Thick fog shrouded the Gürbetal valley and the town of Toffen as hundreds of classic and vintage car enthusiasts once again made their way to the Oldtimer Gallery to perhaps buy the classic car of their dreams at auction just before Christmas.

95 vehicles were on offer, three of which were motorcycles. As usual, the range was varied and also included some more modern vehicles. However, the majority were classic cars with 30 or more years on the clock and some of the lots were real rarities.
Four fifths sold
81% of the vehicles on offer were sold, although 33 of the lots were still subject to a reserve at the end of the auction because the limit had not been reached. However, 43 cars and one motorcycle were sold to a new owner without any ifs or buts.
A total of CHF 2.9 million (EUR 2.4 million) was bid in around 3.5 hours.

On average, the highest bids reached 81% of the median estimate. The average highest bid was CHF 30,168 or 25,140 euros.
The pickup surprise
The good result for a Buick Series 40 pickup from 1930 drew enthusiastic applause.

The auctioneer opened the bidding war for the beautifully presented commercial vehicle at CHF 20,000 and was probably amazed himself that it mainly went in increments of a thousand up to CHF 61,000 until the highest bidder was able to clear everything. The Buick thus changed hands for almost twice the estimated price.
BMW 503 Coupé as the most expensive car
It is considered one of BMW's most beautiful creations, the 503, especially as a coupé.

The specialists at the Oldtimer Galerie had estimated the Series 1 Coupé in beautiful condition at CHF 195,000 to 205,000. This amount was not quite reached when the hammer fell. However, with a top bid of CHF 180,000, the car was knocked down without reservation as the most expensive lot of the afternoon.
Italian exotics with positive results
Both the Lamborghini Espada (400 GT Series 2) from 1970 and the Lancia Flaminia Touring Coupé from 1961 elicited significantly more money from buyers than the estimated price would have indicated. The hammer fell at CHF 125,000 for the Lamborghini and CHF 36,000 for the Lancia Flaminia Coupé. Perhaps the estimates were too conservative here.

Other Italians also achieved good results, such as the Alfa Romeo 1600 GT Junior from 1974, which was offered without a reserve price but nevertheless achieved its lower estimate of CHF 15,000.
A heart for exotics
Some particularly rare pieces were also sold in Toffen, such as the 1940 DKW F8 with a HOLKA body, which had been dedicated to the national exhibition in Zurich. A Swiss buyer put down CHF 14,000 for this rare piece.

The Bristol 411 from the 1970 Series 1 is also one of the exotic cars; the buyer offered CHF 80,000 for the rare English coupé. Things did not go quite so well for the 1931 Talbot K78 Cabriolet; at CHF 57,500, the car could only be knocked down with reservations.

However, the fate of the Opel Manta B 2000 E from 1986 with contemporary tuning, which visually adapted the car to the Manta 400, shows that special cars were not always appreciated. The limit was missed by far here, and the car went back.

Limousines with mixed results
The bidders in Toffen were open to limousines. The beautifully presented Peugeot 404 from 1961, for example, could only be knocked down for CHF 13,000 after a bidding ping-pong that lasted around 10 minutes.

A number of more recent Jaguar limousines found new owners in almost all cases. A buyer was also found for a 1969 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow, which went for as little as CHF 9500 thanks to the lack of a limit.
The bidders were less happy with German limousines. The BMW 2000 from 1971 was left standing, as was the Mercedes Benz 200 from 1982.
No sample
There was no real pattern to the unsold vehicles, except that practically all of them were in the mid-price segment between CHF 30,000 and CHF 80,000. In any case, the provenance of the brands could not have been the reason, as Mercedes Benz, Porsche, Alfa Romeo, Jaguar, BMW and Rolls-Royce were among the other brands. In most cases, the bids reached around 60-80% of the median estimate, which was not enough to break the limit.

