For the third time, the Oldtimer Galerie is organizing an auction as part of the Swiss Classic World classic car fair in Lucerne. On June 3, 2023, 43 automobiles and two motorcycles will go under the hammer. On average, the vehicles are 55 years old and worth around CHF 3.8 million in total. An average of around CHF 83,500 is therefore expected per car or motorcycle. Six cars will be sold without a reserve price.
Mercedes-Benz, Porsche and the others
Mercedes-Benz has the largest contingent with five cars, followed by Porsche with four and Chevrolet and VW with three. Bentley, Citroën and Ferrari are represented with two cars, all other 23 brands with one car each.
While the two Ferraris and the four Porsches are on average 40 years old, the age of Mercedes-Benz, Chevrolet and Citroën is significantly higher.
Unorthodox pre-war Americans
The five pre-war cars on offer from Lucerne are certainly unusual, four of which come from the States.
While the British Humber 16/60 from 1935 is a convertible, the four Americans are limousines from the Hudson, Graham, Oldsmobile and Cadillac brands. The prices for all these cars are in the CHF 20,000 to 40,000 range.
Hot sweepers
If you're less in the mood for a leisurely pre-war drive and more in the mood for speedy pass crossings, you should perhaps take a look at some of the younger cars with a particularly good power-to-weight ratio.
One example is the VW Golf GTI from 1980, which has 110 hp and weighs around 800 kg. The estimated value of CHF 45,000 to 50,000 shows that the GTI has many fans.
Of course, the Audi RS2 from 1995, which also offers the advantage of an estate rear end and was built by Porsche, is significantly more powerful. CHF 70,000 to 80,000 are set here.
The Lancia Thema 8.32 received its engine from Ferrari; the red saloon with the electrically extendable rear spoiler is offered for CHF 30,000 to 35,000.
The Subaru Impreza WRX STI from 2001 is also quite sporty. Over 200 turbo boxer horsepower tug at all four wheels, a pleasure to pass on to a new owner from CHF 35,000 to 40,000.
By the way, the Chevrolet Chevelle SS 396 should not be lacking in propulsion either ...
Super classic
Well over half of the Lucerne range can be classified as "super classics".
This starts with an Alvis TD21 Graber Special Coupé from 1959, which is looking for a new owner for CHF 105,000 to 115,000.
The Aston Martin V8 Volante with Vantage specification from 1981 is expected to be even more expensive, estimated at CHF 175,000 to 185,000.
An elegant BMW 635 CSi coupé from 1979 is available at a lower price, with an estimate of CHF 28,000 to 32,000.
Two Chevrolet Corvette C1 and C2 with valuations just under CHF 100,000 represent the only American large-scale production sports car of the sixties.
The French compete with a Citroën DS 19 from 1961 and a 1971 SM with fuel injection.
The hot-blooded Italian sports cars are represented by a Ferrari 308 GTB QV from 1985, a Ferrari 512 BBi from 1982 and a Lamborghini Espada from 1970.
A Pagoda 280 SL from 1969, a 190 SL from 1961 and a 220 SE Cabrioelt from 1960 compete with a Mercedes star.
And from Porsche there is a 356 C Cabriolet from 1964, a 911 S 2.4 from 1972 (with oil flap) and a 911 turbo 3.3 liter from 1978 for sale, all in the low six-figure price range.
Exotic cars
If you are looking for classics outside the "mainstream", you should perhaps take a look at the silver Marcos 2 Litre GT from 1970, which has a Ford V4 under the hood.
CHF 50,000 to 55,000 are set here.
The NSU Ro 80 from 1972 with Wankel engine is also something special. The design was years ahead of the competition and the twin-disc Wankel engine ran more smoothly than the shaking engines from Audi, Mercedes and the like. The four-door model is now expected to cost CHF 20,000 to 25,000.
The Mercedes-Benz AMG 300 SEL 6.8 from 1970 may be less exotic as a basis than a racing car and replica of the famous touring car with the nickname "Rote Sau", but it is a replica that is hardly inferior to the original in terms of performance. An estimated value was not given here.
And then one should not forget the compact but extremely elegant Siata Daina from 1950 as a Berlinetta. This model made it into the Museum of Modern Art and is still likely to impress many a judge at a concours today. At CHF 175,000 to 195,000, however, this Italian beauty is one of the more expensive cars in the auction.
For the smaller budget?
If you can or want to spend less, you can of course take a closer look at the cars for which a lower bid below the estimated value may be enough to make a purchase.
Examples include a 1957 VW Beetle as an Ovali (CHF 14,000 to 18,000), but also a 1965 Triumph TR4 (CHF 25,000 to 35,000) or a classy 1975 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow (CHF 25,000 to 30,000).
The open Renault 4 CV from 1951 and VW Beetle 1303 Cabriolet from 1979 will not be sold for less than the minimum price, but are expected to sell for around CHF 30,000.
Preview and follow along
From Thursday, June 1, 2023, the cars can be inspected in Lucerne, on the first day without admission, then from Friday 12:00 with an admission ticket to Swiss Classic World. The vehicles will still be available for viewing on Saturday, but at 17:00 the auction will take place with a drive-by of the vehicles in front of the public in Hall 2.
The auction will also be broadcast via the Internet, but it is of course more exciting to follow it on site.
You can browse through the auction catalog online or order a printed copy from the Oldtimer Galerie. And of course the Oldtimer Galerie website has even more photos and information on the individual vehicles.
