March 14, 2002

		--- PHOTO GALLERY --- All photos by Marcel Massini [click here]

Hundreds of collectors, enthusiasts and professional dealers met in Geneva, Switzerland, on Monday, March 11, 2002, for the 6th Annual Automobile Auction organised by Bonhams (Europe) SA in conjunction with the 72nd Annual Geneva motor show. The Bonhams sale was held in the famous automobile museum situated only 3 minutes from Geneva's international airport.

The main sale was preceded by a selection of rare Automobilia, which attracted many collectors from all over the world. Eighty percent of these lots were sold. Ferrari literature is always in high demand: A top price was paid for an original 3-page sales brochure of the 1966 Ferrari 275 GTB/4, achieving no less than US$ 685 and went to a major Swiss collection.

The excitement continued with the sale of the famous "S" collection, which consisted of many convertibles and spiders assembled for more than 30 years by a German collector residing in Geneva. The main attraction of this collection and the Bonhams' Geneva star car was the white 1959 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider with open headlights (chassis #1505 GT). This stunning automobile was delivered new by Swiss Garage Montchoisy in Geneva and has now been sold to an English collector after a long battle on the telephone between the buyer and a Swiss collector. This fabulous topless Ferrari was sold for Swiss Francs 1'058'000 or US$ 629,761.

Despite huge interest before the auction for the 1960 Ferrari 250 GT Spider Nembo (chassis #1777 GT), enthusiastic bidding finally did not reach the reserve price and the beautiful one-off car remained unsold (highest bid was US $565,476). Negotiations continued after the sale. On the other hand, an excellent result was achieved for the black/tan Ferrari 365 GTS/4 Daytona Spider, a rare and genuine European version, delivered new in Switzerland. Bonhams sold it for US$ 345,654 to a Geneva-based collector.

The Ferrari 330 GTS Spider was sold back to its Italian homeland for US$ 177,172, while a Mercedes-Benz 300 S Cabriolet was sold to Poland for US$ 157,351. For US$ 180,476 a Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster found a new owner in Portugal. A virtually brand-new 1989 Ferrari 328 GTS, an US-Version sold new by FAF Motorcars in Tucker/GA with delivery mileage of only 87 miles was sold to England and made a stunning US$ 59,565.

A French dealer paid US$ 127,619 for the red 275 GTB/6C with longnose by Scaglietti. Unsold remained a Dutch 1989 Ferrari F40 as the highest bid was only US$ 154,761. Most cars were in generally good condition but the silver 246 GTS Dino Spider and the 250 GT Nembo Spider definitely need some care. The 1961 Bentley S2 Continental Flying Spur, originally owned by Hollywood film director Mervyn Le Roy sold for US$ 78,065 to a Geneva-based Bentley enthusiast. A rare and unusual 1971 AC 428 Cabriolet sold for way over the estimate and achieved US$ 69,476. It found a new home in the USA.

Bonhams had selected 30 percent fewer cars than in the previous year. It was interesting to observe the bidding battles between various important collectors all based in the Geneva region and against the foreign bidders. President Simon Kidston of Bonhams Europe commented after the sale: "We are very happy and satisfied with the result as 70 percent of the cars offered today have found new owners. The market for classic cars is sound and stable."

© Marcel Massini 13/03/02