At no stage of the auction, however, did unsuccessful sales dampen the mood of the audience. Quite the opposite. The audience stayed in good spirits until the end and followed the bidding wars with great interest. The Gürbetal has seen things differently before.
Results of the auction in Toffen
The following list shows all vehicle bids with the estimated price and the highest bid in CHF and euros. The table takes into account the situation as it was noted at the end of the auction.
The "Status" column shows whether a lot has been sold, sold subject to reserve or not sold. The buyer pays a premium of 12% on top of the highest bid. In the "% Est" column, the highest bid is compared with the average estimated price. All information without guarantee.
The table can be sorted by clicking on the column headings.
Lot | Brand | Type | Yr | Form | Est CHF from | Est CHF to | Hbid CHF | Hbid € | Status | % Est |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
01 | Ford | Taunus 20M 2300 S XL | 1970 | Lim | 4000 | 5000 | 4750 | 3958 | sold | 1.06 |
02 | Jaguar | XJ 12 H.E. | 1985 | Lim | 5000 | 7000 | 3500 | 2917 | sold | 0.58 |
03 | Mercedes Benz | 350 SE | 1972 | Lim | 6000 | 8000 | 4500 | 3750 | sold | 0.64 |
04 | Rolls-Royce | Silver Shadow | 1969 | Lim | 15000 | 18000 | 9500 | 7917 | sold | 0.58 |
05 | Fiat | 500 L | 1972 | Coach | 14000 | 16000 | 11500 | 9583 | u.V. sold | 0.77 |
06 | Mercedes Benz | 250 C | 1969 | Coupé | 12000 | 14000 | 7000 | 5833 | u.V. sold | 0.54 |
07 | Citroën | 11 B | 1956 | Lim | 18000 | 22000 | 13750 | 11458 | u.V. sold | 0.69 |
08 | Triumph | Spitfire 1500 | 1977 | Convertible | 10000 | 15000 | 10000 | 8333 | sold | 0.8 |
09 | BMW | 2000 | 1971 | Lim | 12000 | 14000 | 8500 | 7083 | not sold | 0.65 |
10 | Rover | P5 3-Litre Mk 1A Saloon | 1962 | Lim | 16000 | 18000 | 8000 | 6667 | not sold | 0.47 |
10A | Daimler | Six 4.0 | 1996 | Lim | 3500 | 4500 | 4000 | 3333 | sold | 1 |
11 | Opel | GT-J 1900 | 1973 | Coupé | 10000 | 12000 | 7500 | 6250 | sold | 0.68 |
12 | Lincoln | Continental Mark IV Executive Sedan | 1959 | Lim | 8000 | 12000 | 4750 | 3958 | sold | 0.48 |
13 | Condor | A 350 | 1976 | Moto | 2000 | 3000 | 2750 | 2292 | sold | 1.1 |
14 | Honda | VT 1100 C3 Shadow | 1999 | Moto | 6000 | 8000 | 4000 | 3333 | u.V. sold | 0.57 |
15 | Harley-Davidson | FLHR Road King | 1995 | Moto | 14000 | 16000 | 10000 | 8333 | u.V. sold | 0.67 |
16 | Buick | Special Deluxe 4100 | 1962 | Lim | 14000 | 16000 | 8000 | 6667 | u.V. sold | 0.53 |
17 | Triumph | Vitesse Mk II 2-Litre | 1969 | Convertible | 15000 | 18000 | 13000 | 10833 | sold | 0.79 |
18 | Peugeot | 504 Cabriolet Injection | 1972 | convertible | 16000 | 18000 | 18500 | 15417 | sold | 1.09 |
19 | Mercedes Benz | 200 | 1982 | Lim | 10000 | 12000 | 7000 | 5833 | not sold | 0.64 |
20 | Ford | Galaxie Sunliner | 1960 | Convertible | 30000 | 35000 | 28000 | 23333 | not sold | 0.86 |
21 | Sunbeam | Alpine Series 3 | 1963 | Convertible | 28000 | 32000 | 19000 | 15833 | not sold | 0.63 |
22 | Maserati | Quattroporte 4.2 | 2005 | Lim | 25000 | 30000 | 21000 | 17500 | sold u.V. | 0.76 |
23 | Bentley | Continental R | 1996 | Coupé | 50000 | 60000 | 35000 | 29167 | sold | 0.64 |
24 | Ferrari | 456 M GT | 1999 | Coupé |
48000 | 52000 | 47500 | 39583 | sold | 0.95 |
25 | Jaguar | XK 8 Convertible | 1999 | Convertible | 18000 | 22000 | 20000 | 16667 | sold | 1 |
