Held just a few days before the Blue Riband Formula 1 event, the Bonhams Monaco extravaganza this year comprises over 100 cars appropriate to the location; from the Beltoise Collection to thoroughbred exotica like this 1959 BMW 507 Roadster, estimated at EURO 240’000 - 280’000.
As befits the title, the Bonhams Europe team have gathered together examples from the very best manufacturers of road and competition machinery. Classic or modern, the selection is broad and of quality. Just 253 of Albrecht Goertz’s exquisitely styled BMWs were built in the late ‘50s, they were rarer in fact than a Mercedes-Benz 300SL, and this one is just one car out of The Silvano Cima Collection that is included in the Sale.
 1955 Lancia Aurelia B24S Spyder America |
 1954 Maserati A6G/2000 Zagato Berlinetta |
A Collection that also counts a car very much ‘of the moment’, the 1955 Lancia Aurelia B24S Spyder America at EURO 170’000 - 180’000, finished in its original metallic green with natural leather, and also fitted with the high-performance ‘Nardi kit’. There’s also a very attractive pre-war car, the 1938 Lancia Astura Sports Coupé by Pourtout - a one-off - at EURO 280’000 - 350’000, while enthusiasts of more modern machinery will be interested in Lots 275 – 283 ‘The Property of an Italian Collector’. In the latter section the Aston Martin fan will five examples of V8-powered Gentlemen’s conveyances, from a 1987 V8 Vantage 6.3 (1 owner, 6,980km), at EURO 60’000 - 70’000, to a 2000 Vantage Le Mans Coupé (automatic) at 140’000 - 160’000. This collection also includes a 1994 Bugatti EB110 (1 owner, 7,045km), EURO 200’000 - 250’000, and a 1988 Porsche 959 (2 owners, 24,150km) for EURO 150’000 - 200’000. Obviously a man of taste.
Held over from Rétromobile this year, the Jean-Pierre Beltoise Collection comprises cars that the great French F1 and sports car driver had amassed over the years - many of which to be sold without reserve - highlighted by the 1973 Matra-Simca MS670B, chassis ‘02’, the actual car that won the Le Mans 24 Hours of that year driven by Pescarolo and Larrousse. Having triumphed in the classic event the year before (Graham Hill/Henri Pescarolo), the team assembled an all-French entry for ’73, including Beltoise. Despite fierce opposition from Ferrari (the last time the Scuderia entered a works team at the race) Matra triumphed again. The car was used once more the following year with revised bodywork (plus long-tail at Le Mans) - the configuration it is in at present. ‘Estimate on Request’ is the price. A true piece of Le Mans history and - for the very brave - what must be a sure entry to the 2006 Classic Le Mans.
Of the ‘No Reserve’ Beltoise lots, mention must be made of the two Mercedes saloons, the 1967 600 Saloon for EURO 25’000 - 35’000 and that superb ‘Q Car’, the 1968 300SEL 6.3 for EURO 5’000 - 7’000. There’s also a nice Derby Bentley, the 1935 31/2 Litre Drophead Coupé by Park Ward at EURO 45’000 - 55’000.
 Period photo of Marcello Mastroianni with his Lancia Flaminia Supersport Zagato |
 2000 Aston Martin Vantage Le Mans Coupé |
It’s difficult to dip into the rest of the Sale for highlights without mentioning them all. Surely something that will sell for big money is the 1930 Mercedes-Benz 38/250 Type SS Factory Sports Tourer (Estimate On Request), while either of the two Lancia Flaminia Supersport Zagatos look nice - the 1964 ex- Marcello Mastroianni car, part of the Cima Collection, is perhaps the more desirable (and expensive) at EURO 110’000 - 120’000. And there's the 1955 Maserati A6G/54 Zagato Berlinetta, one of only 20 such cars built, at EUR 400’000 - 500’000.
There are three Mercedes 300SLs (two ‘Gullwings’ and a Roadster), while ‘The Property of Parisian Collector’ includes a 1962 Bentley S2 Continental Drophead Coupé at a reasonable EURO 60’000 - 70’000.
Pure competition machinery is represented by a significant number of Porsches, 1966 906 ‘Carrera 6’ (EURO 350’000 - 450’000), 1967 911R ex-Jo Siffert, used for film ‘Le Mans’, unrestored (EURO 300’000 - 400’000), and the 1969 908/2 ex-Works/ André Wicky (EURO 450’000 - 550’000), as well as rally cars from Renault Alpine (1971 1600 VB Group 3 ‘Competition Client’ EURO 55’000 - 65’000) and Fiat (124 Abarth Rallye Group 4 ex- 1978 Monte Carlo Rally EURO 55’000 - 60’000). There’s also a gorgeous little 1964 Simca Abarth 2000 Corsa, EURO 130’000 - 140’000, and a fearsome ex-Louis Morand 1969 Lola T70 MkIIIB, at EURO 325’000 - 375’000 restored and race-ready.
And we haven’t even mentioned the 2000 McLaren F1, with factory upgrades and only 1,500 miles - ‘Estimate on Request’! Pick of the bunch for your author? It’s got to be the ex-Siffert Porsche 911R, to be restored in ‘washing machine white’ with matt black wheels just as it left the factory - very nice, but better start saving...
 1967 Porsche 911R ex-Jo Siffert |
 1969 Lola T70 MkIIIB |
The Sale is held within the at the Collection de Voitures Anciennes de SAS Le Prince de Monaco, Automobilia starting at 15:00 and the Motor Cars at 18:00.
Viewing Dates and Times:
Saturday, 14th May 2005 12:00 - 19:00
Sunday, 15th May 2005 10:00 - 18:00
Monday, 16th May 2005 09:00 - 15:00
Click HERE to view the complete lotlist.
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Bonhams Europe S.A.
7 Av. Pictet-de-Rochemont 1207 Geneva Switzerland Tel: 0041 22 300 31 60 Fax: 0041 22 300 30 35 [email protected] |
Text - Steve Wakefield
Photos - Bonhams
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