On August 24, 2024, Emil Frey Classic Auctions will hold its auction premiere under the title "Masterpieces of Automotive History". Claudia Stiller and her team have put together 38 classics on two and four wheels that will go under the hammer at the Emil Frey Classic Center in Safenwil.
The 38 vehicles are worth a total of CHF 7.7 million (EUR 8.3 million). Each lot is therefore expected to fetch around CHF 204,000 (EUR 218,000).
In contrast to other auction houses, Emil Frey Classic Auctions also communicates the minimum prices in the catalog, which are on average 88% of the lower estimate. Claudia Stiller explains that this has been carefully considered. They wanted to contribute something new and were happy to take a different approach to see whether transparency and honesty would win out in the end.
The vehicles will be auctioned off by the two auctioneers Beat von Ballmoos and Thomas Münch. In addition, the international DJ Markus Hinzke will provide the atmosphere in the supporting program.
The vehicles can be viewed in Safenwil from 09:00; an aperitif riche will be offered at 11:00. The auction is scheduled to start at 13:00. After four hours, the vehicles will be auctioned off and the "After Auction Drink" will take place in the club room on the top floor of the Classic Center.
Wide range on offer
On average, the vehicles are just over 64 years old. Three cars and the rare Terrot HT motorcycle from 1928 date from the pre-war period, while the youngest car was built in 1973. The sixties are particularly well represented with 16 cars.
The Jaguar brand has the largest range with eight cars (nine if you include the Daimler). Four Austin-Healey, three Ford and Mercedes-Benz follow, all other brands are represented with a maximum of two vehicles.
There are saloons, coupés and convertibles, the latter being the most common body type, accounting for around half of the range.
For the friend of the "american drive"
The six American classics on offer should be of particular interest to fans of well-maintained cruising.
Two generations of the Ford Thunderbird, a Ford Mustang Mach 1, a Pontiac Super De Luxe Catalina, a Chevrolet Corvette and a particularly rare Studebaker Avanti will go under the hammer.
Four Austin-Healey
The range of typically British Austin-Healey models is extensive. Two early four-cylinder versions of the big Healey and two three-liter versions are on offer.
One of the flagships of the auction is the Austin-Healey 100 S from 1955, number 18 of 50 examples produced, with which Donald Healey wanted to ensure victories for private and works drivers at the time. The 100 S was stronger and lighter than the normal Austin-Healey sports cars. With the 100 S, you are welcome everywhere, even at the Mille Miglia. It is no wonder that CHF 690,000 to 750,000 is expected as the highest bid here.
Special rarities
Of course, Emil Frey Classic Auctions also offers a wide range of super classics.
There are three GT cars from the Emiglia Romagna, a Ferrari 250 GT 2+2, a Maserati 3500 GTI and a Lamborghini Islero. However, the selection of specialties documented in the auction catalog is also interesting.
The most expensive car in the auction is a Bugatti Type 59/50 Monoposto. It is a lovingly hand-built replica of the famous racing car, built over many years using partly original parts. CHF 1.6 to 1.75 million is expected.
Also rare is the 1935 Jaguar SS1 as a Four Light Saloon, which was completely rebuilt from a ruin a few years ago in around 7000 hours of work and caused a sensation at many concours. The estimate was CHF 116,000 to 132,000.
The Aston Martin DB6 Volante is also very rare. The example on offer from 1969 is one of only 141 cars of this type built. The car was converted from RHD to LHD in the 1990s. Now CHF 770,000 to 840,000 is expected to change hands when it is sold.
Another rarity is the BMW 327/28 from 1938, which represents the more comfortable version of the BMW 328 primarily used for racing, was completely restored in this millennium and also took part in the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este. Now estimated at CHF 215,000 to 250,000.
And the Studebaker Avanti with plastic bodywork has already been mentioned above. It is also rare and, at CHF 42,000 to 46,000, not all that expensive.
Cheap cars too
Of course, there are also vehicles for smaller budgets in Safenwil. It starts at CHF 12,500 to 14,500 for a 1949 Subeam S7 sidecar. And the second cheapest vehicle is a motorcycle: namely one of the lesser-known Terrot brand.
For CHF 29,000 to 35,000 you can buy a 1970 MGC or a 1970 Fiat 124 Spider at auction.
For an MGA you have to invest CHF 40,000 to 45,000, two Jaguar limousines are even cheaper.
A visit to the auction is certainly worthwhile even if you don't want to invest six-figure sums straight away.
Further information and more pictures of the cars can be found on the Emil Frey Classic Auctions website, as well as in the auction catalog.
