The auction of the classic car gallery in snow-covered Gstaad at the end of the year is a cherished tradition. Every year, the festival tent in the glamorous winter sports resort offers space for around 50 classic cars. While the day of the week changes, the date is always fixed: December 29, right between the holidays.
The 2023 offer includes 44 cars, a tractor and three motorcycles, which together were valued at around CHF 6.8 million. Some automobilia will also go under the hammer.
Cars from ten decades
Serge Stotzer and his team have managed to organize two or more vehicles from every decade from the 1930s onwards.
The oldest two cars are an elegant Alvis Speed Twenty SC Drophead from 1934 and an exclusive Bentley 3 1/2 Litre Derby Drophead Coupé from the same year.
At the other end of the age spectrum is an almost new Mercedes-Benz AMG GT Black Series from 2022.
Ferrari, Porsche and Mercedes-Benz
With 26 manufacturers in 48 vehicles, a wide range is guaranteed, but of course there are still a few clusters.
Ferrari leads the brand rankings with six cars, followed by Porsche (5) and Mercedes-Benz (4).
Aston Martin, Land Rover and Maserati are represented with three cars each, all other brands with a maximum of two vehicles.
Gstaad and James Bond
Roger Moore, one of the James Bond actors, is known to have spent a lot of time in Gstaad.
With the Aston Martin DB5 from 1964, the world's most famous secret agent is well represented, even if the gadgets are missing. After all, the Aston is painted in the "right" color and estimated at CHF 800,000 to 850,000.
If you don't want to invest quite so much and are interested in newer equipment, you could also take a look at the Aston Martin Vantage 007 Edition from 2021, which even comes with matching skis, although the package is also expected to cost CHF 205,000 to 215,000.
Like Churchill once did
Anyone interested in history and famous people should take a look at the 1947 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith in which Winston Churchill was once chauffeured around.
The car also left its mark in Gstaad at the time and is now set to find a new owner in restored condition for CHF 105,000 to 115,000.
Many super classics
There will be no shortage of "blue chips" in Gstaad.
Whether Ferrari 512 BBi, Fiat Dino Spider 2.0, Ford Thunderbird, Maserati 3500 GT, Mercedes-Benz 190 SL or Porsche Turbo Cabriolet, the choice is considerable.
And could easily be supplemented by Austin-Healey 100/4 BN1, Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray (Split Window), Mercedes-Benz 280 SL (Pagoda) or Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith II.
Whether convertible, coupé or limousine, all types are available.
Specialties
It's also worth taking a look at the more unorthodox cars in Gstaad.
Examples include the AC 428 Frua as a fastback from 1969 (CHF 140,000 to 150,000), the Bristol 408 from 1965 (CHF 150,000 to 175,000) and the Morris Mini Cooper 1275 S from 1968 (CHF 45,000 to 55,000). The latter is being offered without a reserve price, as are seven other vehicles.
Many youngtimers
Fans of younger cars are also likely to discover interesting vehicles in the Gstaad range, for example the Porsche 964 black-and-white duo as a coupé and convertible, the Maserati 3200 GT ...
... or the young Ferrari models 360 Modena or 599 GTB as well as the BMW-Alpina Z8 from 2003 for CHF 185'000 to 195'000.
A 1993 Ford Escort RS Cosworth 4x4 for CHF 105,000 to 115,000 could also be just the right car for some people.
It can also be cheaper
However, the entry threshold is significantly lower if you are content with two wheels, a Honda Monkey is already available for CHF 4000 to 7000, a Fiat Panda 4x4 from 1994 for CHF 10,000 to 15,000.
However, with an average value of CHF 141,208, not too many low-priced vehicles can be expected.
As every year, interested parties will have the opportunity to view the vehicles on December 28 from 10:00 to 19:00 and on December 29 from 10:00 to the start of the auction at 16:00. Bids can be submitted on site, by telephone, in writing or online. The auction itself will take place in the Festival Tent, Sportzentrumstrasse 5, 3780 Gstaad.
Further information and many pictures of the individual vehicles can be found online on the Oldtimer Gallery website.
