March 21, 2021 is the official start of spring, and on March 27, 2021 the Oldtimer Galerie Toffen will hold its traditional spring auction. 99 fully-grown vehicles (there will also be a few model cars and a children's vehicle for sale) will be on offer on site in Toffen.
However, no live audience will be admitted, but interested bidders and spectators will be able to attend and buy via a live stream, the partner online auction platforms or telephone contact.
The cars have been extensively documented in advance and additional documents and videos will be made available. On-site viewings can be arranged by appointment and those who wish can also be shown a particular car via video chat. Interested parties are therefore offered many opportunities to familiarize themselves with the offer.
Reinhard Schmidlin said: "Our customers are more and more used to bidding and buying with modern electronic tools; but of course we would much rather have a large audience on site than just communicate via the Internet. Unfortunately, however, progress in the fight against the pandemic does not yet allow for traditional auctions with live bidders in the room."
Germany ahead of Italy
The total value of the 99 vehicles (on a scale of 1:1) amounts to around CHF 3.9 million, meaning that an average of CHF 39,024 is expected per vehicle lot, ranging from CHF 1200 to 235,000.
The most vehicles on sale are from the Mercedes-Benz brand, with as many as 14 vehicles with the three-pointed star on offer. BMW follows with eight cars and Porsche with four as far as German brands are concerned. From Italy, Fiat is represented with six, Lancia with five and Alfa Romeo with four vehicles. The USA and Great Britain are of course also represented with large brand contingents.
Of course, there are also brands with only one vehicle at the start. For example, there is an Auto Union 1000 SP Coupé, an Autobianchi A112 or a Benelli Sei, one of several two-wheelers.
On average, the vehicles are 46 years old and the year of manufacture ranges from 1928 to 2011.
Pre-war jewels
Just five cars are from the pre-war period, but for fans of the veteran era, a closer look is definitely worthwhile. There is an Amilcar CGSS from 1928, a lightweight racing sports car from France.
33 hp may not sound like much, but when combined with a weight of only 550 kg, the result is quite sporty performance for an almost 100-year-old car. Estimated at CHF 60,000 to 70,000, this car should attract many potential buyers.
The Triumph Super Eight Saloon from 1933 is of a completely different nature. Unlike the Amilcar, as a saloon it was primarily intended to be an everyday vehicle, but today it is probably just as rare. At CHF 15,000 to 18,000, the British two-door car is estimated to be considerably cheaper.
In addition to the Amilcar and the Triumph, an Austin Seven Sports from 1929, a Ford Model A "Racer" from 1930 and a Rolls-Royce 20/25 Saloon from 1935 will also come under the hammer as pre-warriors.
Climber and other Fiat
More and more people seem to be interested in the original Fiat Panda, the rarer it is to be found on the road. The unmistakable Giugiaro design and the great utility value are certainly not unconnected to this.
A very special variant was offered in the form of the 4x4, with all-wheel drive providing impressive climbing capabilities. CHF 6000 to 8000 was demanded for the 1988 model on offer, including tilt indicator.
In addition to the Panda, there is also a 500 L from 1972, a 500 C Belvedere from 1953, an 1100 Speciale from 1962, a 2300 S Coupé from 1963 and a 124 Spider 1800 from 1974 for sale, the estimated values are all in the humane range.
Alpine exotics
Toffen can also boast two cars from Dieppe.
Both the A310 from 1980 with the V6 Euro engine and the Renault 5 Turbo 2 from 1985 with the four-cylinder mid-engine come from the (former) Alpine factory.
However, you could buy three A310s for the 5 Turbo 2, at least if you compare the estimated values.
MGB quartet
When do you ever see four MGBs at an auction, representing almost the entire construction period and all variants?
Not only three convertibles with and without the rubber bumpers enforced by the Americans are on offer, but also an MGB GT coupé.
The quartet is also painted in four different colors, the estimated values are between CHF 12'000 and 25'000.
Lancia quintet
The Lancia range of five cars covering the seventies and eighties is also interesting.
A Flavia 2000 HF Coupé represents the heritage from the 1960s, while the Delta HF Integrale from 1990 represents the all-wheel-drive youngtimer generation.
In addition, there is a now rare Beta HPE 2000 I.E. from 1984 and two Gamma Coupés.
Super classics too
Of course, a whole range of super classics from different eras will also be going under the hammer in Toffen.
There is, for example, a Jaguar XK120 OTS from 1954 (CHF 110,000 to 120,000), an Alfa Romeo 2000 Touring Sider from 1961 (CHF 85,000 to 95,000), a Mercedes-Benz 230 SL from 1965 (CHF 75,000 to 80,000), a Sunbeam Tiger from 1966 (CHF 65,000 to 70,000).
A Ferrari 348 tb from 1992 (in yellow, CHF 45,000 to 50,000), an Aston Martin Vantage V550 from 1995 (CHF 215,000 to 235,000) or a Lamborghini Murciélago from 2003 (CHF 140,000 to 150,000) are more modern.
And these are just a few examples from the super classic range.
For every budget
A good fifth of the lots are offered without a minimum price. These include, for example, the beautiful blue BMW M3 E36 from 1994.
A fifth of the vehicles also come under the hammer with estimated values starting below 10,000.
These include a Mercedes-Benz 280E from 1977, a VW Golf Cabriolet from 1987, a Chevrolet Corvette C4 from 1984 and the rare Zastava 600D from 1961. With regard to the Golf Cabriolet, it should also be noted that the bidding is for a good cause, as the proceeds from this lot will go entirely to the Swiss Professional Association for Nursing Staff. What a nice gesture!
The 1959 Austin-Healey Sprite Mk1 "Frogeye" and a 1988 BMW 325i Cabriolet E30 could also go for four figures on March 27, 2021.
Bidding could therefore be particularly worthwhile.
More information and lots of pictures (including of the underbody), including videos, can be found on the Oldtimer Galerie website. The auction catalog can be browsed online.