Auctions at trade fairs are popular, and the hammer was also swung at the Swiss Classic World Lucerne on May 25, 2019. Oldtimer Galerie Toffen offered 45 cars and a motorcycle worth almost CHF 4.4 million (almost EUR 4 million). The offer was varied, but the customers were picky.
Attractive for spectators
In contrast to auctions, where the cars can only be admired in pictures and beforehand in the exhibition, the vehicles at the Swiss Classic World passed by the spectators on a stage.
All the lots managed to do this under their own steam, which certainly increased the confidence of the bidding public in the vehicles. In any case, the interest of the Swiss Classic World spectators was great when the first car (a Volvo P1800 ES from 1973) rolled across the stage shortly after 16:00.
Wide range
On average, the vehicles on offer, including a Moto Guzzi Le Mans III from 1983, were 51 years old. Six cars represented the youngtimer generation, two cars (a pre-war Bentley had been withdrawn before the auction) were from the period before the First World War, the rest were in between.
As many as 26 brands were represented, with Alfa Romeo and Mercedes-Benz being the most represented with four vehicles each, followed by BMW, Bentley and Chevrolet (3 each). Bristol, Excalibur, Facel Vega and Jensen represented the more exotic brand world.
Mercedes-Benz 220 S as the high-flyer
A Mercedes-Benz 220 S Cabriolet from 1958 sold well above its estimate of CHF 58,000 to 68,000. The two-tone Ponton Cabriolet was worth CHF 91,840 (EUR 82,000) to its new owner.
The 220 S thus performed significantly better than, for example, a normally highly sought-after 190 E 2.5-16 Evo 2 from 1990, which remained well below the estimate at CHF 100,000 and was knocked down with reserve.
A successful sale after renegotiation seems unlikely given the gap to expectations (CHF 175,000 to 195,000), while two other Mercedes, a 190 SL from 1957 and a 280 SE Coupé from 1968, found new owners without reserve.
Red wins against gold
Of the 1250 Maserati Ghibli built between 1966 and 1973, two were on offer. One was a red US example from 1969, which was restored around 20 years ago.
The successful bidder paid CHF 207,200 (EUR 185,000) for this car, while no bids in the expected range (CHF 365,000 to 385,000) were received for the freshly and lavishly restored gold-colored 1967 Ghili with Swiss history.
Aerodynamic wonder of the fifties
Like its predecessors, the 400 and 401, the Bristol 403 is one of the most streamlined cars of the 1950s. This was hardly surprising, as Bristol had its origins in aircraft construction. In the early years, the engine used was the in-line six-cylinder that had helped BMW to many racing victories in the 328 in the pre-war years. The war booty was of course thoroughly further developed and produced around 100 hp in the 403, which made the car almost 170 km/h fast.
The 1954 coupé on offer (chassis 403/1554) was knocked down for CHF 42,000, which meant a sales price including commission of CHF 47,040 (EUR 42,000).
Drive like Jane Birkin and Serge Gainsbourg
Also on offer was a 1965 Excalibur 35X with European genes. Only a small number of these retro classics, modeled on the Bugatti 35, were built. Jane Birkin and Serge Gainsbourg are said to have once driven the car on offer for film shoots.
This certainly aroused interest, but no bidder wanted to go over CHF 56,000. The car was nevertheless sold for CHF 62,720 (EUR 56,000).
Nine Americans
As many as nine cars of American provenance, not counting the Excalibur, went under the hammer in Lucerne.
Two of them aroused particular interest, namely a 1961 Chevrolet Corvette C1, which was sold for CHF 123,200 (EUR 110,000), and a 1939 Dodge D11 Cabriolet Graber, which found a new owner for CHF 58,240 (EUR 52,000) above the estimate, who was clearly delighted with the exceptional purchase for comparatively little money. After all, he had to prevail against countless bidders who drove the price up from CHF 25,000 to the hammer price of CHF 52,000.
The other Americans performed respectably, but most of them could only be knocked down under reserve due to insufficient bids.
The special Ford Capri falls just short of expectations
The Ford Capri celebrates its 50th birthday in 2019. It was therefore fitting that a second-generation Capri V6 2-3 liter coupé went under the hammer in Lucerne. It was a May-Turbo-equipped coupé from first family ownership.
CHF 23,000 was only enough for a conditional knockdown, but it was not far off the estimated value.
Highs and lows
While a Citroën DS 23 i.e. Pallas from 1973 with a price of CHF 92,400 (EUR 82,500) and a Bentley Continental Drophead from 1988 for CHF 68,320 (EUR 61,000) sold very well, other cars were clearly disappointing.
The only bid for the Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud II Convertible Mulliner from 1961 was well below expectations, while the BMW 326 from 1936 also fell well short of the reserve price. The Lancia Aurelia B20S GT 2.5 from 1957 fared similarly, with a bid of just CHF 80,000.
In addition to the aforementioned Maserati Ghibli, an Alfa Romeo Giulia 1600 Spider from 1963, an Aston Martin V8 Volante from 1981, the Facel Vega FV3 from 1957 and a Range Rover Classic Convertible were definitely not sold.
The Aston Martin Virage from 1990 and the Ferrari 365 GT 2+2 from 1970 (Queen Mary) also had to be put away without having achieved anything.
