The spring auction at the Oldtimer Galerie in Toffen has been one of the standard dates for many years for anyone looking for an old car (or motorcycle) or wanting to sell one. On 23 March 2024, the time has come again. 88 vehicles worth around CHF 2.7 million will go under the hammer.
Around three quarters of the vehicles have four or at least three wheels, while 25 motorcycles, a scooter and a moped round off the offer. The two-wheelers account for around nine percent in terms of value and are estimated at just under CHF 10,000 per lot, although rare Moto Guzzis and MV Agusta are also on offer.
While most motorcycles are offered without a reserve price, the proportion of "no reserve" lots for cars is a good third (36%).
63 cars for an average of CHF 30,750
Five car brands will be represented in Toffen with at least a handful of vehicles, namely Fiat (6), Mercedes-Benz (6), Ford (5), Jaguar (5) and Rolls-Royce (5). All other brands, including exotics such as BSA, Singer and Velorex, will have a maximum of one to four cars on offer.
The average age of the cars on offer is around 54 years, six cars are from the pre-war period, five from the new millennium and 29 are from the 1960s and 1970s.
25 percent open cars
In keeping with the start of spring, many convertibles and some roadsters will be up for auction in Toffen on March 23, 2024.
Whether it should be an open-top Mercedes-Benz (as 190 SL, 280 SL W113, 280 SL R107 or 500 SL R129) or a rustic Triumph TR3 A from 1960 is up to the bidder's taste.
In addition to frequently seen vehicles, there are also some rarities in this segment, such as the Singer Nine Le Mans from 1933, the BSA TW1- Sports from 1931 or the Sebring MX Roadster from 1994, which is a descendant of the Austin-Healey.
Young cars that are largely suitable for everyday use can also be purchased, e.g. the Fiat Barchetta from 1998, the Ford Thunderbird from 2003 or the luxurious Bentley Continental GTC 6.0 from 2008.
Many limousines
The wide range of limousines from all eras is (as always in Toffen) exceptionally diverse.
Whether Citroën 11 BL (Traction Avant), Daimler V8 Saloon, Fiat 125 Speciale, Ford Cortina/Taunus, Jaguar Mk 2/Mark VII/XJ or Mercedes-Benz 280 SEL 3.5, it's all there. Even a VW Beetle (Mexico) is not missing.
However, the Plymouth Savoy from 1960 with its huge tail fins and the five Rolls-Royce models produced between 1927 and 1993 are certainly special treats.
Young and very young classics
There is no shortage of choice for fans of young cars either. An Audi RS2 Avant from 1995, for example, represents the spearhead of Audi at the time when it came to very sporty estate cars.
Three Ferrari models (456M GT, FF and F12 Berlinetta) represent the prancing horse from Maranello.
And then there is a young Morgan 4/4 Roadster from 2012, which combines pre-war feeling with modern technology.
Some exotics
There will also be no shortage of really rare cars in Toffen on March 23, 2024. And they don't even have to be immensely expensive.
For example, you can buy a 1948 Alvis TA14 Shooting Brake at auction for CHF 25,000 to 30,000.
For CHF 10,000 to 15,000, you could become a cab owner with the 1953 Austin FX3.
In the 1938 Dodge Six D10 Deluxe Sedan you can feel like an American salesman in the 1930s, in the 1963 Fiat 2300 S Coupé like an Italian television star of the 1960s.
Very rare, especially in this country, is the Jensen GT, a shooting brake version of the Jensen-Healey with the Lotus four-cylinder on board. With CHF 20,000 to 25,000 you are in the ballpark here.
The Jensen Interceptor II from 1970 is somewhat more expensive, but hardly seen much more often.
Once a common sight, but today an exotic car is the Peugeot 304 as a Break from 1978, which is now offered for CHF 18,000 to 22,000.
The once common Fiat Fiorino based on the 127, a likeable little guy with a lot of utility value, can hardly be found on the roads anymore.
Not really exotic, but comparatively rare, the Ferrari 308 GTB, which is offered as a QV version from 1983 for CHF 80,000 to 90,000, is an unrestored car with known previous owners.
In summary, almost everyone should find something in the new Oldtimer Gallery auction catalog that is worth a visit to Toffen or at least encourages bidding on the computer. After all, there is a good chance of finding a new treasure at a particularly good price, as half of the vehicles will be sold without a reserve price.
Further information and pictures of the individual cars can be found on the Oldtimer Gallery website, where the catalog can also be ordered or downloaded.
