Bonhams Europe's sixth annual Ferrari Sale ended Friday evening with over 76% of lots sold for over Swis Francs 5.8 million across the three categories offered including Ferrari motor cars, fine Ferrari Automobilia and Ferrari models, and fine Wristwatches. This sale witnessed unprecedented scenes as so many attended that entry to the saleroom in Gstaad’s Palace Hotel ballroom had to be restricted to registered bidders only. Object of the bidders’ enthusiasm included the Michel Lepeltier Collection of 14 road-going Ferraris, brought to the market after 13 years spent in storage in Geneva, hidden from the public.

From the moment that the first Lepeltier Collection Ferrari – a limegreen 1976 308 GTB Vetroresina – was knocked down far above estimate by auctioneer Robert Brooks the tone of the evening was set. Lepeltier’s low-mileage Ferrari F40 was acquired by a past friend of the late collector who made a touching speech after securing the car, declaring that Lepeltier had been “a great friend and a good man”; Lepeltier was, of course, killed trying to prevent the theft of this car.

Top prices achieved included the gorgeous 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta, Lot 264 – sold back to its homeland for SFR 950,000. It was acquired by Modenese industrialist, collector and event organizer Dr. Mauro Bompani, who plans to have the car fully restored. The metallic silver grey 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 Berlinetta raised SFR 455,000 in unrestored condition and is also going home to Italy.

Pretty little 246 didn't get to lower estimate of SFR 90K	Sleek Superfast Speciale slip slided away at SFR 380K	550M GT with no race wins had no takers	Would you pay £270k for this? Neither would anyone else

Amongst other cars, a spectacular 1980 ex-NART Ferrari 512 BBLM - a two time Le Mans veteran – was sold to France for SFR 400, 000, despite a pre-sale announcement that the engine had been swapped. The yellow 365 GTB/4 Daytona Berlinetta – the 1972 Geneva motor show car – achieved SFR 170,000. This car had been bought brand new by Michel Lepeltier and had only 37, 496 kms on the odometer.

A distinctive green 1964 Ferrari 500 Superfast Speciale with 4-liter engine built to the order of HRH The Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands is now returning to its original home for SFR 380,000.

The 1:10 scale Ferrari 250 TR58 – one of only two built by celebrated Italian modelmaker the late Michele Conti – sold for SFR 31,050, whilst a 1:2 scale 1965 Ferrari P2 child’s car was secured for a young collector for SFR 18,400, several times the price of a sister example offered in a London sale just weeks ago.

Over one thousand people, bidders, enthusiasts, collectors and spectators from all over the world had come to the luxurious Hotel Palace in fashionable Gstaad to attend the now legendary auction.

“After working for more than five years to secure the Michel Lepeltier Collection, it seems incredible that we have finally sold it! It was quite emotional to see the collection dispersed and the public interest was greater than anything we have ever witnessed here in Gstaad”, said Simon Kidston, President of Bonhams Europe.

© Marcel Massini 22/12/2003

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