As the last classic car auction of 2007, what indications for market activity in 2008 can be gleaned from this year's Gstaad sale?
It was a fair-to-good result for the company, top seller being the 1966 Ferrari 275 GTB/2 6C Berlinetta long nose at CHF 1,241,468. Most cars sold at the upper ends of their estimates, with the unsold lots coming from areas of collecting slightly difficult to price (and thus weaker in more uncertain economic times) such as the 'recreated' 1960-type Grand Prix Ferrari Dino 246 and modern racing Ferrari 550 Maranello.
The lesson that can be taken away from Gstaad was that if you have a car with proven desirability (the 275 GTB and 275 GTS) its value will hold firm and most likely increase in 2008. The Ferrari Classiche Certification will have helped the Rosso Rubino two-seater no end, as did the known history, Enzo Ferrari connection and magic '250 GT' nomenclature of the 1958 Ferrari 250GT Berlinetta. The white car sold strongly for CHF 414,796 (estimated at CHF 360,000 - 400,000).
 1958 Ferrari 250GT Berlinetta - Sold for CHF 414,796 |
 1969 Maserati Mistral 3.7-Litre Spyder - Sold for CHF 304,572 |
Other significant sales included the 1965 Ferrari 275GTS Spider (CHF 800,576), CHF 304,572 for the 1969 Maserati Mistral 3.7-Litre Spyder that carried an estimate of CHF 200,000 - 250,000, and the 1950 Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 Super Sport Cabriolet finding a new owner at CHF 403,773. The latter was a beautiful car, having covered just 19,733km from new.
All the Dinos and Daytonas sold, although two models much-tipped by pundits did not fare so well; two out of the three Boxers failed to find buyers and the vetroresina 308 GTB was withdrawn . However, potential buyers of 'BBs' will be encouraged by the CHF 227,416 of the one selling Boxer; a 1980 Ferrari 512 BB setting an auction record price for the type.
The CHF 143,587 achieved by the 1990 Ferrari 328GTS may seem a lot - until you see that the car in question was the last of its type delivered to Switzerland, and was in 'as-new' condition having just 99km 'on the clock'.
 1974 Lancia Stratos HF Stradale Coupé - Sold for CHF 277,017 |
 1972 Ferrari Dino 246GT Berlinetta - Sold for CHF 210,883 |
 1990 De Tomaso Pantera GT5S Coupé Sold for - CHF 155,074 |
 1974 Ferrari 365GTB/4 ‘Daytona’ Berlinetta - Sold for CHF 458,885 |
One of the headlining cars, the 1952 SIATA 208 CS 2+2 Berlinetta, also went unsold. Carrying a pre-sale estimate of CHF 450,000 - 550,000, the super-rare car exhibited early 1950s styling that - for the money - did not have the desirable looks of cars even as 'ordinary' as a standard Ferrari 250 GT. The same fate probably befell the 1954 Ferrari 250 Europa.
Prior to the motor car entries, Bonhams Europe auctioned over 130 lots of automobilia, including the Alberto Ascari collection of motor racing trophies and ephemera, successfully sold for CHF 30,827, as well as achieving CHF 28,000 for an original Ferrari 750 Monza sales brochure (est. CHF 700 - 900) .
Bonhams first motor car sale of 2008 will be at Rétromobile, Paris, on February 9th.
Please CLICK HERE to see the full results.
Text - Steve Wakefield
Photos - Bonhams
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