Rétromobile Paris has announced the first confirmed vehicle for its 2027 auction, organised by Gooding Christie’s. It is the Frazer Nash High Speed Competition TMX 545, which finished 3rd overall at the 1949 24 Hours of Le Mans, and will be presented on 4 February in the heart of Pavilion 7.2 at the show.
Published on Sep 9,2026 at 2:12 PM | Updated on Sep 21,2026 at 1:44 PM

Rétromobile 2027: heading towards the show’s official auction

Every year, the Rétromobile auction opens the global automotive season and brings together collectors from all over the world, eager to see rare vehicles that have left their mark on automotive history.

The 51st edition of the world’s most beautiful temporary garage dedicated to classic vehicles will be no exception: Gooding Christie’s, Rétromobile’s official partner, has just announced the first lot available for sale, a Frazer Nash TMX 545. A truly unique model, with a remarkable history and first-class sporting record, it will be presented for the first time at a public auction.

TMX 545, the Frazer Nash that gave its name to the “Le Mans Replica”

Chassis no. 421/100/008, TMX 545 is a Frazer Nash High Speed Competition, a two-seater racing car built in 1949. It reached its sporting peak that same year by taking 3rd place overall at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, a result that prompted Frazer Nash to name all its subsequent High Speed models “Le Mans Replica” — a designation that has since become a reference among collectors of British sports cars.

Purchased new in 1949 by motorcyclist and racing driver Norman Culpan, the car competed in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1949 and again in 1950, before taking part in international events such as BRDC Silverstone, the Manx Cup on the Isle of Man and the Tourist Trophy at Dundrod, Northern Ireland. Culpan retired the car in the early 1950s.

In 1959, TMX 545 changed hands only once: it was acquired by E. C. “Cec” Booth, another enthusiast from Yorkshire. Over fourteen seasons, Booth achieved numerous successes behind the wheel of the Frazer Nash. Upon his death in 2000, the car was passed down to his children, who still own it today. In total, only two owners have held the car in nearly 80 years, with the current family acting as its custodian for 67 years.

For James Knight, Senior Specialist at Gooding Christie’s: “It is rare for such a historic British racing car to come to market with this calibre of achievements: 3rd place at Le Mans, two owners from new, impeccable provenance and the prestige of being the car behind the Le Mans Replica name. In my view, this is the most historically important Frazer Nash still in circulation.”

The Frazer Nash TMX 545 will be presented for the first time at public auction during the Gooding Christie’s auction at Rétromobile Paris, on 4 February 2027. Find the full auction catalogue, soon available, on goodingco.com.

 

A detour to New York whilst waiting for Paris

 

Whilst waiting to see the Frazer Nash on Parisian soil, enthusiasts of fine motor cars can already treat themselves to a first glimpse across the Atlantic. Gooding Christie’s is organising its Rétromobile New York auction on 20 and 21 November 2026, and several gems have already been unveiled.

Among them is a car with a particularly romantic history: the 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4*S NART Spider, which once belonged to Steve McQueen. The actor first came across the model whilst filming *The Thomas Crown Affair*, in which his character, however, snubs the car, referring to it on screen as a “red Italian thing”. In reality, McQueen fell under its spell and immediately ordered his own example, which was delivered that same year in a Blu Sera blue – a colour applied to just two models.

But the sale is not limited to this exceptional car: it also brings together many other exceptional models, including a Mercedes-Benz 300 SL, a BMW 507 and a Ferrari 365 GTS/4 Daytona Spider. Enough to keep you going until February, whilst you wait to see Gooding Christie’s in Paris again. The full list of lots can be viewed at goodingco.com.