Every Saturday at the Swiss Classic World classic car fair in Lucerne, the classic car gallery in Hall 2 auctions off around 50 classic cars. The same is planned again on June 1, 2024, and the cars that will be driven across the ramp one by one to show themselves to the bidders will be impressive.
On average, these cars are 51 years old and estimated at around CHF 96,500 (EUR 98,500). Seven cars will go under the hammer without a reserve price.
Mercedes-Benz, Porsche and Ferrari
With seven cars each, the Mercedes-Benz and Porsche brands are well represented in Lucerne, followed by Ferrari with five, Jaguar with four and Maserati and Rolls-Royce with three cars.
It is striking that the Ferrari sports cars are relatively young with an average age of 27 years, while the two Alfa Romeos on offer are 62 years old on average.
19 times open-top driving
With a 38% share, open-top cars are strongly represented.
The spectrum ranges from the Mercedes-Benz 190 SL (represented twice) to the Jaguar E-Type (as a V12), the Alfa Romeo Giulia Spider and the relatively modern Porsche 993 Cabriolet.
You can also buy quaint roadsters at auction in Lucerne, such as an Austin-Healey 100/6 or a Shelby Cobra 427 S/C.
And if you want something a little less airy, you might be interested in one of the three Porsche 911 Targa.
19 Coupés
Even less turbulence than in Cabriolets or Targas is known to occur in Coupés, and here too the classic car gallery can offer 19 cars.
The diverse selection includes, for example, an early De Tomaso Pantera, a Ford Mustang Fastback in Bullit style, an Alfa Romeo Giulietta SS, but also a Citroën SM, a Ferrari 512 BBi or a Mercedes-Benz 500 SEC.
Whether you want to drive comfortably, sportily or economically, there is the right coupé for every need. There are also some relatively modern cars among them, such as an Aston Martin DB7 Vantage, a Bentley Continental and a Ferrari 430 Scuderia, which is certainly in high demand, although at CHF 205,000 to 215,000 it is not yet the most expensive car in the auction.
Two Mercedes-Benz 600
Mercedes-Benz built just over 2600 W100s in the 1960s and 1970s, two of which will go under the hammer in Lucerne.
On the one hand, it is a 600 sedan from 1970, which is being offered for CHF 225,000 to 250,000 with receipts over CHF 400,000.
The second 600 is a rare Pullman with three side doors from 1966, of which only 124 were built. This limousine served as a chauffeur-driven limousine for Welt-Furrer AG and is said to have been used to transport the Rolling Stones, among others. Now CHF 230,000 to 260,000 is expected for this rare model.
A lot of car for the money
The classic car gallery for Lucerne has a number of cars on offer that will probably offer a lot of car for the money on June 1, 2024. This category includes the majestic Lincoln Continental V12 Convertible Coupe from 1947.
Only 738 such convertibles were produced by Lincoln in 1947 with a 5-liter V12 engine. The car was part of a collection for many years and was hardly used.
Apparently the engine turns over and the car runs, but work is now needed to restore the car to full working order. The estimated value is CHF 25'000 to 30'000, there is no minimum price for this car.
You can also buy a great car for little money with the magnificent Chrysler Valiant V200 from 1961, which has an automatic transmission with push-button operation as a special attribute. CHF 17,500 to 19,500 will probably be enough for a purchase, but the Chrysler will also go under the hammer without a minimum price.
A Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit cost CHF 213,500 in 1989. The Oldtimer-Galerie is putting a recently run-in example (mileage 108,000 km) in good and well-kept original condition under the hammer for CHF 20,000 to 25,000, which is roughly the price level for a used VW Beetle.
Rarities that cannot be found elsewhere
Of course, a VW Beetle is not a rarity in itself. But if it has not driven 1000 km in over 50 years, then it becomes one.
The gray VW Beetle 1300 from 1969 is expected to fetch CHF 40,000 to 45,000 in Lucerne.
At the Swiss Classic World, a pretty coupé from Simca, half the price of the Bertone, can be bought for about half the price. The 40 hp of the 944 cm3 rear engine does not exactly give it super sports car performance, but as a boulevard cruiser or concours visitor, that's fine - after all, CHF 21,500 to 23,500 is probably enough for a purchase.
The first really successful Maserati Granturismo sports car, the 3500 GT with Touring body from 1959, is also comparatively rare, with an estimated value of CHF 230,000 to 250,000.
The Borward Isabella limousine is rarely seen today. The Toffen team can offer an example from 1961 for CHF 20,000 to 25,000.
The Nash Airflyte Statesman Super from 1950 is unlikely to ever be seen on the road. The early aerodynamic limousine experiment only reached Europe in small numbers. The stately limousine is now estimated at CHF 20,000 to 25,000.
For exactly the same amount, however, you can also buy a 1959 Alvis TD21, which is also offered without a reserve price. The two-door saloon may not have a Graber body, but the straight-six engine is sure to keep you entertained.
And finally, one of the 258 TVR 3000 S ever built with a complete Swiss history should be mentioned. As a left-hand drive model, this handsome roadster is particularly rare and, at CHF 25,000 to 30,000, not even all that expensive. The engine from the Ford Capri (Essex V6 three-liter) and a halfway rainproof roof that can be put on guarantee suitability for everyday use.
So there will be no shortage of choice in Lucerne and, typically, no shortage of visitors either - after all, all the visitors to the Swiss Classic World trade fair are also welcome as spectators (and bidders).
Further information on the individual cars and many pictures can be found on the website of the classic car gallery.
