Bonhams is returning to the world-famous Swiss Alpine resort of Gstaad this summer for the first time in 14 years, for The Gstaad Sale on Sunday 3 July, presenting a boutique selection of collector’s motor cars at the renowned Gstaad Palace Hotel, led by a rare, jet-inspired Lamborghini Reventon.
The limited-edition supercar shares its DNA with the firm’s earlier Diablo and Countach models and of course the Murciélago, and likewise was named after a famous fighting bull. The Reventon was the most extreme Lamborghini to date when it was unveiled in the late Noughties.
A mere 15 carbon-fibre and aluminium bodied convertibles were produced at the Sant’Agata Bolognese factory in Northern Italy.
Aeronautic inspired styling, including aircraft style LCD controls in an aluminium dashboard was matched by its blistering performance thanks to one of the era’s most powerful aspirated engine, a 6.5-litre 670PS V12 unit, which could trace its ancestry back to the first Lamborghini. The car’s top speed of 330km/h and explosive 0-100km/h acceleration in 3.4 seconds warranted the addition of a G-force meter.
This 2010 example has had only two owners and has covered just over 2,400kms since new – never having been driven by the current vendor. It is offered in ‘as new’ condition, with an estimate of CHF1,850,000-2,200,000.
Looming in the rear-view mirror of the Reventon are two examples from traditional sportscar rival Ferrari: a 1991 F40 (estimate CHF1,600,000 – 2,000,000), considered one of the last great ‘analogue’ supercars, and a 1972 example of the firm’s landmark 365 GTB/4 ‘Daytona’ Berlinetta (CHF550,000 – 750,000).
Introduced to celebrate Enzo Ferrari’s 40 years as a motor manufacturer, the F40 was the last Ferrari to be personally overseen by ‘the old man’ prior to his death in 1988. The lightweight mid-engine Berlinetta was a thinly disguised racing car, with its panels of carbon fibre and unmistakable high rear aerofoil designed by Pininfarina, and was the first production passenger car to have a top speed of more than 200 mph.
This example was delivered new to Switzerland where it has been kept by only two owners, the vendor since 1996. Presented in immaculate condition, the car has covered just over 20,000kms and is offered with all books and tools.
The Daytona, which gained its soubriquet from Ferrari’s 1-2-3 win at the US circuit in 1968, was the fastest production car of its time, reaching a top speed of 170 mph (273km/h), powered by an all-alloy V12 engine, housed in its Pininfarina-designed body with its distinctive and influential shark-nose.
Owned by the vendor since 1996, this matching-numbers Daytona is registered in Switzerland.
Made in Switzerland
The country may be more famous for the art of watchmaking but has had a thriving industry in coachbuilding, particularly in the 1950s, and The Gstaad Sale presents an array of fine examples of such Swiss craftsmanship.
1958 Alfa Romeo Ghia Aigle, estimate CHF300,000 – 400,000
This unique example of a landmark model – the first post-war Alfa Romeo to have unitary construction – carries audacious coachwork by Carrosserie Ghia, Aigle, the Swiss offshoot of the famous Italian styling house.
The work of Giovanni Michelotti, the car is one of ten Alfa Romeos bodied by Carrosserie Ghia, Aigle and is a relatively rare example of open coachwork on the 1900 chassis. Its first owner, a Swiss businessman, commissioned Ghia Aigle to produce the car along the line of a Riva speedboat, hence its wraparound windscreen and doorless body.
The Alfa was displayed at the Concorso d´Eleganza Autovettura Campione d´Italia in 1956, then ‘banished’ to storage for 30 years by the owner’s wife when it is believed she discovered the car had been bought for his mistress.
In 2001, with a later owner, the Alfa was presented at Villa d’Este in 2001. It was acquired by the vendor in 2013 and has recently had its engine completely rebuilt.
1951 Bentley MK VI Graber, CHF200,000 – CHF300,000
One of the most desirable and rarest of all the coach-built cars was the Bentley Coupé by the Swiss coachmaker Graber.
The post-war Mark IV model was the basis of all future Bentleys and was the first complete car to be finished and completed at the factory, featuring all-steel coachwork. However, many customers preferred a coach built alternative fashioned by selected independent coachbuilders.
One such was the Swiss carrosserie Graber, which executed its designs to the highest standard. During the post-war period Graber coachbuilt more Bentleys than any other overseas specialist.
This elegant right-hand drive, Swiss-registered, two-door coupé is the second of three four-seat drophead coupés produced and one of only two surviving. During the 14 years in the ownership of its vendor, the Bentley has benefitted from a complete restoration over the years of its bodywork, chassis, interior, woodwork and engine, and is a many times concours prize-winner.
The third Swiss-coach built car is a 1959 VW Beutler, estimate CHF80,000 – 120,000.
The Beutler brothers were entrusted with building bespoke versions of the first Porsche 956s in 1948 and then presented their Volkswagen-based sportscar six years later. With the underpinnings of a 1.2-litre VW Beetle, the Beutler had an aluminium body with stylised rear wings and offered greater comfort and luxury, in features such as leather trimmed seats and door cards.
A later example of only 28 Beutler coupés produced, the car offered was bought as a project in the 1990s and was the subject of an 11-year complete restoration, including mechanical overhaul. Scarcely used since, the Beutler is presented in beautiful condition throughout.
Maarten Ten Holder, Managing Director, Bonhams Collectors Cars, said: “We are excited to be returning to the beautiful Gstaad Palace Hotel, and are particularly pleased to be presenting an array of Swiss-built collectors’ cars among our prestigious line up in July.”
The Gstaad Sale is a new biennial auction alternating with Bonhams’ Bonmont Sale which has been staged at the Bonmont Golf & Country Club since 2019.
The live auction, taking place from 14.00 on 3 July, will offer more than 50 examples of magnificent metal representing the finest automotive marques such as Aston Martin, Maserati, Porsche and Rolls-Royce.
The Gstaad Sale will also be available the Bonhams App, which provides registered bidders the opportunity to bid in real time online via Bonhams.com while watching the auctioneer and videos of cars on offer. Absentee and telephone bids are also encouraged.
All motor cars will be on view at the Gstaad Palace Hotel on Friday 1, from 13.00h; Saturday 2 July from 10.00h and Sunday from 10.00h. There will also be an art exhibition organised by the Bonhams Swiss offices.
The catalogue for The Bonhams Gstaad Sale is now online and can be viewed here: Bonhams : The Gstaad Sale – Collector’s Motor Cars.
