16 stunners in Bonhams’ Monaco sale

A dazzling display

Think Bonhams, then think Monte-Carlo, and you just know that means an array of sparkling, mouth-watering classic cars.

And you’d be right! This Friday, 23 April 2021, Bonhams is hosting its 29th annual Monaco auction at the Fairmont, Monte-Carlo, and we couldn’t resist a peek at the catalogue.

These 16 are well out of our league, but we’ve enjoyed drooling over them nevertheless – we hope you do, too.

1. 1936 Delahaye 135 S Compétition Court (est: €800,000 - €1.1m)

Let’s swallow a brave pill and face that money issue head-on with the car expected to achieve the most at Bonhams’ Les Grandes Marques à Monaco sale – it might even crack €1m.

This Delahaye was built according to the regulations for the 1936 edition of the Le Mans 24-hour race, which didn’t happen because of strikes in France.

It was, however, campaigned on that year’s RAC Tourist Trophy on the Ards circuit near Belfast, while at the 1936 Donington Grand Prix it competed as part of Écurie Bleu, and it contested further Grands Prix in 1937, too.

1936 Delahaye 135 S Compétition Court (cont.)

One of three owned by husband and wife Laury and Lucy Schell, they sold it in early 1939 to Eugène Chaboud and, rebodied, it was raced that year including another shot at Le Mans, however it retired from this and a number of other events.

Further owners rebodied it, but today it is being offered for sale wearing a recreation of the coachwork it had for Le Mans in ’39, and it has been restored.

Its substantial history file includes press cuttings and period photos, and being eligible for many classic events is an added bonus for any prospective bidder.

2. 1964 Alfa Romeo Giulia 1600 Spider Veloce (est: €90-120,000)

This pretty Alfa Romeo certainly looks right at home beside the sea and while its pre-sale estimate is by no means cheap, it is rather more attainable than that of the previous lot.

It was sold new to Italy and was registered in the UK in 2017, following its sale at Bonhams’ Goodwood Revival meeting that September, since when its owner has invested €48,471 in the car.

1964 Alfa Romeo Giulia 1600 Spider Veloce (cont.)

Areas fettled during that work include the gearbox, the clutch, the carburettors and the suspension – it is all detailed in the accompanying paperwork.

With its elegant, Pininfarina-penned body and being recently refreshed, we can’t help but dream of securing the winning bid, then enjoying a long, leisurely drive home from Monte-Carlo in this Alfa.

3. 1973 Maserati Merak (est: €45-65,000)

Granted, it is somewhat tenuous, but this Merak has a few things in common with that Alfa we just looked at: it’s red, it’s Italian, it has been with its last owner since 2017, and it’s one of the more affordable cars in Bonhams’ Monaco sale this week (these things are relative, you understand).

That fetching red is its original colour, and this car has recently been treated to some cosmetic work prior to sale.

1973 Maserati Merak (cont.)

You can thank the Citroën SM for this Maserati’s stylish dashboard, although the vendor says the air-con doesn’t work at present.

Still, the cabin’s black leather and grey Alcantara trim is said to be in good condition, while it retains its original (Citroën) V6 engine and five-speed manual ’box.

And one thing’s for sure: its shape, by Giorgetto Giugiaro at Italdesign, is ageing very gracefully.

4. 1949 Georges Irat Sports Two-Seater (est: €70-100,000)

The Alfa and Maserati are likely familiar-looking classic cars, but this?

Well, you’re forgiven, because this is a prototype, a unique show car built for the 1949 Salon de Paris held at the Grand Palais.

At one stage in the 1920s, Irat’s self-titled company, Automobiles Georges Irat SA, produced around 200 units a year – this was the firm’s final car.

1949 Georges Irat Sports Two-Seater (cont.)

The voluptuous, frameless roadster body, made by Parisian coachbuilder Labourdette, sits on a 1939 Simca chassis, power coming from an 1100cc Simca engine.

As you might have guessed, the model never entered production and Georges Irat’s days as a car manufacturer were numbered. But today this one-off is an intriguing curiosity and surely a strong concours d’elegance contender.

5. 1968 Aston Martin DB6 Volante (est: €450-550,000)

From one potential trophy-winner to a classic that already has some sillverware to its name.

Delivered new to the UK in 1968, this DB6’s greatest concours achievements were the Club Trophy at the 1982 Hendon Concours and the Volz Trophy at the Silverstone Horsfall Concours in 1989.

