Auctions at classic car fairs are popular, and the hammer will also be swinging at the Swiss Classic World Lucerne on May 25, 2019. The well-known Oldtimer Galerie Toffen will be offering 45 cars and a motorcycle worth almost CHF 4.5 million (EUR 3.7 million).
Wide range
On average, the vehicles on offer, including a Moto Guzzi Le Mans III from 1983, are 51 years old. Six cars represent the youngtimer generation, three cars are from the pre-war period, the rest are in between.
As many as 26 brands are 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 represent the exotic segment.
2 Maserati Ghibli
Only 1250 Maserati Ghibli were built between 1966 and 1973, and they are among the most beautiful cars in history, designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro. So it is rather rare to be able to buy two Ghibli cars at the same auction.
This will be possible in Lucerne. A recently extensively restored gold-colored coupé from 1968 with Swiss history and a red US example from 1969 that was restored around 20 years ago.
Estimates range from CHF 365,000 to 385,000 for the gold-colored coupé and CHF 195,000 to 225,000 for the red car.
One of 502 Evo 2
The Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.5-16 Evo 2 was created almost 30 years ago to give the Stuttgart team a winning car in the DTM. A lot of racing technology and aerodynamic optimizations, including a huge rear spoiler, set the Evo apart from its more well-behaved counterparts, but also made it really expensive.
Although no less frequently built than its predecessor, the Evo 1, the Evo 2 models now command around twice the price. The specialists at Toffen estimate CHF 175,000 to 195,000 for the Swiss example with 130,000 km on the clock.
The 1992 Opel Lotus Omega, which is looking for a new owner for CHF 70,000 to 75,000, is also one of the faster younger saloons.
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.
An estimated price of CHF 45,000 to 55,000 has now been set for the coupé. However, it is being sold without a reserve price.
10 Americans
As many as ten cars of American provenance will go under the hammer in Lucerne. These include extremely attractive vehicles such as the 1951 Ford Custom Country Squire Station Wagon, a station wagon with wooden elements that was very popular at the time.
CHF 60,000 to 70,000 does not seem excessive for this attractive car.
The chassis of the 1939 Dodge D11 also comes from the USA, but was given a convertible body by Graber in Switzerland. The estimate is CHF 40,000 to 50,000 and the car will be auctioned without a reserve price.
Other American cars from Chevrolet, Plymouth, Studebaker and others round off the US offering.
The special Ford Capri
The Ford Capri celebrates its 50th birthday in 2019. It is therefore fitting that a second-generation Capri V6 2-3-liter coupé is going under the hammer in Lucerne. This was equipped with a May-Turbo at the time and has always remained in the same family.
The estimated value is now CHF 25,000 to 30,000.
Luxury GTs
Granturismo vehicles for customers with luxury requirements were built by Facel Vega in the fifties and sixties and Jensen for over half a century.
One car from both brands is on offer from Lucerne, namely a Facel Vega FV3 from 1957 (CHF 145,000 to 165,000) and a Jensen Interceptor Convertible from 1976 (CHF 90,000 to 110,000).
Bentley Continental Drophead from 1988 (CHF 55,000 to 65,000) and its modern successor Bentley Azure from 1996 as the newest car in the auction (CHF 95,000 to 110,000) as well as an Aston Martin V8 Volange Vantage Spec from 1981 (CHF 175,000 to 195,000) naturally fit into the same category.
Pearls and trouvailles
There is actually something special to say about practically all the cars competing in Lucerne, such as the Lancia Fulvia 1600 HF Coupé from 1971, the Alfa Romeo Giulia 1600 Sprint from 1963 or the BMW Z1 from 1989.
Two Volvo P1800s and a Citroën DS 23 Pallas from 1973 are also fun to drive and are just as much a part of the popular classics as a Mercedes-Benz 190 SL or BMW 635 CSi.
On Saturday from 16:00
The auction will take place in Lucerne in the late afternoon of the first day of the fair, with the hammer falling at 4:00 pm. The vehicles can be viewed in Lucerne two days beforehand, i.e. from May 23, 2019. Bids can also be placed online; the relevant addresses are listed in the auction catalog.
On the website of the Oldtimer Galerie Toffen, there are not only many pictures of the vehicles on offer but also the auction catalog for download.
Offered Vehicles
The following table lists all offered vehicles with estimated prices. The price conversion was made at the exchange rate valid at the time of publication. All information is provided without guarantee.