26 | Dodge | Viper SRT 10 | 2007 | convertible | 60000 | 70000 | 47500 | 39583 | sold under contract | 0.73 |
27 | Porsche | 911 2.7 | 1975 | Coupé | 44000 | 48000 | 37500 | 31250 | not sold | 0.82 |
28 | AC | Cobra Replica by Backdraft | 1965 | Roads. | 55000 | 65000 | 52500 | 43750 | sold | 0.88 |
29 | Jaguar | E-Type 4.2-Litre | 1961 | Convertible | 70000 | 75000 | 70000 | 58333 | u.V. sold | 0.97 |
30 | Triumph | Italia 2000 | 1961 | Coupé | 95000 | 105000 | 77500 | 64583 | sold | 0.78 |
31 | Rolls-Royce | Silver Cloud III | 1963 | Lim | 55000 | 65000 | 50000 | 41667 | u.V. sold | 0.83 |
32 | Lincoln | Continental Convertible | 1966 | Convertible | 25000 | 35000 | 25000 | 20833 | sold | 0.83 |
33 | Jaguar | 3.4 S Saloon | 1966 | Lim | 12000 | 15000 | 11000 | 9167 | sold | 0.81 |
34 | Matra | Sports M530 LX | 1971 | Targa | 14000 | 16000 | 9500 | 7917 | sold | 0.63 |
35 | Mercedes Benz | 200/8 | 1968 | Lim | 14000 | 16000 | 10000 | 8333 | u.V. sold | 0.67 |
36 | DKW | F8 "Landi" by HOLKA | 1940 | Cabr-L | 15000 | 18000 | 14000 | 11667 | sold | 0.85 |
37 | Rolls-Royce | Silver Spirit | 1984 | Lim | 28000 | 32000 | no bid | not sold | ||
38 | Porsche | 911 SC 3.0 Cabriolet | 1983 | convertible | 50000 | 55000 | 45000 | 37500 | sold under contract | 0.86 |
39 | Triumph | Spitfire 4 Mk 2 | 1967 | Convertible | 18000 | 20000 | 14000 | 11667 | sold under contract | 0.74 |
40 | Alpine-Renault | A310 V6 | 1979 | Coupé | 18000 | 22000 | 14500 | 12083 | u.V. sold | 0.73 |
41 | Ford | Ranchero 500 | 1972 | pickup | 25000 | 30000 | 20000 | 16667 | u.V. sold | 0.73 |
42 | Jaguar | XJ 6 Sovereign | 1986 | Limo | 5000 | 8000 | 4750 | 3958 | sold | 0.73 |
43 | Alfa Romeo | GT 1600 Junior | 1974 | Coupé | 15000 | 18000 | 15000 | 12500 | sold | 0.91 |
44 | Lincoln | Model KA Town Sedan | 1932 | Lim | 40000 | 45000 | no bid | not sold | ||
45 | Fiat | 500 C Topolino | 1951 | Coach | 18000 | 22000 | 15000 | 12500 | sold | 0.75 |
46 | Peugeot | 404 Berline | 1961 | Lim | 12000 | 14000 | 13000 | 10833 | sold | 1 |
47 | Rover | P5B 3.5-Litre V8 Saloon | 1968 | Lim | 24000 | 28000 | 20000 | 16667 | u.V. sold | 0.77 |
48 | Excalibur | 35X | 1967 | Roads. | 50000 | 55000 | 45000 | 37500 | sold | 0.86 |
49 | Citroën | DS 23 Pallas | 1974 | Lim | 65000 | 70000 | 50000 | 41667 | u.V. sold | 0.74 |
50 | Maserati | Coupé Cambiocorsa | 2002 | Coupé |
26000 | 28000 | 20000 | 16667 | u.V. sold | 0.74 |
51 | Bentley | Brooklands | 1993 | Lim | 23000 | 25000 | 19000 | 15833 | not sold | 0.79 |
51A | Daimler | Six 4.0 LWB | 1996 | Lim | 3500 | 4500 | 4750 | 3958 | sold | 1.19 |
52 | Mercedes Benz | 280 SE | 1969 | Lim | 18000 | 22000 | 15500 | 12917 | sold | 0.78 |
53 | Morris | Cowley MC 11/9 | 1924 |
Torp |
20000 | 30000 | 20000 | 16667 | sold u.V. | 0.8 |
54 | Buick | Series 40 Pick-Up | 1930 | Pickup | 30000 | 35000 | 61000 | 50833 | sold | 1.88 |
55 | Aero | 662 (18 HP) Roadster | 1934 | Roads. | 25000 | 30000 | 24000 | 20000 | sold | 0.87 |
56 | Ford | A Convertible | 1929 | Convertible | 30000 | 35000 | 30000 | 25000 | sold | 0.92 |
57 | Austin-Healey | Sprite Mk I Racing | 1959 | Roads. | 28000 | 32000 | 17000 | 14167 | not sold | 0.57 |
58 | Citroën | 2 CV A | 1954 | Lim | 25000 | 30000 | 25000 | 20833 | sold | 0.91 |
59 | Jaguar | Mk 2 3.8-Litre Beacham | 1962 | Lim | 85000 | 90000 | 60000 | 50000 | not sold | 0.69 |
