In its end of year sale, traditionally held in Gstaad, Switzerland, Bonhams wrapped up the auction season by achieving great success. Highlights of the sale, which took place on Sunday 17th December, were three prestigious Maserati racing cars, each boasting Le Mans history in the 1960s.

Once the pride of the prominent Rosso Bianco collection in Germany, the only remaining Maserati Tipo 151 from 1962 was adjudicated to an American collector for a high bid of CHF1,850,000.00 (just over $1.5M), well above its high estimate. Both the Tipo 63 and the unique Tipo 65 from the same collection were sold as well, and the value of all three cars together exceeded CHF3.3M, a considerable achievement. All but one of the twelve Maserati models offered for sale found new homes, proving the continued interest from the collector’s market in the Trident marque.

For the ninth year running, auction house Bonhams hosted its prestigious auction at the Palace Hotel in Gstaad, a unique event in the auction calendar and one that is evolving. This year, for the first time, Ferrari and Maserati cars were sold exclusively side-by-side - two of the most famous and successful Italian marques in the world of sports cars and engineering development. The Maserati brothers were fierce competitors with Enzo Ferrari during his early days with Alfa Romeo and Scuderia Ferrari in the 1930s.
 

Today however, now that Ferrari and Maserati are owned by the same company, it seemed appropriate to Bonhams that they should proudly stand together. And where better place to sell the world's finest? At a hotel with an unrivalled reputation for discreet, refined hospitality that has always welcomed the most discerning international clientele. The Palace hotel, set on a hill overlooking the beautiful village of Gstaad, is privileged to offer a breathtaking view of the majestic Swiss Alps. The Bonhams Sale, held in this majestic location, was the perfect setting from which to a buy a Ferrari or Maserati.

It is expected that at least one of these three highly significant competition Maserati models will be entered in historic motor racing events in the coming months, at venues such as Le Mans, Laguna Seca or at Goodwood. After decades in silence, it will be a great joy to hear the sound of these mighty Maserati racing engines thunder once again.