1968 Aston Martin DB6 Volante (cont.)

More recently, this February, to be precise, its matching-numbers engine has been rebuilt by Aston Martin Works.

Finished in Rolls-Royce Coffee Bean Brown with Bridge of Weir (magnolia) leather upholstery, it was factory-fitted with a five-speed manual gearbox and power-assisted steering, and it’s been in the UK all its 53 years.

6. 1973 Porsche 911 Carrera 2.7 RS Touring (est: €450-550,000)

We’ve another familiar shape here in a Porsche 911 delivered new to Italy in what the auction house describes as a ‘rare original colour scheme’.

It also came from the factory with a number of options, including headrests, sport seats, a limited-slip differential, white Carrera script and yellow foglights.

1973 Porsche 911 Carrera 2.7 RS Touring (cont.)

Inside it is all original, other than the front-seat material and the addition of a Becker Grand Prix radio.

Back in 2006 this Porsche was the subject of a big restoration – today it looks an enticing prospect for all our longed-for road trips.

7. 1934 Bugatti Type 57 Ventoux Coupé (est: €350-450,000)

We rather doubt that the snowy conditions pictured are where this Bugatti excels, but we do know that it was the first of its kind to be built and the only one that has a factory-installed sunroof.

Its Ventoux body was built in-house, it was fitted with adjustable shock absorbers and its first owner was Jerome Wagner, a brewer in Mutzig, who was a close friend of Jean Bugatti.

The car also features a split front axle, this a prototype design and something only used for the first few Type 57s.

1934 Bugatti Type 57 Ventoux Coupé (cont.)

Wagner kept his Bugatti for five years – indeed this car’s entire ownership history from 1934 to 2021 is known and detailed in the accompanying paperwork. The car was also used during the wedding of Ettore Bugatti’s granddaughter, Caroline Bugatti.

It was restored in the ’60s and again in the ’80s, and today appears to be in good order.

8. 1961 Ferrari 250GTE 2+2 Series 1 Coupé (est: €320-400,000)

Is it a high-end classic-car auction if there’s not a stunning Ferrari? And this 1961 Ferrari 250GTE 2+2 definitely ticks that box for Bonhams’ Monaco sale this week.

Delivered new to America, it is the 249th of 954 built and is a matching-numbers example.

1961 Ferrari 250GTE 2+2 Series 1 Coupé (cont.)

Its Pininfarina body was originally grey, matched with beige Connolly leather. It is thought that the change to its present colour scheme occurred during the custodianship of WA Swain between 1987 and 2002.

Of interest to any prospective bidder is that this Ferrari has recently had its engine rebuilt by marque specialists in France.

9. 1958 Porsche 356A T2 Carrera 1500 GS Cabriolet (est: €650-850,000)

Our second Porsche is this one-of-five 356A, that’s worn this ivory shade since new, when it was delivered to its first owner who lived in California, via importer Max Hoffman.

It has also been in the care of the same family since 1996.

1958 Porsche 356A T2 Carrera 1500 GS Cabriolet (cont.)

It is understood that this Porsche remained in California until found in need of restoration in 1996, at which point it was shipped to Belgium and its restoration began.

The engine was last rebuilt in 2001, but the vendor says the car ‘still starts and runs well’.

10. 1991 Isdera Imperator (est: €500-700,000)

One of only 30 built, this is another rare lot at Bonhams’ Les Grandes Marques à Monaco sale this Friday.

And this second-series gullwing-doored Isdera Imperator 108i is the only one of either series to be exported new to Japan.

1991 Isdera Imperator (cont.)

Now that is an evocative image. The Imperator’s roots are in the 1978 Mercedes-Benz CW311 concept car and power comes from the marque’s 5.0-litre M117 V8 – this car is said to be able to do 0-62mph in 5.1 secs.

Each of these Isderas was built to order and with its silver paint and black interior, it seems this example’s first owner was keen to keep the spirit of Mercedes-Benz alive.

11. 1971 Mercedes-Benz 280SE 3.5 Cabriolet (est: €280-350,000)

We have a rather more conventional classic Mercedes here, but still with a V8 engine and finished in silver.

This is a matching-numbers example sold new to the US that came to Europe in the last two years.

