The atmosphere resembled that of a folk festival, business at the bratwurst stand was booming and the numerous visitors to the auction at the Oldtimer Gallery in Toffen on April 26, 2014 seemed cheerful. And the auction catalog gave rise to anticipation.
105 vehicles in just under four hours
The catalog had announced 102 vehicles, but some changes and late registrations brought the number up to 105.
There was no lack of diversity on offer. 8 pre-war vehicles, 18 classics from the period after the war up to 1959, 25 representatives of the 1960s, 26 exponents of the 1970s, 18 vehicles built in the 1980s and finally 13 modern cars and motorcycles from the last 15 years vied for bids.
There were sports cars, coupés, convertibles and limousines for sale, with vehicles in the four- to six-figure range neatly documented in the auction catalog. Popular classics such as a Mercedes Benz 190 SL were just as present as rarely traded rarities such as a Hansa-Lloyd 1100 Cabriolet from 1937 or an Allard 81M from 1949.
It took the auctioneer around four hours to reach the last lot.
Highlight Fiat 1500 6C Barchetta from 1937
The performance of the Fiat 1500 6C Barchetta from 1937/1945 was eagerly awaited. The one-off based on a Fiat 1500 was built in Italy in the mid-1940s and has already completed the Mille Miglia several times. The car was also registered and accepted for what is probably the most famous classic car rally in 2014. The buyer was not only offered a future-oriented styled open-top sports car with a pleasant-sounding six-cylinder engine, but also the Mille Miglia participation including a hotel stay, as this was offered with the car.
The haggling began with a written bid of 200,000 francs, and the bidding went up step by step until only two anonymous bidders on the phone remained in the running. The hammer fell at 265,000 francs, but the minimum price was not reached, so the car could only be provisionally, or "conditionally", knocked down.
Little joy in the rare Japanese trio
Japanese classics are rarely offered at auctions, but Toffen made an exception on April 26, 2014, when a Mitsubishi Sapporo from 1979, a Mazda RX-7 with Wankel engine from 1980 and a first-hand Honda Prelude from 1984 were offered.
Unfortunately, the Japanese fans were missing from the auction, as only the Honda found a new owner, even though both the Mitsubishi and the Wankel-Mazda were exceptionally well-preserved examples.
The diverse range took its toll
Auctions have their own rules. Everything has to fit together, the offer, a clientele with purchasing power and sufficient risk appetite among the public. The broader the range of vehicles, the more willing bidders are needed to bring an auction to life.
In Toffen on April 26, 2014, the more expensive offers in particular fell short of expectations. Around 1/3 of the vehicles could not be sold, ranging from the Jaguar E-Type and the Triumph Spitfire to the Rolls-Royce Silver Spur.
Many bidders dropped out early or were not prepared to put in a minimum bid of an acceptable amount. It almost seemed as if some visitors were mainly on the lookout for low-priced bargains. Of course, there were also bargains to be had and this is where things really came to life.
The low-priced vehicles, which were offered without a minimum price ("no limit"), were sold quite well. A number of these vehicles probably made their way to Germany, as Switzerland's northern neighbors in particular were keen to trade and struck several deals. This is also supported by changes in customs regulations, which make importing original classic cars that are at least thirty years old to Germany much cheaper.
Only those who dare, win
However, expert observers were always surprised when popular and sought-after classics on the international market did not want to make a move in terms of bidding. There were times when you had to wait six years for a brand-new Morgan, but the attractive Plus 8 from 1981 did not want to entice bidders to swing their "trowels" - incomprehensible.
Things went better for a relatively young Porsche Boxster from 1999, where the estimated price was even exceeded when the hammer fell at 14,500 francs.
Auctions require a certain amount of risk-taking and willingness to gamble, and there wasn't enough of that in Toffen on April 26, 2014.
Many reservations
One peculiarity of the Oldtimer Gallery auction is the conditional sales. If the minimum price specified by the seller is not reached when the hammer falls, the vehicle is not actually sold. However, the auctioneer can decide that a bid is just below the reserve price and announce the sale subject to reserve, which means that the highest bidder's offer is binding and the seller is invited to reconsider the reserve price.
If the seller and buyer can come to an agreement afterwards, the sale will go through. If the two cannot come to an agreement, the lot is deemed unsold.
With almost a third of the vehicles "conditionally sold", Reinhard Schmidlin and his team are naturally under great pressure after the end of the auction to bring some of these outstanding transactions to a conclusion after all.
