Collection Petitjean

About

The Petitjean Collection is a private automobile collection built over nearly five decades by Marcel Petitjean, a former racing driver and long-time enthusiast based in Strasbourg, France. The collection eventually grew to over 100 cars, focusing primarily on postwar European marques, with a strong emphasis on Ferrari and other Italian sports cars from the 1950s through the 1980s.

Marcel Petitjean began acquiring cars in the early 1970s, using his experience as a driver and his network in the automotive world to source cars from across Europe. Many of the vehicles were purchased during a time when values were lower, often directly from their first or second owners. He prioritized originality and mechanical completeness over restoration, which meant many cars remained in preserved but unrestored condition for decades.

The collection also included several models from Maserati, Lamborghini, Porsche, Mercedes-Benz, Alfa Romeo, and Lancia. Cars were kept in dry storage in a facility near Strasbourg and remained largely unseen by the public until their sale.

In 2020 and 2022, RM Sotheby’s presented the Petitjean Collection for public sale in two phases, including both the Ferrari-focused segment and a broader offering of European classics. These events brought significant attention due to the size of the collection, the long-term ownership, and the number of rare models in unmodified condition.

According to Petitjean, the aim was never speculation but the personal enjoyment of preserving examples of automotive history for future generations.