| Lot | Car | Year | NoR | CHF Est from | CHF Est to | EUR Est from | EUR Est to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Volvo P 1800 ES | 1973 | Yes | 18'000 | 25'000 | 15'840 | 22'000 |
| 02 | Alfa Romeo 2000 GTV Bertone | 1972 | 30'000 | 35'000 | 26'400 | 30'800 | |
| 03 | Plymouth Fury Convertible | 1962 | 34'000 | 36'000 | 29'920 | 31'680 | |
| 04 | Ford Capri 2.3 S Turbo May | 1977 | 25'000 | 30'000 | 22'000 | 26'400 | |
| 05 | Moto Guzzi 850 Le Mans III | 1983 | 14'000 | 16'000 | 12'320 | 14'080 | |
| 06 | BMW 635 CSi | 1985 | 35'000 | 40'000 | 30'800 | 35'200 | |
| 07 | Mercury Park Lane Convertible | 1960 | 35'000 | 50'000 | 30'800 | 44'000 | |
| 08 | Bristol 403 | 1954 | Yes | 45'000 | 55'000 | 39'600 | 48'400 |
| 09 | Mercedes-Benz 220 S Cabriolet | 1958 | 58'000 | 68'000 | 51'040 | 59'840 | |
| 10 | Volvo P 1800 S | 1966 | 30'000 | 35'000 | 26'400 | 30'800 | |
| 11 | Porsche 911 2.7 Targa | 1976 | 75'000 | 80'000 | 66'000 | 70'400 | |
| 12 | Aston Martin V8 Virage | 1990 | 70'000 | 75'000 | 61'600 | 66'000 | |
| 13 | Chevrolet Nomad Station Wagon | 1960 | 25'000 | 35'000 | 22'000 | 30'800 | |
| 14 | Jaguar Mk V 3.5-Litre Drophead Coupé | 1950 | 75'000 | 85'000 | 66'000 | 74'800 | |
| 15 | BMW 326 Limousine | 1936 | 75'000 | 95'000 | 66'000 | 83'600 | |
| 16 | Ford Cortina Mk 1 Lotus | 1963 | Yes | 40'000 | 50'000 | 35'200 | 44'000 |
| 17 | Lancia Fulvia Coupé 1600 HF "Fanalino" | 1971 | 60'000 | 70'000 | 52'800 | 61'600 | |
| 18 | BMW Z1 Roadster | 1989 | 65'000 | 70'000 | 57'200 | 61'600 | |
| 19 | Maserati Ghibli 4700 | 1969 | 195'000 | 225'000 | 171'600 | 198'000 | |
| 20 | Mercedes-Benz 190 SL | 1957 | 115'000 | 120'500 | 101'200 | 106'040 | |
| 21 | Chevrolet Corvette C1 | 1961 | 95'000 | 105'000 | 83'600 | 92'400 | |
| 22 | Bentley Azure | 1996 | 95'000 | 110'000 | 83'600 | 96'800 | |
| 23 | Opel Lotus Omega | 1992 | 70'000 | 75'000 | 61'600 | 66'000 | |
| 24 | Mercedes-Benz 190 E 2.5-16 EVO 2 | 1990 | 175'000 | 195'000 | 154'000 | 171'600 | |
| 25 | Citroën CX 25 Prestige Turbo 2 | 1989 | 65'000 | 75'000 | 57'200 | 66'000 | |
| 26 | Chevrolet Camaro RS/SS 396 | 1967 | 80'000 | 85'000 | 70'400 | 74'800 | |
| 27 | Facel Vega FV3 | 1957 | 145'000 | 165'000 | 127'600 | 145'200 | |
| 27A | Lancia B20S GT 2.5-Litre Series VI | 1957 | 125'000 | 145'000 | 110'000 | 127'600 | |
| 28 | Aston Martin V8 Volante Vantage Specification | 1981 | 175'000 | 195'000 | 154'000 | 171'600 | |
| 29 | Alfa Romeo Giulia 1600 Spider | 1963 | 75'000 | 85'000 | 66'000 | 74'800 | |
| 30 | Studebaker Champion Convertible | 1951 | 55'000 | 65'000 | 48'400 | 57'200 | |
| 31 | Range Rover Classic Convertible | 1981 | 85'000 | 125'000 | 74'800 | 110'000 | |
| 32 | Excalibur 35X | 1965 | 60'000 | 70'000 | 52'800 | 61'600 | |
| 33 | Jensen Interceptor III Convertible | 1974 | 90'000 | 110'000 | 79'200 | 96'800 | |
| 33A | Bentley Continental Drophead | 1988 | 55'000 | 65'000 | 48'400 | 57'200 | |
| 34 | Dodge D11 Cabriolet Graber | 1939 | Yes | 40'000 | 50'000 | 35'200 | 44'000 |
| 35 | Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud II Convertible Mulliner | 1961 | 280'000 | 320'000 | 246'400 | 281'600 | |
| 36 | Maserati Ghibli 4700 | 1968 | 365'000 | 385'000 | 321'200 | 338'800 | |
| 36A | Ferrari 365 GT 2+2 | 1970 | 300'000 | 350'000 | 264'000 | 308'000 | |
| 37 | Bentley 4 1/4-Litre Concealed Drophead Coupe | 1938 | 295'000 | 325'000 | 259'600 | 286'000 | |
| 37A | Bentley Mk VI Drophead Park Ward | 1952 | 180'000 | 200'000 | 158'400 | 176'000 | |
| 38 | Ford Custom Country Squire Station Wagon | 1951 | 60'000 | 70'000 | 52'800 | 61'600 | |
| 39 | Alfa Romeo GT 1300 Junior | 1972 | 40'000 | 50'000 | 35'200 | 44'000 | |
| 40 | Citroën DS 23 i.e. Pallas | 1973 | 75'000 | 100'000 | 66'000 | 88'000 | |
| 41 | Buick Special Convertible | 1955 | 55'000 | 65'000 | 48'400 | 57'200 | |
| 42 | Alfa Romeo Giulia 1600 Sprint | 1963 | 55'000 | 65'000 | 48'400 | 57'200 | |
| 43 | Mercedes-Benz 280 SE Coupé | 1968 | Yes | 50'000 | 60'000 | 44'000 | 52'800 |
All information is provided without guarantee.
Legend: Column NoR = No Reserve (no minimum price), Column S = Status (V = Sold, N = Not sold, Z = Withdrawn, U = Under reserve)
Est = Estimate, HP = Hammer Price, SP = Sale Price
