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Enthusiastic bidding, both 'live' in the luxurious Palace Hotel saleroom and by telephone from bidders across Europe, the USA and Asia, realised a sale total of over SFr 4.6 million (US$ 3,250,000). Of 37 Ferraris originally offered, 3 were withdrawn prior to the sale, 21 were sold (62%) and 13 remained unsold. Despite difficult economical times with a recession in several European countries this is still a good and satisfying result. The Bonhams sale consisted of three parts with the historic Ferrari motor cars, related Automobilia and Literature and Patek Philippe Wristwatches and Fine Diamond Jewellery. The highest price achieved was a spectacular SFr 1,086,000 or US$ 765,000 for the "founding Ferrari", the earliest complete Ferrari supplied to a paying customer and, in all probability, the earliest surviving competition Ferrari. The 1947-48 166 Spider Corsa chassis #002 C is indeed a significant motoring landmark, a red sculpture on wheels. This superstar of the 2002 Gstaad sale has found a new home in one of Europe's finest collection owned by an enthusiastic Swiss industrialist. The next oldest Ferrari in the auction was also a gem. A 375 MM Coupé Ghia, serial number 0476 AM, built for wealthy US client Robert Wilke in Milwaukee. With its salmon and gunmetalgrey paintwork, this unique Ferrari, a glamorous throwback to the 1950s, was displayed at the 1955 Torino motor show and today shows just 13,140 km on the speedometer. Highly original, never restored and with a lovely patina but heavy looking, it failed to sell. This car, in Swiss ownership since 1987 and carefully preserved, should actually go back into an American collection and perhaps be shown at the Ferrari meeting in Pebble Beach 2004? The ex-Jo Schlesser 1960 250 GT SWB Berlinetta Competizione, serial number 2209 GT, painted in the Madagascan colors white with a green stripe, was forecast to fetch SFr 1,200,000 to 1,500,000. It is owned by an English connoisseur since 1980 and had been on the market for quite some time. The car has a good racing pedigree with a 3rd place in the 1960 Paris 1000 kms. Is it perhaps because of the non-matching engine and the rebody that this lovely SWB did not sell in Gstaad? Other lots from the 1960s included a road and a race example of the 1964 250 GT Lusso Berlinetta by Scaglietti. These cars are considered by many to be the prettiest Ferraris of all time. Both Lussos in Gstaad were painted dark metallic blue (Blu Sera) with tan interiors. The road Lusso has had two prominent owners with former Swiss race driver Jo Siffert and Swiss sculptor and metal artist Jean Tinguely. Serial number 5303 GT was unrestored and also showed a good patina. It made a stunning price of SFr 332,060 or US$ 234,000, a sum which is very high for a Lusso and clearly reflects the provenance and originality of this particular car. The Competition Lusso with serial number 5367 GT had been painstakingly restored to the highest level by its fastidious Swiss owner. The interior was untouched and in nice original condition. A super-rare car and ready to race, it came with an exceptional racing pedigree which includes the 1964 Tour de France with Charly Muller and Heini Walter. This car is pictured in Jess Pourret's famous "250 GT" book and is the same automobile which was originally displayed on the Ferrari stand at the 1964 Geneva motor show. The high quality, the provenance, the racing pedigree and only three owners in 38 years resulted in a super price at the Gstaad sale: SFr 597,350 or US$ 421,000. It was sold to a well-known Swiss collector and joins a stable that includes a Maserati 250 F. For those who preferred the more muscular lines of the 275 GTB Bonhams offered a fabulous 275 GTB/4 in azzurro metallizzato (lightblue) with a light red interior called by the factory arancia (orange). A very low mileage car that had spent most of its life in the sun of Florida, the four-cam was one of the highlights in Gstaad and achieved no less than SFr 641,750 or US$ 452,000. It has now found a new home in Texas. Another Ferrari 275 in Gstaad was the red 1964 275 GTS Spider which sold for SFr 258,800 (US$ 182,000). Eleven years ago, in November 1991, this car had been sold in the legendary Orion Solo Ferrari auction in Monaco for FFr 1,380,000. The new owner is a prominent German jeweller and watch manufacturer who will no doubt use this stunning topless Ferrari in rallyes and classic car events throughout Europe. Three most interesting Formula One Ferraris of 1972, 1980 and 1984 were available in Gstaad but none of them sold. The group included the famous "Spazzaneve" or "Snow-plough", a rather bizarre looking prototype which never raced. The market for these mono-posti is certainly a bit limited. After all, what can you do with such a racecar? Hang it on the wall in your bedroom, or occasionally rent a race track to play (if you don't already own your own circuit). Spare parts are almost unobtainable and maintenance costs must be absolutely expensive. No fewer than five Daytonas were offered in Gstaad. An early white Berlinetta with plexi-glass headlight covers and in stunning condition sold to California, while a red Berlinetta, converted from RHD to LHD, remained in European ownership. Also offered was an original Daytona Spider, an US-Version which originally belonged to legendary stuntman Evel Knievel, one of only 121 examples built. It failed to sell, however. In sensational condition was another Daytona Spider, also a red example with a tan interior. This car had been converted from a Berlinetta into a Spider by Swiss Daytona specialist Edi Wyss and Car-rozzeria Brandoli in Montale near Modena. Fanatically rebuilt with a brand new engine and a wonderful Luppi interior this virtually brand new automobile made SFr 258,800 or US$ 182,000. Excellent value for little money. What a deal! Among the youngest cars of the sale was an F40, an F50 and a 550 Barchetta, all painted red of course. While the F40 and the F50 failed to sell, the 550 Barchetta achieved SFr 319,850 or US$ 225,000. Supplied by an Italian collector it will now be based in Switzerland. A black 330 GTS Spider with red interior, one of only 99 built, coming from Spain, was sold to a dealer in Belgium. This lot was the last one sold at the auction. About 700 people attended Bonhams' Friday evening Ferrari sale which was conducted by the ever charming Robert Brooks and Malcolm Barber. With just a few days before Christmas, timing and venue was perfect with many of the rich and famous spending their winter holidays in the Bernese Oberland. Several prominent collectors from all over the world and many American and European dealers attended the sale in Gstaad. Total turnover of the Ferrari car sale is a whopping SFr 4,615,940 or US$ 3,250,662. The Bonhams Gstaad Ferrari auction has clearly demonstrated the overall trend: only the very best cars in top condition, with correct engines, excellent provenance and impeccable pedigree and history, sell well and achieve strong and high prices. Click here for auction results © Marcel Massini 24/12/02
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British
auctioneer Bonhams held its 5th annual Ferrari only sale on Friday, 20
December 2002, at the fashionable Palace Hotel in Gstaad, Switzerland.
It was a journey through the history of Maranello's famous marque, both
on display and for sale. 
