Every year, the classic car fair Auto e Moto d'Epoca attracts not only enthusiasts and collectors from Italy, but also from Switzerland, Germany and Austria, as well as many other countries. This provides an opportunity to use the public's interest for an auction, which Bonhams did for the first time in 2017.
On October 27, 2018, the Padua Auction took place for the second time on Saturday afternoon and Bonhams had worked hard to put together an attractive selection of 58 vehicles (the Alfa Romeo 155 GTA was unfortunately withdrawn before the auction).
In the middle price segment
With vehicles worth a total of EUR 4.7 million (CHF 6 million) and an expected average price per lot of EUR 92,300 (CHF 105,000), the Padua auction was in the mid-price segment. 13 lots were called without a reserve price.
Cautious bidders?
In the end, only 55 percent of the vehicles were sold, with 26 lots remaining unsold. The average highest bid was also around 25 percent below the median estimate.
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Karin Dors 300 SL
Karin Dor's white Mercedes-Benz 300 SL from 1987 sold above the estimate. The actress became internationally famous through her appearance in the James Bond film "You Only Live Twice", and Winnetou fans will remember her as Ribanna ("Winnetou II").
She has also appeared in many crime thrillers (including Edgar Wallace adaptations). She drove the car until her death in 2017 and the car was estimated at EUR 30,000 to 40,000. The buyer ultimately paid EUR 43,700 (CHF 49,673), so one can assume a movie star premium of around 25 percent.
The second car with famous previous ownership was not sold. Anita Ekberg's former Jaguar XK 140 SE Roadster from 1956 sold for EUR 150,000, which was well below expectations of EUR 180,000 to 220,000.
Alfa Romeo, Fiat, etcetera
In total, the 57 cars on offer came from 23 manufacturers, Alfa Romeo was represented with seven cars, Fiat with six, Ferrari with five and Maserati with three. However, the Porsche contingent was even larger, accounting for eight vehicles, while BMW had four and Mercedes-Benz two. There were hardly any truly exotic brands on offer in Padua.
It was also a Porsche that clearly exceeded expectations, namely a Porsche 911 Carrera 3.2 Liter Coupé from 1987, which passed into new hands for EUR 49,450 (CHF 56,209).
Mainly post-war cars
The average age of the vehicles is 47 years; only two cars, a Fiat 1500 Cabriolet by Viotti from 1937 and a Horch 830 BL Cabriolet from 1939, date from the years before the Second World War.
However, the two pre-war cars did not do very well. The Horch was not sold at all (highest bid EUR 260,000), while the Fiat found a new buyer for EUR 72,450 (CHF 82,353), well below expectations.
Attractive BMW coupés
Bonhams was able to offer two 635 variants from BMW on October 27, 2018, a 635 CSi from 1982 and an M635 CSi from 1986 with the famous M1 engine. The estimated values were within the usual range. Nevertheless, the M635 CSi from 1986 was not sold (highest bid EUR 38,000). The 635 CSI Coupé from 1982 could be purchased for EUR 17,250 (CHF 19,608).
A rare guest at auctions to date is the BMW i8, which Bonhams was able to offer in the coupé version from 2014. An estimate of EUR 75,000 to 100,000 was given here, but only EUR 56,350 (CHF 64,053) was paid, as the BMW, like 12 other vehicles, was sold without a reserve price.
Early E-Types generated interest
Two Series 1 E-Types and a Series 3 V12 Roadster feature in the Bonhams catalog for the Padua auction. At EUR 200,000 to 250,000, the 1961 Flat-Floor Roadster was the highest priced car of the three.
EUR 212,750 (CHF 241,832) was ultimately paid for the early E-Type, while the '62 coupé went for EUR 12,750 (CHF 137,256) and the V12 was left standing.
Flagship Ferrari 250 GT
A 1960 Ferrari 250 GT Series II Coupé from Maranello came to Padua, estimated at EUR 540,000 to 640,000, making it the most valuable car at the auction.
It didn't quite turn out to be that much, the new owner had to pay EUR 508,196 (CHF 577,667) for the coupé.
While the 308 GTS from 1978 was sold for EUR 51,750 (CHF 58,824), the highest bid of EUR 104,000 for the polyester GTB from 1976 was not enough for a successful trade.
Exotic items too
Of course, Bonhams also has some exotic classics up for auction in Padua, such as the 1971 Lancia Fulvia Zagato Coupé (estimate EUR 35,000 to 55,000), which sold for EUR 39,100 (CHF 44,444).
The Fiat-Abarth Allemano Spider from 1958 found a new owner for EUR 57,500 (CHF 65,360), while the post-war Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 Sport from 1949 could not be knocked down at a maximum bid of EUR 88,000 (estimated value EUR 100,000 to 130,000).
The NSU Sport Prinz from 1966 is likely to be exotic, especially in Italy. However, nobody wanted to bid more than EUR 12,000 (estimated value EUR 15,000 to 25,000).
In the end, there were no real bargains in Padua, although the Fiat 500 L from 1969 can certainly be considered a bargain at EUR 6325 (CHF 7189), as can the Mercedes-Benz 220 S Cabriolet from 1957, which found its way into a new garage for EUR 46,000 (CHF 52,288).
Offered and Sold Vehicles
The following table lists all offered and sold vehicles with estimated prices, highest bids, and sale prices. The price conversion was made at the exchange rate valid on the auction day. All information is provided without guarantee.
| Lot | Car | Year | EUR Est from | EUR Est to | EUR HP | EUR SP | CHF SP | % Est | S |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fiat 500 L Saloon | 1969 | 7000 | 10'000 | 5500 | 6325 | 7210 | -25.59%
|
V |
| 2 | Alfa Romeo Spider 1300 Junior | 1973 | 18'000 | 22'000 | 14'000 | 16'100 | 18'354 | -19.5%
|
V |
| 3 | NSU Sport Prinz Coupé | 1966 | 15'000 | 25'000 | 12'000 | N | |||
| 4 | BMW 320 Cabriolet | 1978 | 12'000 | 18'000 | 16'000 | 18'400 | 20'976 | +22.67%
|
V |
| 5 | Triumph TR3 Roadster | 1957 | 35'000 | 40'000 | 28'000 | N | |||
| 6 | Bentley Continental R Coupé | 1995 | 30'000 | 40'000 | 31'000 | 35'650 | 40'641 | +1.86%
|
V |
| 7 | Jaguar E-Type Series 3 V12 Roadster | 1973 | 85'000 | 115'000 | 65'000 | N |
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All information is provided without guarantee.
Legend: Column S = Status (V = Sold, N = Not sold, Z = Withdrawn, U = Under reserve)
Est = Estimate, HP = Hammer Price, SP = Sale Price