But this is also a peculiarity of the Swiss auction business: some buyers and sellers are only prepared to make an offer or give in after in-depth discussions. Oldtimer gallery owner Schmidlin knows this and, as he is celebrating his 30th anniversary this year, he was optimistic that in some cases something should still be possible.
Looking towards the Dolder
Reinhard Schmidlin was nevertheless disappointed after the auction. "Somehow the offer and the audience didn't match", he said in conversation, "but we are looking ahead and preparing for the next auction".
He was referring to the auction at the Dolder Classics on June 7, 2014 , at which the Oldtimer Galerie intends to present a select range of cars, as it did last year. Some entries are already known, including a Rolls-Royce Phantom I and a Facel-Vega FV3. And the BMW M1 originally intended for the auction in Toffen will now also find a new owner at the Dolder Auction.
The results in detail
The following table shows all the vehicles on offer, the respective highest bid and the sales status, i.e. sold, sold under reserve or not sold as well as canceled for withdrawn bids. The status of the data corresponds to the results as they were available directly after the auction; any renegotiations have not been taken into account. All information without guarantee.
The conversion was carried out at the current daily exchange rate of 1 Euro = 1.22 CHF. Vehicles that were auctioned without a minimum price ("no limit") are marked "yes" in the "Without MP" column.
The prices shown are hammer prices without the additional surcharges and commissions (12%).
The table can be sorted by clicking on the column headings.
| Lot | Vehicle | Year | Type | Without MP | HBid CHF | HBid € | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Alfa Romeo Spider 2.0 | 1983 | convertible | yes | 4250 | 3484 | sold |
| 002 | Jaguar XJ 12 L Series 2 | 1975 | sedan | yes | 1500 | 1230 | sold |
| 003 | Subaru SVX Coupé 3.3i | 1993 | Coupé | yes | 2250 | 1844 | sold |
| 004 | Peugeot 604 V6 SL | 1977 | sedan | yes | 2000 | 1639 | sold |
| 005 | Honda Prelude EX | 1984 | Coupé | 3000 | 2459 | sold | |
| 006 | Mercedes Benz 450 SLC 5.0 | 1979 | Coupé | yes | 9000 | 7377 | sold |
| 007 | Maserati Biturbo 2.5 V6 | 1984 | Coupé | not sold | |||
| 008 | Ford Mustang Hardtop Coupé | 1966 | Coupé | 18000 | 14754 | sold | |
| 009 | Porsche 928 S | 1986 | Coupé | yes | 6500 | 5328 | sold |
| 010 | Jaguar XJ 6 L | 1975 | sedan | yes | 3000 | 2459 | sold |
| 011 | Mercedes Benz 250 | 1978 | sedan | 6250 | 5123 | sold | |
| 012 | Lancia Delta HF Integrale | 1991 | Sedan | 9000 | 7377 | sold | |
| 013 | Ford A Sedan | 1930 | Sedan | 9000 | 7377 | sold | |
| 014 | Rolls-Royce Silver Spur | 1982 | Limousine | not sold | |||
| 015 | Mercedes Benz 300 CE-24 Cabriolet | 1994 | convertible | 11000 | 9016 | u.V. sold | |
| 016 | MG B Roadster | 1971 | Roadster | not sold | |||
| 017 | Citroën 11 BL | 1954 | Sedan | 15000 | 12295 | u.V. sold | |
| 018 | DKW Munga F91/6 | 1962 | off-road w. | yes | 4750 | 3893 | sold |
| 019 | Plymouth Savoy | 1959 | sedan | 11000 | 9016 | sold | |
| 020 | Hariey-Davidson FLH 1200 Electra Glide | 1970 | motorcycle | not sold | |||
