PARIS.- Bonhams begin the 2016 season of European motoring sales with an enviable selection of incredible motor cars from across the world’s greatest automotive marques.

An impressive lineup of Ferraris led the sale, with the marque accounting for half of the top ten lots, headed by the 1966 275 GTB Berlinetta, achieving €2,070,000 (£1,559,331). The 275 GTB is considered a masterpiece of motor car design. Boasting a V12, 300 bhp engine, it was the successor to the 250 series, spearheaded by the legendary 250 GTO.

Claiming further successes for the marque, a 2002 Ferrari 550 Barchetta Pininfarina sold for €451,667 (£340,240), a 2010 Ferrari 599 GTO sold for €425,500 (£320,529), and a 2002 Ferrari 575M Maranello coupé sold for a world record price of €345,000 (£259,888).

Philip Kantor, Bonhams European Head of Motoring, said: “Fifty per cent of the top ten lots from today’s sale were from Ferrari, with the remainder coming from Aston Martin, Bentley, Jaguar, Mercedes-Benz and Rolls-Royce. We’re seeing a continued desire for models offered at respectable estimates.

“Bonhams motoring department now look to the Mercedes-Benz sale (Stuttgart, Germany, 19 March), and the Goodwood Members’ Meeting sale (Chichester, UK, 20 March) for further exciting auctions.”

Elsewhere, a generous donor offered his 1969 Mercedes-Benz 280SL Convertible for sale, with proceeds to benefit a Parisien charity. The Fondation de l’Assistance Publique – Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP) is dedicated to supporting post-trauma research, and will receive €80,000 (£61,280) from the sale for their cause.

Further sale highlights include a 1961 Aston Martin DB4 Series IV, sold for €609,500 (£459,136), a 1951 Bentley Petersen 6½-Litre ‘Dartmoor’ coupé, sold for €483,000 (£363,843), and a 1964 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud III Cabriolet sold for €425,500 (£320,529).

Motorcycles saw great results, with 80% of the world renowned MC Collection of 18 motorcycles sold, led by the 1976 Benelli 750 CM3 SEI, sold for €16,675. Further successes include a 1972 Honda CB500R 650CC Racing Motorcycle sold for €88,333 (£66,541), a 1999 MV Agusta 750 CM3 F4 ‘Series Oro’ (£19,058) sold for €25,300, a 1930 Excelsior 750 CM3 Super-X sold for €25,300 (£19,058), a 1996 Honda RVF750 R Type RC45 (£16,026), sold for €21,275 (£19,058), and a 1928 Indian 750 CM3 101 soared above estimate to achieve €25,300 (£19,058).

In 2016 Bonhams European motoring sales will include the recently announced Monaco Sale, taking place 13 May, and returning to France for the Chantilly sale, taking place 4 September.