is fast becoming the market leader for the modern-day car and there is little doubt that this early, historically important all-electric car will be one of the classics of the future. Another highlight of the auction was the sale of the 1973 Ferrari 365 GT4, heavily featured in the 2003 film Ferrari, depicting Enzo Ferrari’s rise to one of the most famous entrepreneurs of all time. The car was sold to a Ferrari collector in New Zealand for NZ$118,000. Estimates indicate more than 2,000 people attended the prestigious auction, says Coys CEO Chris Routledge. “The event is about passion, enthusiasm, seeing the cars you love… the auction was about the aspiration to buy the car of your dreams, so we brought a very broad selection of cars, coming from every corner of France and all over Europe, that visitors, as well as collectors, could access.” Another highlight of the Paris Motor Show was the rare 1931 Cadillac Fleetwood Drophead Coupe, liveried in real 24-carat gold leaf, which once belonged to the flamboyant pianist Liberace. This sold for NZ$153,000. Other collectors’ cars that went under the hammer include two Porsche 356 Pre A: a 1955 cabriolet, which sold for NZ$406,000; and a 1953 1500 S coupe for NZ$441,000 – both to the same buyer. Other sales include a 2009 Ferrari 430 Scuderia for NZ$265,000; a 1954 Corvette C1 for more than NZ$109,000; and a 1990 Lamborghini Countach Anniversary, with less than 400 miles (644km) on the clock, for NZ$571,000.