| 021 | Moto Guzzi 850 Le Mans III | 1984 | motorcycle | 4000 | 3279 | sold | |
| 022 | Hariey-Davidson FLHR Road King | 1995 | motorcycle | not sold | |||
| 023 | Yamaha V-Max 1200 | 2000 | motorcycle | 3500 | 2869 | sold | |
| 024 | Moto Guzzi California 1100 | 1995 | motorcycle | 5500 | 4508 | u.V. sold | |
| 025 | Hariey-Davidson FLH 1200 Duo Glide | 1958 | motorcycle | 12000 | 9836 | u.V. sold | |
| 026 | Packard 343 Six | 1948 | sedan | 15000 | 12295 | sold | |
| 027 | MG YA Saloon | 1948 | Saloon | not sold | |||
| 028 | Lancia Flavia 1800 Pininfarina | 1964 | Coupé | 12000 | 9836 | sold | |
| 029 | Jaguar XJ 12 L | 1973 | sedan | yes | 4500 | 3689 | sold |
| 030 | Chevrolet Camaro LT Rally Sport | 1978 | Coupé | 21000 | 17213 | u.V. sold | |
| 031 | Triumph Spitfire 1500 | 1977 | Convertible | not sold | |||
| 032 | Fiat 1100 A "Balilla" | 1948 | Sedan | not sold | |||
| 033 | Alpine-Renault A310 V6 | 1979 | Coupé | canceled | |||
| 034 | Ford Mustang Convertible | 1967 | Convertible | not sold | |||
| 035 | Mercedes Benz 200 Tailfin | 1966 | Sedan | not sold | |||
| 036 | Jaguar Mk 2 3.4-Litre Saloon | 1966 | Saloon | not sold | |||
| 036A | Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud III | 1963 | Limousine | not sold | |||
| 037 | Porsche Boxster | 1999 | Convertible | 14500 | 11885 | sold | |
| 037A | Porsche 718 RSK Replica | 1968 | convertible | 14000 | 11475 | sold | |
| 038 | MG TD | 1952 | Roadster | 22000 | 18033 | u.V. sold | |
| 039 | Mercedes Benz 300 SEL 6.3 | 1970 | sedan | yes | 38000 | 31148 | sold |
| 040 | Morgan Plus 8 | 1981 | Roadster | 47000 | 38525 | u.V. sold | |
| 040A | Peugeot 504 Cabriolet | 1981 | convertible | 15000 | 12295 | sold | |
| 041 | Ferrari 400i | 1983 | Coupé | not sold | |||
| 041A | Ferrari 348 TS | 1990 | Targa | 35000 | 28689 | u.V. sold | |
| 042 | VW Golf 1300 GL | 1981 | sedan | 9500 | 7787 | sold | |
| 043 | MG B Roadster | 1972 | Roadster | 17000 | 13934 | u.V. sold | |
| 044 | Mazda RX-7 | 1980 | Coupé | not sold | |||
| 045 | Mitsubishi Sapporo 2000 GS/R | 1979 | Coupé | not sold | |||
| 046 | Ford Taunus 2.3 V6 Ghia | 1979 | Sedan | 4500 | 3689 | u.V. sold | |
| 047 | Citroën DS 21 Pallas | 1969 | Sedan | 22000 | 18033 | sold | |
| 048 | Austin 10/4 Lichfield Saloon | 1935 | saloon | canceled | |||
| 049 | Citroën C3 Camionette Normande | 1923 | Camionette | 7500 | 6148 | sold | |
| 050 | Ford Mustang 289 GT | 1965 | Coupé | 28000 | 22951 | u.V. sold | |
| 051 | Porsche 911 Carrera 3.2 | 1986 | Coupé | not sold | |||
| 052 | Bentley Continental Drophead | 1989 | Convertible | not sold | |||
| 053 | Alfa Romeo GT 1300 Junior Zagato | 1970 | Coupé | not sold | |||
| 054 | Mercedes Benz 450 SEL 6.9 | 1976 | Sedan | 38000 | 31148 | sold | |
| 055 | Oldsmobile Ninety-Eight Sedan | 1954 | sedan | 26000 | 21311 | sold | |
| 056 | Lancia Flaminia 2500 GT Pininfarina | 1961 | Coupé | 20000 | 16393 | sold | |
| 057 | Hansa-Lloyd 1100 Cabriolet | 1937 | convertible | 15000 | 12295 | sold | |
| 058 | Morris Eight M8 Tourer | 1935 | Tourer | 16000 | 13115 | u.V. sold | |
| 059 | Ford Thunderbird Convertible | 1961 | Convertible | not sold | |||
| 060 | Bentley Turbo R | 1986 | Sedan | not sold | |||
| 060A | Daimler 2 1/2 Litre V8 | 1963 | Sedan | 18000 | 14754 | u.V. sold | |
