On March 28, 2020, the time has come again. In Toffen, 86 vehicles and some automobilia are ready to find new owners.
The total value of the vehicles on offer is CHF 3 million (EUR 2.8 million), so each lot is expected to fetch around CHF 35,000 or EUR 33,000.
The organization team around Reinhard Schmidlin has to break new ground due to the general coronavirus problem.
Preview and new opportunities to bid
The catalog that had already been sent out included an insert that spoke of an auction with 100 participants on site. In the meantime, all events in Switzerland are prohibited until 17 April 2020, so the Oldtimer Galerie had to reorganize once again.
"From now on, the auction vehicles can be viewed daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. after prior registration with correct social distancing.
All information about previews, use of the lift, test drives, written, telephone and online bidding can be found on the "Oldtimer Galerie Toffen Auction Service" page.
On the day of the auction, interested parties can then bid live by telephone or online from the comfort of their own home. It is even possible to follow the auction online (via invaluable.com). And, of course, you can submit written bids in advance."
So it is not possible to follow the auction on site, but thanks to the Internet and other means, it should be possible to bid without any problems. Telephone bidders are also very welcome. It is advisable to contact the classic car gallery beforehand.
86 classics from new decades
On March 28, 2020, 83 cars, two tractors and one motorcycle will be on offer in Toffen. On average, the vehicles are 45 years old, with ten decades actually represented in the catalog.
Three cars date from the pre-war period, including a pretty Ford Model A, as well as a Rolls-Royce 20/25 Convertible from 1935 and a rare Singer Senior Tourer from 1928.
The largest group, however, with 49 vehicles, is made up of post-war classic cars from 1948 to 1989, while the youngtimers are represented by 28 lots.
There are also six cars that are less than 20 years old, including the 2004 Cadillac XLR Roadster 4.6, which has been estimated at CHF 22,000 to 26,000, but will be offered without a minimum bid, as will almost exactly a third of the vehicles. So anyone looking for a bargain could well get their chance at the end of March.
Brand diversity
The 86 vehicles are spread across 37 brands. Mercedes-Benz and Jaguar have the largest share (9 cars each), followed by Porsche (5) and BMW, Ferrari, Ford, MG and Rover with four cars each.
More exotic brands such as Austin, Fisher, Nash, Singer or Spire only appear once in the lot list.
Two Jaguar pairs
Attention Jaguar fans.
Two interesting pairs are going under the hammer in Toffen, namely two Jaguar E-Types each as a coupé and convertible and two XJ-S V12s also as a coupé and convertible.
In addition, there is also a Jaguar XJ-SC, which was estimated at only CHF 15,000 to 20,000. But the E-Types should also be available at auction for a five-figure sum.
A Mercedes SL pair
The two Mercedes-Benz 190 SLs could be somewhat more expensive: one each from 1956 and 1960 will be auctioned, with estimated prices of CHF 85,000 to 95,000 for the older car and CHF 115,000 to 125,000 for the more expensive one.
But you can also drive a Mercedes Cabriolet for considerably less money, as an E 220 Cabriolet from 1995 (CHF 14,000 to 16,000) and an SLK 230 from 1997 (CHF 12,000 to 15,000) are also looking for new owners in Toffen.
The MGB couple
The two MGBs, a Coupé and a Cabriolet, are also playing a duet, offered for CHF 10,000 to 12,000 (GT) and CHF 18,000 to 22,000 (Roadster).
And for just a little more you could also buy a 1962 MGA Coupé or a 1951 TD at auction.
The elegant Nash
The 1954 Nash Rambler Custom, a comparatively compact American designed with the help of Pinin Farina, is certainly worth a closer look.
At CHF 20,000 to 30,000, the estimated price is relatively open, especially as the car is being auctioned without a minimum bid.
The (almost) untouched Renault 4 CV (rear)
In the 1960s, the Renault Heck was as much a part of the Swiss street scene as the VW Beetle, and it also had a rear engine. However, it had four doors and was therefore at least a little more suitable for families.
The example on offer shows the patina of a 60-year life and is offered for CHF 10,000 to 15,000 (no reserve price).
Sports car elite
Bids for the Porsche 911 Carrera Speedster from 1989 will have to be in a significantly different price range.
The red speedster with a flat windshield was estimated at CHF 170,000 to 180,000.
Those who like red but not German sports cars are advised to take a look at the Ferrari Testarossa from 1985 on offer. This is an early example with the high driver's side mirror (monospecchio) and the central locks.
The two-meter-wide sports car with Pininfarina design is on offer for CHF 95,000 to 125,000.
The special rarity - Triumph 1300
Only very few classic car connoisseurs have seen a Triumph 1300 on the road in recent years. Introduced in 1965, Standard Triumph responded to the Austin/Morris 1100 with this four-door model.
The design was created by Giovanni Michelotti and the Triumph 1300 looks like a small Dolomite, but had front-wheel drive. The blue Triumph 1300 on offer from 1969 is said to have covered just 6500 km and is offered for CHF 4000 to 6000, notabene "sans reserve".
A Frenchman in red
Red was certainly not the most common color in which the Citroën Ami 8 was delivered. But it suits the four-door car perfectly. The Ami 8 was inherited in 1969 and was more modern, but at the same time no less practical.
The car on offer, dating from 1971, was restored on the body side a few years ago and is in good to very good condition according to the catalog. The estimated value is CHF 8000 to 10,000.
Two special Rovers
For fans of British saloon car culture, the two Rovers with V8 engines are certainly worth a second look. On the one hand, there is the P6 3500 from 1972, a Swiss first delivery, which is now expected to cost CHF 14,000 to 18,000.
The SD1 Vanden Plas from 1982, on the other hand, is almost a miracle. With its Ferrari Daytona styling, it looks almost like a new car, has just 28,000 km on the clock and comes with a luxurious interior including air conditioning, power steering and leather upholstery. CHF 15,000 to 18,000 almost seems like a bargain.
Further information can be found on the Oldtimer Galerie Toffen website. The catalog can also be browsed online.
