Broad Arrow Auctions, part of the Hagerty company, is bringing some of the most desirable - and expensive - classic cars to auction at its inaugural Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este Auction later this month.
Being held on the 24th and 25th of May 2025, the auction will feature more than 70 of the world’s most collectible cars for sale on the shores of Lake Como, including the first ever public sale of the very first customer competition car created by Enzo Ferrari, the 166 Spyder Corsa by Ansaloni, and the only example in the world of the 1938 Talbot-Lago T150 C Spéciale Teardrop Coupé by Figoni and Falaschi.
"We are thrilled to be presenting some of the most historically significant classic cars at our inaugural Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este auction," said Joe Twyman, VP of Sales for Broad Arrow’s EMEA Region.
"Being entrusted with the first ever public sale of the Ferrari 166 Spyder Corsa is an incredible privilege, and testament to the expertise within our team and the prestige of the highly respected Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este. Its presence at the auction along with many other coveted automobiles will make this one of the most important sales of the year."
The Ferrari 166 has a sales estimate between €5.5 million and €7.5 million (NZ$10.4 million and NZ$14.2 million), befitting its significance as one of the first cars Enzo Ferrari ever produced and his first customer competition Ferrari.
Built in 1948, 004 C was created to fulfil Ferrari’s ambitions on the track while also being a capable car on the road. Its V12 engine, created in collaboration with Gioacchino Colombo, is regarded as the "first true Ferrari engine" and the car first went to South America where it proved highly competitive, before being returned to continue its racing success in Europe in such events as the Mille Miglia and Targa Florio.
Broad Arrow says the Ferrari has been "meticulously maintained throughout its life and has appeared at many of the world’s greatest concours events" and retains its original chassis, Ansaloni body and Tipo 166 V12 engine, all of which are extensively documented in the accompanying Ferrari Classiche Certification.
But while the Ferrari is the undoubted star of the show, the auction features more than a few other extremely rare and valuable cars, including a 1938 Talbot-Lago T150 C Lago Spéciale Teardrop Coupé with an estimate of €4.5m million to €6.5 (NZ$8.5 million to NZ$12.3 million).
One of the rarest variants of a very rare car, this particular example - chassis no. 90034 - was ordered new as a replacement for a Bugatti Type 50 and is the only Figoni et Falaschi Teardrop Coupé built on the T150 C Lago Spéciale chassis, making it a truly unique vehicle.
Commissioned by German banker and gentleman racer Antoine Schumann, he requested a number of bespoke options, including the rare Bleu ‘Tango’ Irisée Noire finish - a metallic dark blue with a black tinge - Havana Tobacco Leather with matching wood, and free-standing headlights that provided better visibility. It has a full sliding sunroof, removable fenders, and Schumann also requested a chromed sweep spear on the side, a signature element of many Figoni designs.
Other highlights of the auction include a 1949 Talbot-Lago T26 Grand Sport Coupe (NZ$2.3 million - NZ$2.8 million), a 1965 Ferrari 275 GTS (NZ$2.8 million - NZ$3.4 million), a 1954 Siata 208S Motto Spider (NZ$2.8 million - NZ$3.2 million), a 1936 Maserati 6CM Factory Works (NZ$1.6 million - NZ$1.8 million) and a truly gorgeous 1939 Lagonda V12 Rapide James Young Drophead Coupé that is expected to sell for between NZ$1.1 million and NZ$1.3 million, making it a relative bargain in this company.
Of course there are other more recent classics on offer, including a 2000 BMW Z8, a very rare 1991 Alpina version of the quirky BMW Z1 roadster, a 1989 Ferrari F40 Competizione, a 2022 Lamborghini Countach, a pair of 2012 McLaren MP12 Cs owned by Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button and a 2018 Mercedes-Maybach G 650 Landaulet that really needs to be seen to be believed.
