Every Saturday at the Swiss Classic World classic car fair in Lucerne, the Oldtimer Galerie Toffen auctions off around 50 classic cars. On June 1, 2024, there were exactly 50 cars with an average age of 51 years that rolled across the stage in Hall 2 in front of a really large audience looking for new owners.
On average, the cars were valued at over CHF 95,000, with the total value of the 50 vehicles amounting to almost five million Swiss francs.
The auction opened punctually at 17:00, and almost three hours later the hammer fell for the last time. 19 cars had been sold outright, another 20 "under reserve", 11 cars had definitely not yet found a new owner. As some of the vehicles that were knocked down "under reserve" came relatively close to the (presumed) minimum price in terms of bidding, it can be assumed that around 55% of the vehicles can ultimately be considered "sold" after the renegotiations.
This is not a record sales rate, but it is not atypical for trade fair auctions, where the majority of the public come for the show and not to buy a car at auction. Nevertheless, the total turnover should settle at around CHF 2.8 million after the renegotiations.
On average, interested parties bid 75% of the average estimate, which shows that the estimates were not overoptimistic and that the bidders were not pure bargain hunters.
Mainly well-known brands
The majority of the vehicles on offer in Lucerne were well-known brands. Seven Mercedes-Benz, seven Porsche, five Ferrari, four Jaguar, three Maserati, three Rolls-Royce and two each of Alfa Romeo and Aston Martin made up more than two thirds of the lots.
At the other end of the brand spectrum, there were also some exotic cars up for auction, such as an Alvis, a Borgward, a Lincoln, a Nash, a Simca and a TVR.
Saloons ahead of convertibles and coupés
If we analyze the results of the auction according to body types, which accounted for roughly the same proportion of the total offer, at first glance the saloons performed better than convertibles and coupés, at least as far as the sales quota (including "subject to reservation") is concerned.
However, on average, "only" 70% of the median estimate was offered for saloons, while this figure was 76% for convertibles and 77% for coupés.
Unpopular Targas?
Only one of the four Targas on offer (three Porsches and one Ferrari 328 GTS) found new owners. However, to deduce from this that this design is no longer in demand is probably too short-sighted.
The highest bids averaged 71% of the median estimate, but the estimates were set relatively high, so that in the end only the 911 SC 3.0 Targa from 1979 was sold for CHF 50,400, while the Ferrari, for example, fell short of expectations with a top bid of CHF 70,000.
The statesmanlike Nash
The result of the very interesting Nash Airflyte Statesman Super from 1950 was probably not to be expected. The Nash was developed and shaped in the spirit of the aerodynamic euphoria of the time. The example on offer was also shown at the Classic Gala Schwetzingen.
It was estimated at CHF 20,000 to 25,000, but the bids went up to CHF 27,000, bringing the car to CHF 30,800 including commission (12%).
Rolls-Royce convertible in demand
While a Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit from 1989, which once cost over CHF 200,000, only achieved a top bid of CHF 16,000, there were several bidders who wanted the only slightly older white Rolls-Royce Corniche from 1981.
With a top bid of CHF 77,000 and a sale price of CHF 86,240, the elegant car was sold well above expectations.
Some interest in younger sports cars
Younger sports cars were very much in demand.
While a Porsche 964 from 1990, which had been subsequently converted to a turbo-look, found a new owner for CHF 100,800, another bidder was able to secure the elegant 993 Cabriolet from 1996 with all-wheel drive for CH F91,840.
The Ferrari 612 Scaglietti from 2004 also sold for more than expected at CHF 76,160.
And even the Maserati 3200 GT from 1999, which was offered "without limit", sold for CHF 20,160 more than the lower estimate would have suggested.
The 1963 Simca 1000 Coupé designed by Bertone managed to sneak into the phalanx of young sports cars. Estimated at CHF 21,500 to 23,500, this rarity was sold for CHF 23,520.
The two 600s
Mercedes-Benz built just over 2600 W100s in the 1960s and 1970s, two of which went under the hammer in Lucerne.
One is a very presentable 600 sedan from 1970, which was ultimately sold for CHF 224,000 with receipts in excess of CHF 400,000.
The second 600 was a rare Pullman with three side doors from 1966, of which only 124 were built. This limousine once served as a chauffeur limousine for Welt-Furrer AG and, among other things, ensured that the Rolling Stones found their way to the hotel in Zurich in comfort. Instead of the expected CHF 230,000 to 260,000, no interested party wanted to offer more than CHF 160,000 for the Pullman, which certainly still needed some work. It was knocked down "under reserve".
The fact that the V8 M100 engine is no guarantee of top valuations was also demonstrated by the performance of the 450 SEL 6.9 from 1975, which went to a new owner in good condition for just CHF 33,600. That was actually almost a bargain.
Really cheap cars
Those who made the journey to Lucerne were also able to buy some very reasonably priced vehicles at auction.
You could buy a 1954 Fiat 500 C Topolino in the Lucerne colors for just CHF 5600.
The rare and special 1947 Lincoln Continental V12 Convertible Coupé with some accumulated maintenance and restoration work went to a new owner for CHF 15,680.
The 1959 Alvis TD21, which only almost made it onto the ramp under its own power, drove into a new garage for a modest CHF 14,560.
The bids for some interesting classics from the fifties and sixties were well below expectations, although they were nevertheless sold "subject to reserve". Examples include the Borgward Isabella from 1961, the Alfa Romeo Giulia Spider from 1963 and the Ford Mustang Fastback from 1967 in Bullit livery.
The most expensive car in the auction, a 1965 Shelby Cobra 427 S/C Continuation, could only be knocked down "under reserve" despite a bid of CHF 270,000 and an impressive V8 sound. Together with the other 19 cars for which the hammer fell with the same verdict, the crew around Serge Stotzer, Reinhard Schmidlin and Beat Leu still have a lot of work to do in the coming week. The cars also have to be transported back to Toffen. However, all the effort will have been well worth it, after all, several million francs were generated.
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 | CHF Est from | CHF Est to | CHF HP | CHF SP | EUR SP | % Est | S |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Chrysler Valiant V 200 | 1961 | 17'500 | 19'500 | 13'500 | 15'120 | 15'422 | -18.27%
|
V |
| 02 | Maserati 3200 GT | 1999 | 18'000 | 22'000 | 18'000 | 20'160 | 20'563 | +0.8%
|
V |
| 03 | Simca 1000 Coupé Bertone | 1963 | 21'500 | 23'500 | 21'000 | 23'520 | 23'990 | +4.53%
|
V |
| 04 | Ferrari 328 GTS | 1988 | 80'000 | 90'000 | 70'000 | N | |||
| 05 | Porsche 911 E 2.2 Targa | 1970 | 130'000 | 140'000 | 85'000 | N | |||
| 06 | Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit | 1989 | 20'000 | 25'000 | 16'000 | U | |||
| 07 | TVR 3000 S | 1979 | 25'000 | 30'000 | 21'000 | U |
Möchten Sie alle Auktions-Ergebnisse sehen?
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