| 061 | Porsche 911 2.7 | 1975 | Coupé | 31000 | 25410 | u.V. sold | |
| 062 | LaSalle 345A Town Sedan | 1931 | Sedan | not sold | |||
| 063 | Jaguar E-Type 3.8 Series 1 Roadster | 1963 | Convertible | not sold | |||
| 063A | Chevrolet Corvette | 1993 | convertible | 14000 | 11475 | u.V. sold | |
| 064 | Fiat 1500 6C Sport Barchetta | 1937 | Barchetta | 265000 | 217213 | u.V. sold | |
| 065 | Plymouth Barracuda | 1964 | Coupé | not sold | |||
| 066 | Opel GT A-L 1900 | 1970 | Coupé | 15500 | 12705 | u.V. sold | |
| 067 | Rover P5 3-Litre MK III Saloon | 1967 | saloon | not sold | |||
| 068 | Mercedes Benz 190 SL | 1956 | Convertible | not sold | |||
| 069 | Ford Mustang 289 Fastback | 1965 | Coupé | not sold | |||
| 070 | Ferrari Testarossa | 1987 | Coupé | not sold | |||
| 071 | Citroën 11 B Cabriolet-Roadster | 1950 | Convertible | not sold | |||
| 072 | Allard 81M Cabriolet | 1949 | Convertible | not sold | |||
| 073 | Porsche 356 B 1600 | 1961 | Coupé | 44000 | 36066 | u.V. sold | |
| 074 | Alfa Romeo Giulietta Spider Veloce | 1961 | convertible | 51000 | 41803 | u.V. sold | |
| 075 | Austin-Healey 3000 Mk III BJ8 Injection | 1965 | Convertible | not sold | |||
| 076 | Triumph TR 3A | 1959 | Roadster | not sold | |||
| 077 | Mercedes Benz 280 SE 3.5 | 1971 | Sedan | 15000 | 12295 | sold | |
| 078 | Jaguar Mk 2 3.8-Litre Saloon | 1961 | saloon | 17000 | 13934 | u.V. sold | |
| 079 | Ferrari 550 Maranello | 1998 | Coupé | 39000 | 31967 | u.V. sold | |
| 080 | LTI Fairway London Taxi | 1996 | cab | 12000 | 9836 | u.V. sold | |
| 081 | Mercedes Benz 560 SEC | 1992 | Coupé | 10000 | 8197 | u.V. sold | |
| 082 | Pontiac Tempest Le Mans | 1966 | Coupé | 33500 | 27459 | u.V. sold | |
| 083 | Jaguar E-Type V12 Coupé | 1972 | Coupé | 40000 | 32787 | u.V. sold | |
| 084 | Maserati 3200 GT | 1999 | Coupé | 24000 | 19672 | sold | |
| 085 | Porsche 911 Carrera 3.6 Special | 1984 | convertible | 34500 | 28279 | sold | |
| 086 | Daimler Double Six Vanden Pias LWB | 1977 | Limousine | 14000 | 11475 | u.V. sold | |
| 087 | Pontiac Star Chief | 1958 | Sedan | 17000 | 13934 | u.V. sold | |
| 088 | Alfa Romeo GT 1600 Junior | 1974 | Coupé | not sold | |||
| 089 | Jaguar Mk V 3.5-Litre 3-Position DHC | 1951 | Convertible | 35000 | 28689 | u.V. sold | |
| 090 | Fiat 1100 B Cabriolet Lingotto | 1949 | convertible | 62500 | 51230 | u.V. sold | |
| 091 | Studebaker Avanti R1 | 1964 | Coupé | 25000 | 20492 | u.V. sold | |
| 092 | Alfa Romeo GT 1600 Sprint Widebody | 1968 | coupé | 40000 | 32787 | u.V. sold | |
| 093 | Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow | 1976 | Limousine | 21000 | 17213 | u.V. sold | |
| 094 | Fiat 500 C Topolino | 1949 | Coach | 11500 | 9426 | sold | |
| 095 | Delage DR 70 Faux Convertible | 1928 | Coupé | not sold | |||
| 096 | Bentley Continental R | 1996 | Coupé | not sold | |||
| 097 | Maserati Indy 4200 | 1973 | Coupé | not sold | |||
| 098 | Daimler SP 250 "Dart" | 1959 | Roadster | not sold | |||
| 099 | Alpine-Renault A110 1600 | 1975 | Coupé | 32500 | 26639 | u.V. sold | |
| 100 | Ford Mustang 289 Convertible | 1968 | Convertible | 57500 | 47131 | u.V. sold | |
| 101 | Jaguar XK140 SE OTS | 1955 | Roadster | 75000 | 61475 | u.V. sold | |
| 102 | BMW M1 | 1980 | Coupé | canceled |
