Main News Index

Would-be buyers and enthusiastic Ferrari connoisseurs flocked through fresh snow to the magnificent Palace Hotel in Gstaad, Switzerland for the seventh annual Bonhams Europe Christmas Ferrari Sale.

Most talked about price realised in the saleroom was no less than CHF558,087 (US$481,800) paid by a determined Italian bidder for the ex-Dino de Laurentis/Clint Eastwood Ferrari 275GTB - a new benchmark price for this particular model. This sleekly-styled 150mph two-seat Berlinetta was owned by the star of ‘Dirty Harry’, ‘The Good, The Bad and The Ugly’ and so many other movie world classics during the 1960s, and is still finished in the startling green livery in which he had the car repainted.

Other star Lots which sold well in a packed saleroom jammed with eager bidders from all around the globe included:

The 1958 Ferrari 250 California Spider - This perfect ‘matching numbers’ example of the most glamorous of all open-cockpit two-seater road-going Ferraris is a superb example of the car the stars of Hollywood loved to own in period. It sold to a European collector for CHF1,450,500 (US$1,252,220).

The ex-Brussels Salon 1964 Ferrari 500 Superfast - In its day one of the world’s most exclusive high-performance quality cars, sold far above its price estimate for CHF381,729 (US$329,545). This magnificent machine - only the fifth built by Ferrari - was finally secured by an English telephone bidder. This imposing 5-litre V12 with its breathtakingly beautiful Pininfarina body styling was in period owned by the Dupont industrialist family.

The ex-King Hussein of Jordan 1974 Ferrari 365GT/4 Boxer Berlinetta - Perhaps the finest surviving example of its type, this extraordinarily high-quality supercar, glowing in the late King Hussein of Jordan’s favoured bright orange livery, was bought by a European collector for CHF183,327 (US$152,265). This exclusive car - flown new direct from the Ferrari factory to King Hussein’s palace in Amman - still retains his specified 8-track stereo/radio and had covered fewer than 6,300kms from new…fully justifying its new record price for the model, a value level not seen since the late 1980s.

The ex-Ludovico Scarfiotti 1960 Ferrari 250GT Series II coupé - Another new record price - this time for a Ferrari 250GT coupé was realised for this magnificent Cognolato restored example formerly owned by two Ferrari works racing drivers Ludovico Scarfiotti and Gino Munaron - after a fierce bidding battle between English, Irish and Scandinavian connoisseurs. The car was ultimately knocked-down to the latter for no less than CHF218,599 (US$188,715).

1984 Ferrari 288GTO - One of the rarest of all modern Ferrari models, this limited-edition, twin-turbocharged mid-engined Berlinetta sold to Greece for CHF370,706 (US$320,030).

1968 Ferrari 365GTB/4 Daytona Berlinetta - Bonhams Gstaad Sale again demonstrated the enduring interest and enthusiasm for fine examples of this 4.4-litre front-engined 4-cam V12 classic - as this Giallo Fly (bright yellow) example was secured by its new Swiss owner for CHF205,372 (US$177,300). A specially modified high-performance 1972 Competizione variant of the same model - offered fresh from a respected Dutch Collection - sold to a Swiss racing driver for CHF315,595 (US$272,455).

The Collectibles section of the Bonhams Gstaad Christmas Sale traditionally thrives and highlights this year included:

A 1:10-scale scratchbuilt model Ferrari 250GTO/64 by Michele Conti - Sold for CHF30,475 (US$26,310).

Unrestored Ferrari California Spider Hardtop - A very rare and practical accessory for the Italian marque’s most revered two-seat convertible ‘roadster’ - sold to an American ‘Cal Spider’ owner for no less than CHF27,600 (US$23,830).

The popular clocks and watches section of the Bonhams Gstaad Christmas Sale saw craftsman-made Swiss time-pieces sell well, highlighted by:

Modern era PATEK PHILIPPE with moon phases and power reserve - Sold above estimate for CHF25,875 (US$22,340).

Modern era IWC pink gold 7-day wristwatch - Sold for CHF14,950 (US$12,910).

And perhaps the happiest recipients of a Bonhams Gstaad Christmas Sale Lot will be the children for whom a working Ferrari 330 P2 childrens single seat racing car was secured for no less than CHF17,250 (US$14,890) after some extremely energetic bidding between competitive parents!

The Gstaad Sale grossed some CHF 5-million with some 68 per cent of all Lots sold under the hammer.

For more details visit the Bonhams web site.