60 | Willys | Jeep MB | 1944 | Jeep | 24000 | 28000 | 18000 | 15000 | u.V. sold | 0.69 |
61 | Riley | Two Point Six "Marathon Rally Car" | 1958 | Limo | 50000 | 60000 | 30000 | 25000 | u.V. sold | 0.55 |
62 | Monteverdi | Safari 5700 | 1978 | 4x4 | 35000 | 40000 | 28000 | 23333 | u.V. sold | 0.75 |
63 | Mercedes Benz | 280 CE | 1979 | Coupé | 10000 | 12000 | 9000 | 7500 | sold | 0.82 |
64 | Lancia | Flaminia GT 2500 Touring | 1961 | Coupé | 28000 | 32000 | 36000 | 30000 | sold | 1.2 |
65 | Opel | Manta B 2000 E "Irmscher Edition" | 1986 | Coupé | 12000 | 14000 | 8000 | 6667 | not sold | 0.62 |
66 | Chevrolet | Corvette Convertible | 1993 | Convertible | 16000 | 18000 | 14000 | 11667 | sold | 0.82 |
67 | Jaguar | XJ 12 Sovereign | 1986 | Lim | 8000 | 10000 | 6500 | 5417 | sold | 0.72 |
68 | Mini | 1000 | 1975 | Coach | 9500 | 11500 | 11000 | 9167 | sold | 1.05 |
69 | NSU | TT(S) | 1972 | Lim | 24000 | 26000 | 23000 | 19167 | sold | 0.92 |
70 | Morgan | 4/4 Two-Seater | 2001 | Roads. | 38000 | 42000 | 28000 | 23333 | u.V. sold | 0.7 |
71 | Renault | 4 CV | 1953 | Lim | 10000 | 12000 | 9000 | 7500 | sold | 0.82 |
72 | Rolls-Royce | Silver Shadow Drophead Coupé | 1970 | Convertible | 50000 | 55000 | 45000 | 37500 | sold under contract | 0.86 |
73 | Alfa Romeo | 2000 GTV | 1975 | Coupé | 26000 | 28000 | 18000 | 15000 | not sold | 0.67 |
74 | Jaguar | XJ-S V12 Convertible | 1989 | Convertible | 20000 | 22000 | 15000 | 12500 | not sold | 0.71 |
75 | Ford | Mustang 289 Convertible | 1968 | Convertible | 55000 | 60000 | 37500 | 31250 | not sold | 0.65 |
76 | Ford | Cortina Lotus Mk 1 | 1963 | Lim | 85000 | 90000 | 50000 | 41667 | u.V. sold | 0.57 |
77 | Citroën | SM Injection | 1973 | Coupé |
40000 | 45000 | 36000 | 30000 | sold under contract | 0.85 |
78 | Jaguar | E-Type V12 Coupé | 1972 | Coupé |
50000 | 55000 | 35000 | 29167 | not sold | 0.67 |
79 | Mercedes Benz | 190 SL | 1958 | convertible | 75000 | 80000 | 70000 | 58333 | sold | 0.9 |
80 | MG | TD | 1952 | Roads. | 38000 | 42000 | 27000 | 22500 | u.V. sold | 0.68 |
81 | Mercedes Benz | 280 SL California | 1968 | convertible | 54000 | 58000 | 47500 | 39583 | not sold | 0.85 |
82 | Maserati | Bora 4.9 | 1973 | Coupé | 155000 | 165000 | 140000 | 116667 | u.V. sold | 0.88 |
83 | BMW | 503 Coupé Series 1 | 1957 | Coupé | 195000 | 205000 | 180000 | 150000 | sold | 0.9 |
84 | Lamborghini | 400 GT Espada Series 2 | 1970 | Coupé |
85000 | 95000 | 125000 | 104167 | sold | 1.39 |
85 | Bristol | 411 Series 1 | 1970 | Coupé | 75000 | 85000 | 80000 | 66667 | sold | 1 |
86 | Talbot | K78 Convertible | 1931 | convertible | 65000 | 75000 | 57500 | 47917 | u.V. sold | 0.82 |
87 | Jaguar | Mk 2 3.8-Litre Saloon | 1962 | Lim | 34000 | 38000 | 35000 | 29167 | sold | 0.97 |
88 | Ford | Mustang 289 Fastback | 1966 | Coupé |
60000 | 65000 | 50000 | 41667 | not sold | 0.8 |
89 | Porsche | 356 B T5 Super 90 | 1961 | Coupé | 90000 | 100000 | 75000 | 62500 | sold under contract | 0.79 |
90 | Bentley | Continental Drophead | 1988 | Convertible | 68000 | 78000 | 64000 | 53333 | u.V. sold | 0.88 |
91 | Citroën | DS 19 | 1964 | Lim | 65000 | 70000 | 45000 | 37500 | u.V. sold | 0.67 |
92 | Jaguar | XK 120 Open Two Seater | 1953 | Roads. | 80000 | 85000 | 80000 | 66667 | u.V. sold | 0.97 |
93 | Ferrari | 550 Maranello | 1998 | Coupé | 44000 | 46000 | 45000 | 37500 | sold | 1 |