Vintage and collector cars have achieved extraordinary prices in the last forty years at international auctions, with a predilection for the Bugatti and Rolls Royce brands. When in 1987 Sotheby’s awarded a Bugatti Royale in London for more than one billion pesetas [6 million euros] that had been manufactured for the exclusive use of the family of the owners of the automobile firm, all the experts thought it was a price fabulous that would take time to surpass.
But just thirty years later, the record has been multiplied by seven when it stood, in another Sotheby’s sale in 2018, at 42.2 million that were paid for a 1962 Ferrari 250 VGTO, placing another model from the factory in second place. from Milanello, a Berlinetta, also manufactured in 1962, which sold for 33.7 million euros.
On March 28, the Ansorena auction house puts up for sale in Madrid eight classic cars, a motorcycle and two miniature replicas of the Bugatti Riviera Coupé and Mc Laren Ford Formula 1. Of this particular team, a Jaguar Re Type 1 series stands out. will start from 102,000 euros. It is in a good state of preservation and remains faithful to its original version. With the same starting price, he will look for a buyer for a Mercedes Benz 190 SL, which left the factory in 1958.
However, and although it has a lower initial valuation, 57,000 euros, the possible star of the session is a 1963 Rolls Royce Silver Cloud, and like all of this brand it will be a treat for a connoisseur who loves motoring. Mónica Marín, an expert from the Madrid room, assures that “the great collector looks for unique, exclusive models to include in his collection, which is why brands such as Rolls Royce, Mercedes Benz or Jaguar are always included in the pools of the most coveted in the world of classic car auctions. For their part, the fan who is just starting out is interested in more fun, convertible or sporty cars, such as MG, Triumph or BMW”
The specialist tells us about the milestones in this specialty that began in 2017: “In the six years that we have been auctioning classic cars we have had notable auctions, with relevant sales such as a 1956 Jaguar XK 140 FHC SE C Type Head, which we awarded at 121,000 euros, a Rolls Royce Silver Wraith L, manufactured in 1955, was acquired for 102,850 euros, another Jaguar E Type Series 1.5 Coupé from 1967 that was close to 100,000 euros, while a 1939 Austin Healey MK was delivered for 67,000 euros.”
When asked if he detects a specific profile of the buyer of this type of high-end car, he explains that his company “has great collectors, both nationally and internationally”, specifying that “of course there are different types of buyers among that we can find those who are looking for the car they need to complete their collection, the nostalgic person who wants the car that their grandfather or father had or the possible investor”.
Mónica Marín estimates that “the sale of classic cars is increasingly active, as we have observed, the interest in this type of parts is increasing. Buyers understand that these vehicles are a safe haven, both financial and sentimental. Classic car auctions are very common in different European countries and that is why we have opted for these tenders that add value to the long history of our firm in general auctions”.