1971 Mercedes-Benz 280SE 3.5 Cabriolet (cont.)

Since its arrival in Europe, this 280SE 3.5 Cabriolet has been the subject of a restoration ‘at considerable expense’, which included new paintwork, parts and a retrim.

It sounds like the hard work has been done, then, so all that’s left is to enjoy it.

12. 1973 Dino 246GTS (est: €300-350,000)

What do you think of the unusual colour of this Dino? Believe it or not, it is original.

This nocciola metalizzato (hazelnut metallic) hue, matched with a black-leather interior, was selected by this classic’s first owner – and Ferrari Classiche certification proves it still has its original engine, too.

1973 Dino 246GTS (cont.)

Shipped to the US when new, it later made a return trip across the Atlantic Ocean, first to France and then to Italy, at which point it was painted yellow.

However the vendor commissioned a professional restoration in Italy, during which it was finished in its original colour. After all that work, it has been little used, but is said to be in ‘excellent condition’.

13. 1991 Lancia Delta HF Integrale Group A rally car (est: €380-480,000)

An ex-works Integrale is one seriously exciting prospect! Although you’ll have to dig deep if you’re to be this car’s winning bidder come Friday.

Its first owner was Fiat and it was campaigned by the Jolly Club squad bearing the livery of Belgian oil firm FINA, by Didier Auriol and navigator Bernard Occelli, no less – the crew would go on to secure the WRC title for Toyota in 1994.

1991 Lancia Delta HF Integrale Group A rally car (cont.)

This car’s debut was the ’91 Acropolis Rally where it finished fourth, followed by the 1992 Eifel Rally from which it retired, and then in 1994 it was entered in the International Rallye Castrol Gemer Dobšinà in Slovakia and the San Marino Rally.

More recently, aesthetically the car has been restored to its FINA livery, while Auriol and Occelli’s seats remain inside; the engine was overhauled in 2019.

14. 2005 Porsche Carrera GT (est: €790-850,000)

Our third Porsche is also the youngest car in this list – not to mention one predicted to achieve among the highest prices when it goes under the hammer on Friday.

Number 0926 of 1270 built, it is finished in eye-catching Fayence Yellow and in its 16 years it has covered c14,800km – that’s fewer than 10,000 miles.

2005 Porsche Carrera GT (cont.)

Power comes from this impressive-looking, 5.7-litre V10 engine that has a huge 612bhp – so it is good to know that it also has motorsport-developed, six-piston aluminium brake calipers and 15” ceramic composite disc brakes.

It was delivered new to Germany in July 2005 and that’s where its current keeper bought it in 2015. New tyres were fitted upon purchase, but it has barely been driven since.

15. 1965 Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint GTA (est: €280-350,000)

While Bonhams’ guide price for this charming Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint GTA is €280-350,000 (that’s £240-300,000), it is being sold this Friday without reserve.

Originally white, as it is today, this Alfa was sold new to Switzerland in stradale spec – in fact, it was converted pretty late in its life.

German collector and marque enthusiast Jürgen End bought the car in 1992 and around a decade later prepared the GTA to corsa spec. The good news is that all the stradale items that were removed have been retained and will be sold with the car.

1965 Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint GTA (cont.)

End then campaigned this car in numerous events including the 2013 and 2015 runnings of the Tour Auto, keeping it in fine fettle throughout. It also had a bare-metal restoration in 2012.

It was sold to its current keeper in 2016 and, we understand, has been meticulously maintained ever since.

16. 1967 Citroën DS21 Décapotable (est: €160-200,000)

We finish with what might not be the priciest lot in Bonhams’ Monte-Carlo sale, but a car that is one of the biggest head-turners.

Built to Canadian export specification, it therefore has cold-weather heating and a more powerful alternator, and because it is a ’68 car it has the later directional headlamps but also the early dashboard – and, in this case, Citroën’s semi-automatic hydraulic gearbox.

1967 Citroën DS21 Décapotable (cont.)

This DS21 returned to Europe in 2009, then had its body restored, this followed by a mechanical overhaul after entering new ownership in 2014.

It has since been used seldom and only in the summer, and will be sold with paperwork confirming its authenticity from Citroën Heritage and Noëlle-Eléonore Chapron, Henri Chapron’s daughter.

This and all the other cars listed here will cross the block with Bonhams on Friday 23 April at its Les Grandes Marques à Monaco sale – get full details here.