The autumn fog was just beginning to lift when the traditional autumn auction of the Oldtimer Gallery in Toffen began. Once again, television was on site and, for the first time, bids could also be submitted via the Internet.
As always, the large hall was full and the atmosphere was good. It was exciting to see how the 96 registered vehicles, including five motorcycles and a tractor, would fare. The fact that around a quarter were offered without a reserve price added to the excitement.
The total value of the vehicles was estimated at around CHF 3.6 million (EUR 3 million). Each lot was therefore expected to fetch around CHF 36,000 or EUR 31,000.
Good result
With 46 percent of lots sold outright and a further 29 percent conditionally knocked down, the fall auction also performed very well compared to previous events. On average, 75 percent of the median estimate was bid, which is also a good result.
However, the already secured turnover of around CHF 1.1 million was still relatively far from expectations in the form of the estimated values (CHF 3.6 million), which was certainly partly due to the fact that some expensive cars could not be sold. However, it can be assumed that some of the 28 cars that were only conditionally knocked down will be sold after the auction, which will certainly improve the result considerably.
Americans in demand
22 American vehicles (including a Harley-Davidson motorcycle) were on the lot list, which is certainly an above-average proportion. The average age of the US cars was 55 years. The brands ranged from Cadillac, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge and Ford to Mercury, Nash, Oldsmobile, Plymouth, Pontiac and Studebaker. Most of the US vehicles were valued in the mid five-digit range.
The Americans fared significantly better compared to the overall offer, with 59 percent sold without reserve, a further 23 percent were knocked down with reserve and only 18 percent remained unsold.
There was real haggling over the 1964 Studebaker Avanti R1, with the sale price of CHF 28,000 well above the estimate of CHF 18,000 to 25,000. Bidders fought even harder for the 1953 Studebaker Commander Starliner, which ultimately sold for CHF 43,680, almost half the estimate of CHF 25,000 to 35,000.
The 1960 Chevrolet Nomad Station Wagon also sold well, while a 1979 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham, for example, obviously did not attract any willing bidders.
The King did not draw
The performance of the 1956 Cadillac Series 62 Sedan de Ville, which once belonged to rock star Elvis Presley, was eagerly awaited.
The star fame didn't really want to spill over, even the gold record didn't help. The highest bid of CHF 72,500 was a respectable success, but was only enough for a conditional acceptance.
Surprisingly high bids for two restoration objects
Two complete vehicles worthy of restoration came under the hammer as lots 70 and 71. In particular, the Bentley 4 1/4 Litre Saloon Park Ward from 1937 sparked a lot of bidding.
The potential buyers soon left the estimated value of CHF 15,000 to 25,000 behind them and it was only at CHF 32,000 that the highest bidder was able to enjoy the purchase.
Interest in a 1961 Jaguar Mk2 Saloon with the coveted 3.8-liter engine was hardly less strong. The new owner paid CHF 16,800 for the restoration object, while another, very attractive-looking MK2 3.4 liter in running condition did not receive a viable bid - CHF 25,000 was sought.
The fact that you don't always have to dig deep into your pockets in Toffen was demonstrated by the buyer of another restoration object, a 1962 BMW 700. CHF 1456 was enough to buy it, which was well below expectations of CHF 5000 to 6000.
Mixed results for Ferrari sports car
Among the super classics, Toffen was able to offer two Ferrari sports cars, one a 330 GT from 1965 and the last lot a Ferrari 512 BB from 1981 with less than 15,000 kilometers on the clock.
The BB did much better, selling for CHF 291,200 (EUR 2530217), while the 330 stopped at a maximum bid of CHF 180,000, well below the set limit.
Other popular classics also found new hands in Toffen, such as an almost immaculate 1961 Mercedes-Benz 190 SL, whose new owner had to pay CHF 134,400 (EUR 116,870) for the black convertible.
Another dark Mercedes-Benz 280 SE Cabriolet from 1970 was also successfully sold for CHF 112,000.
A Mercedes-Benz 230 SL was sold for CHF 58,800 and a 500 SL from 1992 for CHF 15,120.
Not all ten Mercedes found a new garage; for example, the 250 T from 1979 and the 200 W21 from 1935 were left behind.
Compact pre-war range
In addition to the pre-war vehicles already mentioned, there were three others that finished very differently.
While the 1931 MG M-Type sold well above its estimate for CHF 35,840, the 1927 Chevrolet Capitol Series AA 2 Door Coach and the 1931 B.S.A. three-wheeler had to endure significant setbacks compared to the estimate.
Youngtimers with outliers at the top
18 cars and one motorcycle on offer had not yet reached the classic car age threshold. Overall, however, they performed at least as well as the average and there were also some positive outliers, such as the Mercedes-Benz CLK 230 Cabriolet from 1999, which found a new garage for CHF 16,800 (EUR 14,609) well above the estimate.
A Range Rover from 1991 and a Jaguar XK8 Coupé from 1997 also sold relatively well, while the Saab 900 Turbo 16 convertible from 1987 was certainly a bargain at CHF 3640 (EUR 3165).
Internet premiere
For the first time, it was also possible to bid on offers in the catalog via the Internet. This was used extensively and two or three of the lots were ultimately sold via the Invaluable/SwissAuctionCompany bidding platforms.
However, most of the final bids came from the floor, with some telephone bidders playing the second most important role.
