Cars

PANDOLFINI AUCTION ON NOVEMBER 24TH
Pandolfini is the oldest Italian Auction House, having been founded in 1924. Every year, it is among the first three Houses in the Country in terms of turnover.
Its main areas of activity are Antiques, Fine Art, Wine, Jewels and Watches, Books and Silverware.
In 2017 a new Classic Automobiles Department has been opened, as no other Auction House had been selling classic cars in Italy for more than thirty years.
The sale planned for November the 24th is their first ‘Winter’ sale, as the previous ones were held in Spring or Summer.
Pandolfini has decided to concentrate on the medium part of the classic car market, rather than specializing in top-level lots.
As the Head of Department, Marco Makaus, explains: “- we prefer to deal with real cars for real people. We do have, from time to time, very special lots, but our main aim is to offer our existing customer base a channel to market their youngtimer or classic cars, or to offer them good opportunities should they want to start collecting.
We are working synergically with every other department, and most of the time manage to create cross-opportunities.
Classic Driver is very important for us as we want to increase our international customer base. As a matter of fact, for various reasons, many older Italian collectors are reducing their stock, and as a multi-discipline player we often manage to intercept cars that are out of the main dealers’or show market: this creates great opportunities for international collectors wishing to find an original Italian car.-“
Two such examples from Pandolfini’s next sale are a perfectly restored one owner 1969 Alfa Romeo 1750 GTV (offered at € 50,000-55,000), practically impossible to find in these conditions, and a 1960 Lancia Appia Lusso by Vignale (€ 27,000-35,000), a model built in very limited numbers originally and maintained in as new, unrestored condition.
From the collections of expert enthusiasts also come a 1957 (thus Mille Miglia eligible) Aurelia B20 6th Series (€ 150,000-190,000) and a 1953 Bristol 403 which has been completely and competently restored (offered at € 55,000-65,000), as well as a Ducati-imported Triumph TR4 A IRS in showroom condition (€ 35,000-40,000) and a Mercedes-Benz 190 SL, certified to have been built in 1957, which makes it another possible Mille Miglia entry (offered at € 120,000-150,000).
For the Porsche lovers, there’s a delectable 1972 small bumper 911 S at € 35,000 – 40,000: a good car that needs work, it will be perfect for someone who wants a 911 project.
A very rare and outrageously powerful 2002 twin-turbo Bentley Arnage T, always maintained by the same official service garage, is offered at only € 52,000.
But for many the gem may be a car that, at first glance, seems very ordinary: a 1980 Volkswagen Golf GTi 1600 5 Speed. Sold by the original owner with only 32,000 kms and with all the papers, service booklet, owner’s manual in the original pouch. This may really be a unique chance to find a correct, one-owner specimen of a model which is fast becoming very sought after.
The sale will take place in Pandolfini’s own deposit in Prato, near Florence, instead of the usual venue at the Hotel Villa la Massa, which is closed for refurbishments.