When Swiss car bodies meet - special features at Bonhams in Gstaad
Hermann Graber only built three coupés based on the Bentley Mark VI 4 1/2 Litre. Two of them have survived; the one with chassis number B146MD from 1951 will go under the hammer at Bonhams in Gstaad on July 3, 2022.
One of these elegant coupés, whose lines were typical of Graber's work, was on display at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1951. Perhaps it motivated the first owner, Hans Rufener, to buy it.
Now the car, which has won many international prizes, is to find a new owner for CHF 200,000 to 300,000. We published an extensive report on the convertible version, which was also available on a Mk VI basis, a few years ago.
Another car with Swiss bodywork in Gstaad will be the Alfa Romeo 1900 C "Spider Razza" from 1956, to which we have already dedicated a detailed history .
The doorless car in the shape of a barchetta was built by Carozzeria Ghia-Aigle based on drawings by Giovanni Michelotti and is now expected to cost CHF 300,000 to 400,000 .
Speaking of Graber and special bodies. Of course, Charlesworth is not a Swiss coachbuilder, but Alvis is the brand with which Hermann Graber has worked the longest. In Gstaad there is a pre-war car of the brand for sale and it is one of 32 Speed Twenty SC Drophead Coupés that were fitted by Charlesworth.
The car was partially restored some time ago and can be purchased in Gstaad with a replacement engine for CHF 80,000 to 120,000.
While we're on the subject of rarities: While Aston Martin built a not inconsiderable number of V8 sports cars between 1969 and today, the V8 Volante LWB remained quite rare. Only 64 such convertibles with a 20 cm longer wheelbase were built at the end of the 1990s, and more than 25 left-hand drive cars were built. One of them can be purchased at auction in Gstaad for CHF 130,000 to 170,000. According to Bonhams, this is the only practical open four-seater from Aston Martin since the Second World War. And it's green to boot!
We published an announcement about the Bonhams auction in Gstaad with a complete lot list a few days ago. A very early Monteverdi with Frua bodywork and many other exciting classics are also for sale there.
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