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 | MG C | 1970 | 29'000 | 35'000 | 31'030 | 37'450 | |
| 02 | Fiat 124 Spider | 1970 | 29'000 | 35'000 | 31'030 | 37'450 | |
| 03 | Mercedes-Benz 230 SL | 1964 | 98'000 | 108'000 | 104'860 | 115'560 | |
| 04 | Jaguar E-Type S1 FHC | 1963 | 140'000 | 155'000 | 149'800 | 165'850 | |
| 05 | Aston Martin DB4 | 1969 | 465'000 | 565'000 | 497'550 | 604'550 | |
| 06 | Jaguar MK 1 | 1957 | 38'000 | 43'000 | 40'660 | 46'010 | |
| 07 | Austin-Healey 100 | 1956 | 82'000 | 89'000 | 87'740 | 95'230 | |
| 08 | Jaguar XK150 FHC | 1958 | 95'000 | 115'000 | 101'650 | 123'050 | |
| 09 | Ford Mustang Mach I | 1971 | 70'000 | 85'000 | 74'900 | 90'950 | |
| 10 | Jaguar XK120 FHC | 1953 | 88'000 | 98'000 | 94'160 | 104'860 | |
| 11 | Mercedes-Benz 190 SL | 1957 | 145'000 | 160'000 | 155'150 | 171'200 | |
| 12 | Maserati 3500 GTI | 1962 | 235'000 | 255'000 | 251'450 | 272'850 | |
| 13 | BMW 327/28 Cabriolet | 1938 | 215'000 | 250'000 | 230'050 | 267'500 | |
| 14 | Ford Thunderbird | 1957 | 56'000 | 62'000 | 59'920 | 66'340 | |
| 15 | Bugatti Type 59/50 B | 1936 | 1'600'000 | 1'750'000 | 1'712'000 | 1'872'500 | |
| 16 | Dino 246 GT M-Serie | 1971 | 390'000 | 420'000 | 417'300 | 449'400 | |
| 17 | Chevrolet Corvette | 1960 | 95'000 | 105'000 | 101'650 | 112'350 | |
| 18 | Austin-Healey 100 S | 1955 | 690'000 | 750'000 | 738'300 | 802'500 | |
| 19 | Jaguar XK140 DHC | 1955 | 110'000 | 125'000 | 117'700 | 133'750 | |
| 20 | Aston Martin DB6 Volante | 1969 | 790'000 | 840'000 | 845'300 | 898'800 | |
| 21 | Jaguar MK X | 1962 | 35'000 | 38'000 | 37'450 | 40'660 | |
| 22 | Terrot HT | 1928 | 15'500 | 17'500 | 16'585 | 18'725 | |
| 23 | Jaguar SS1 Four Light Saloon | 1935 | 116'000 | 132'000 | 124'120 | 141'240 | |
| 24 | MG A | 1961 | 40'000 | 45'000 | 42'800 | 48'150 | |
| 25 | Lamborghini Islero S | 1969 | 395'000 | 435'000 | 422'650 | 465'450 | |
| 26 | Mercedes-Benz 250 SE Cabriolet | 1967 | 122'000 | 126'000 | 130'540 | 134'820 | |
| 27 | Bentley S2 | 1961 | 78'000 | 85'000 | 83'460 | 90'950 | |
| 28 | Alfa Romeo 2000 GTV | 1972 | 68'000 | 72'000 | 72'760 | 77'040 | |
| 29 | Jaguar E-Type S3 V12 Convertible | 1973 | 110'000 | 125'000 | 117'700 | 133'750 | |
| 30 | Pontiac Super De Luxe Catalina | 1950 | 48'000 | 55'000 | 51'360 | 58'850 | |
| 31 | Austin-Healey 3000 Mk II | 1962 | 50'000 | 65'000 | 53'500 | 69'550 | |
| 32 | Ferrari 250 GT 2+2 | 1961 | 550'000 | 600'000 | 588'500 | 642'000 | |
| 33 | Ford Thunderbird | 1963 | 42'000 | 46'000 | 44'940 | 49'220 | |
| 34 | Studebaker Avanti | 1963 | 42'000 | 46'000 | 44'940 | 49'220 | |
| 35 | Austin-Healey 3000 Mk III | 1964 | 60'000 | 65'000 | 64'200 | 69'550 | |
| 36 | Sunbeam S7 mit Seitenwagen | 1949 | 12'500 | 14'500 | 13'375 | 15'515 | |
| 37 | Alfa Romeo Giulietta Spider | 1959 | 77'000 | 85'000 | 82'390 | 90'950 | |
| 38 | Daimler Sovereign 4.2 | 1973 | 18'000 | 21'000 | 19'260 | 22'470 |
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
