The Oldtimer Galerie auction on the Saturday of the Swiss Classic World in Lucerne has been a highlight of the classic car fair in Central Switzerland for years. On May 31, 2025, the Oldtimer Gallery will put 44 cars worth a total of almost CHF 4 million under the hammer.
On average, the vehicles are almost 51 years old. Not quite a third of the cars will go under the hammer without a reserve price.
Classics among themselves
With seven Mercedes-Benz, six Ferrari, four Jaguar and three Lancia, well-known classic brands are well represented. But there are also exotic cars at the start, some with racing roots such as Lola or Tecno.
There are 17 open-top cars (convertibles and Targas), 14 coupés and seven saloons. The three monopostos and other body shape minorities are the salt in the soup.
Former everyday cars
With an average price of almost CHF 90,000 per car on offer, the inexpensive everyday cars of yesteryear cannot make up the majority, but some of them will also be driving across the stage in Hall 2 in Lucerne.
One example is the inevitable VW Beetle, an orange 1302 from 1971 on May 31, which is looking for a new owner for CHF 18,000 to 22,000.
The Opel Olympia Rekord has become rare, a model from 1953 is on offer for CHF 8000 to 10,000.
CHF 16,000 to 20,000 was set for a Volvo Amazon 122 S from 1964, and CHF 40,000 to 50,000 for a Citroën DS 23 Break from 1973.
This 1995 Ford Escort RS Cosworth 4x4 is not a classic everyday car, but it is at least based on one, and is hoping to find a new garage for CHF 60,000 to 70,000.
Ferrari super classics
Collector cars with the little horse on the hood are well represented.
The Ferrari 250 GT Coupé Pinin Farina from 1958 is the most expensive car in the auction. With this model, Ferrari took a step towards industrialization. Ferruccio Lamborghini also owned such a coupé, even before he built sports cars himself. CHF 450,000 to 500,000 has been set for this elegant car.
A cheaper way to drive a manual touring coupé at Maranello is with the 400 GT from 1978, estimated at CHF 65,000 to 75,000.
A 308 GTS from 1980 is estimated at CHF 70,000 to 80,000, while the Testarossa from 1991 with low mileage costs CHF 125,000 to 135,000.
And then there is also a Dino 208 GT4 from 1975 for sale for CHF 50,000 to 55,000.
The Aston of Johnny English
It wasn't James Bond, but his "successor" Johnny English, who drove a blue DB7 Vantage with a V12 engine in the film "The Spy Who Blew It".
The car eventually ended up in Switzerland and is now set to pass into new hands for CHF 50,000 to 60,000, including the movie license plates.
Mercedes duo
Mercedes-Benz is also represented with an impressive line-up.
The 280 SE 3.5 Coupé and Cabriolet duo from 1972 and 1971, which are looking for new owners for CHF 55,000 to 65,000 and CHF 280,000 to 300,000 respectively, are certainly exceptional.
For cabriolet fans, there is also a 170 S Cabriolet B from 1950, a 190 SL from 1956 and a 250 SL from 1967 for sale.
The formula trio
Rather unusual for an auction at a classic car show and probably not suitable for a drive down the ramp are three formula racing cars from the late sixties and seventies that will go under the hammer.
These are a Tecno F3 from 1969, a March 742 F2 from 1974 and a Lola T460 Formula Atlantic from 1976, all of which are expected to sell for between CHF 50,00 and 85,000.
Exotics
Two pre-war cars, including a 1936 MG SA, will be on sale in Lucerne.
More recent are a TVR Taimar from 1978 (coupé with tailgate), which is expected to fetch CHF 20,000 to 25,000, a Nissan Patrol with in-line six-cylinder engine from 1972, for which CHF 25,000 to 35,000 is expected.estimated at CHF 25,000 to 35,000, and an almost new Morgan 4/4 from 2012, estimated at CHF 35,000 to 40,000.
Classic offspring
For those who prefer younger cars, the classic car gallery has a Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren from 2005 (CHF 280,000 to 300,000), a Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster from 2013 (CHF 170'000 to 180,000), a McLaren 675 LT from 2016 (CHF 225,000 to 235,000) or an almost new Ferrari Portofino M from 2023 (CHF 250,000 to 275,000, no reserve price).
However, the list of 44 cars is not yet complete with the vehicles already mentioned.
For American fans, there is a Ford Mustang, a Chevrolet Corvette C1 or a Pontiac GTO Convertible.
Fans of refined British motoring may be drawn to the Bentley Mark VI, the two Jaguar saloons on offer or the 1939 Rolls-Royce Wraith.
In any case, there will be no shortage of choice in Lucerne, with everything from everyday classics to racing cars on offer, so it will be interesting to see how visitors to the show will enjoy the range.
More information and pictures can be found on the website of the Oldtimer Galerie Toffen.
