Osenat’s December 2025 sale, which takes place at the Hôtel d’Albe in Fontainebleau, France, sees a fascinating mixture of Italian and British grand tourers alongside some typically very French machinery.
Osenat’s December 2025 sale also sees writer and journalist Dominique Lapierre’s Rolls-Royce up for sale, with half the proceeds going to charity – and there’s a fascinating V12-powered British-engineered and French-built carbon/Kevlar oddity up for grabs as well. We’ve picked out a few of our favourites: what do you fancy as a bit of last-minute Christmas shopping?
This 1965 Ferrari 330 GT 2+2, chassis no. 7815, was delivered new in Italy in November 1965. According to the 330 Register, it left Europe for the US in the early 1970s, where it remained for nearly 50 years before returning to Europe in 2018. The car was originally finished in Azzurro with a beige leather interior; in the mid-1990s it was repainted red and fitted with Borrani wire wheels. A major mechanical overhaul was carried out by specialist LDO Racing in 2022-23, at a cost of more than €13,000. The 330 GT 2+2 is estimated at between €150k and €200k at Osenat’s December 2025 sale.
Produced on March 27, 1958, this Aston Martin DB2/4 MkIII was delivered on May 14, 1958 to Garage Mirabeau, the Aston Martin distributor in France, for Monsieur Henri Borris of Boulevard Lannes, Paris. This car, chassis no. 1453, also equipped with a DBB engine, was used by Robert Bourrely on the 1958 and 1959 Tour Auto. Originally finished in grey, the DB2/4 was ordered in a competition-focused specification. Its equipment included a dual exhaust system, Armstrong dampers, a Lucas dynamo, a Halda tripmaster and three Weber 35 DCO carburettors. Its 195bhp DBB engine was one of the highest-output versions available on the MkIII. Only ten cars were produced in this specification, of which eight were coupés.
In 1961, the Aston Martin was acquired by Mr Molle of Lyon. During his ownership, side vents were added to the front wings, the bonnet and its opening mechanism were modified, and the grille was altered with wider openings to improve cooling performance. In 1966, the car was purchased by Mr Georges Valette for 7500 francs following Mr Molle’s death. The DB2/4 MkIII was later repainted metallic blue and took part in several sporting events, including the Rallye Lyon-Charbonnières in 1978. The Aston Martin was eventually sold in 2012. Between 2014 and 2015 a mechanical restoration was carried out, including a complete engine rebuild plus refurbishment of the running gear, electrical system and cooling circuit at a cost of €105,000. It’s estimated at between €250k and €350k at Osenat’s December 2025 sale.
This 1962 Bentley S3 bodied by Mulliner Park Ward has been in the same ownership since 1988. Delivered new to France, it’s no longer in its original colour and is estimated at between €25k and €45k at Osenat’s December 2025 sale.
Delivered new on October 28, 1959 to Monsieur Oury in Seine-et-Marne, this Facel Vega HK500 was exported to the US the following year. It passed successively through the hands of Mr Bell and then Mr Chip of St Louis (Missouri), who had the car repainted in white. Returning to France a few years later, it was acquired by a Mr Bidel. Between 1994 and 1997, he undertook a complete restoration in the South of France; the bodywork, upholstery and mechanics were completely overhauled at a cost of around €56,400 in today’s money. In 1998, the car was purchased by a French enthusiast living in Arizona, who kept it until 2003. It then passed into the hands of Mr Bouthenet, another French collector living in the US.
In 2007 the HK500 returned to Europe for good, before joining an important private collection in the South of France. In 2021, a thorough mechanical overhaul was carried out, which included removal of the engine, replacement of the steering box and transmission, new ball joints, restoration of the electrical system and work on the pneumatic components. Air-conditioning was also installed at this time. When it goes up for auction at Osenat’s December 2025 sale, the Facel Vega HK500 is estimated at between €100k and €120k.
Delivered new in the UK, this 1966 Aston Martin DB6 (chassis DB6/2902/R) retains its original Caribbean Blue paintwork and black leather interior, and is equipped with a five-speed ZF manual gearbox. It was restored by the French specialist Cecil Cars, a workshop known for its work on classic Aston Martins. Acquired by the current owner in 2017, the car has since participated in a number of Historic events, including the Highland Rally and the Island Rally. It’s estimated at between €250k and €300k at Osenat’s December 2025 sale.
This Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud I, chassis LSMH161, was acquired by the writer and journalist Dominique Lapierre in 1972 and remained in his ownership until 2024. It is now being sold by his daughter Alexandra as part of his estate. Lapierre – known both for his reporting for Paris Match (where he and photographer Jean-Pierre Pedrazzini crossed into the USSR at the wheel of a Simca in the 1950s) and for later literary works such as La Cité de la Joie – used the car extensively, including for long-distance travel.
His experiences with the vehicle contributed to material later referenced in his autobiographical book Mille Soleils. Fifty percent of the sale proceeds will be donated to a charity chosen by Alexandra Lapierre. In preparation for the sale, the car received mechanical work between 2023 and 2024, costing €21,000, carried out by Americo Automobile, a specialist in British cars. At Osenat’s December 2025 sale, it’s estimated at between €30k and €40k.
Osenat’s December 2025 sale also has a selection of distinctly French oddments, including this 1951 Hotchkiss 1350 Anjou. Chassis 2144 was purchased by its most recent owner on April 3, 1990 for 20,000 francs. The car was restored by its keeper approximately 20 years ago and has since been kept in a collection. Its engine is currently seized and will require refurbishment before the vehicle can be returned to running condition. It’s estimated at between €4k and €6k at Osenat’s December 2025 sale.
This 1961 DB Panhard Le Mans Cabriolet, chassis no. 5084, was acquired in 1999 by its last owner as a wreck. He then undertook a complete restoration that lasted more than 15 years, with progressive attention paid to the main mechanical, structural and bodywork elements. Since the owner’s death, the car has been immobile and will need to be refurbished before use. It’s estimated at between €20k and €30k at Osenat’s December 2025 sale.
And finally, something we at Magneto haven’t seen in many of year. Never heard of the Parradine V12? Well, for the uninitiated the Parradine Pegasus was developed by Humberside businessman John Parradine and unveiled at the 1990 Geneva Motor Show. Designed by Richard Oakes, it was among the first production cars to use a composite Kevlar and carbonfibre bodyshell. It was powered by a modified 5.3-litre Jaguar V12 engine. The chassis was a tubular spaceframe constructed from 3.5mm EN50B high-yield steel, designed to withstand torsional loads associated with engines of up to 600bhp.
Callow and Maddox trimmed the interior in Italian saddle hide and buckskin. The intended retail price was £92,000, and the original plan was to produce around 50 cars. Following its reception at Geneva, 398 orders were reportedly placed, each accompanied by a £5000 deposit. The French government subsequently offered a purpose-built production facility at the Magny-Cours circuit.
Jaguar supported the project by supplying components at discounted rates, and chief engineer Jim Randle contributed to development work. In 1991, during the first Gulf War and the subsequent rise in oil prices, French government support was withdrawn after 19 cars had been completed; it’s believed two are running and one perished in a fire in Edinburgh.
Parradine refunded the deposits, closed the operation and returned to Humberside, where he attempted to sell the remaining components. As for the car up for grabs at Osenat’s December 2025 sale, there isn’t a great deal to go on, although it’s suggested that this might be the demonstration car – it’s estimated at between €2k and €3k.
Further details
For more information on Osenat’s December 2025 sale, click here.
