Bonhams, Gstaad Palace

[DITTRICH]

Bonhams - Sale Items

As some may have noticed, I was asking questions about importing cars. I have now decide not to go for the 500e in lot number 2. Unless the mileage is very large, it would seem to be a bargain and a favourite car of someone very rich "entertainment between board meetings!". It is unusual to see a 1 owner example.

Best of Luck to anyone who might bid.

 

[corned]

Interesting post - thanks.

I have to say that I was actually a tad disappointed with the list. Very tame by Bonhams standards. The only piece of true exotica there, in my opinion, is Lot 19 - the Porsche 959, the estimate for which seems very cheap!

My choice, however, out of all of them would be Lot 15.

Lot 20 has its attractions too.

 

[G55AMG]

Several of those estimates are way off! Half or less of what they'll make

 

[C43AMG]

Lot 17 for me.

 

[Satch]

I once went to the Gstaad Palace Hotel and my (Swiss) host ordered coffee, for which he was charged such a staggering sum that he objected.

The waiter was polite but firm, telling him that he should know full well that whilst in Switzerland it is customary to rip off tourists, in Gstaad it is customary to rip off everyone, Swiss included.

 

[DITTRICH]

Several of those estimates are way off! Half or less of what they'll make

The 500e looked way undervalued.
But it depends who turns up and what they want on the day.
I llooked on pistonheads and mobile.de

 

[G55AMG]

The 500e looked way undervalued.
But it depends who turns up and what they want on the day.
I llooked on pistonheads and mobile.de

Definitely a low estimate IMO - if it were to come at anywhere near the top reserve you'd be laughing, as even with 16% buyer's premium, 17.5% VAT and delivery/registration charges it will land around £8k (I'm 99% sure there is no 10% import duty due to a trade agreement between CH and the EU).

I'd have been a contender for this car, looks to be a perfect example and wonderful provenance, but having bought a Lotus Carlton this week I declare myself out!

Best of luck

The 911RS and 959 are the real standouts for me, and again estimated way under what they're listing at around the big Euro dealers. Very interesting auction, one to watch for sure!

 

[HowardD]

having bought a Lotus Carlton this week I declare myself out!

Best of luck

I owned a Lotus Carlton for 2 years from 2000.

Although it was a hooligan of a car to drive, parts were absurdly expensive, many are NLA from VX and everyday things such as a clutch or waterpump failure could put the car off the road for weeks.

YouTube - Lotus Carlton(Omega) vs. Police Saab 9000 Turbo

This is a great video of a LC being chased by a police 9000t

 

[G55AMG]

I owned a Lotus Carlton for 2 years from 2000.

Although it was a hooligan of a car to drive, parts were absurdly expensive, many are NLA from VX and everyday things such as a clutch or waterpump failure could put the car off the road for weeks.

YouTube - Lotus Carlton(Omega) vs. Police Saab 9000 Turbo

This is a great video of a LC being chased by a police 9000t

Believe me I've done my homework, know there are quite a few possible pitfalls! Looks like I lucked out on it - coming from the original owner, only done 37k miles - so fingers crossed it's relatively smooth sailing, will just be a weekend toy so will have a charmed life

Apologies for going off topic somewhat re. the Gstaad auction!

 

[G55AMG]

Made well above the reserves, as expected!

Including buyers premium, excluding VAT -

500E circa £19k
911RS circa £135k
959 circa £145k

The Porsches actually look decent buys, Merc around its figure I reckon

Any luck with the 500E, Dittrich?

 

[DITTRICH]

SOLD for around CHF30,000!
At chf1.60=gbp1.00 that's close to £20K