Weird and wonderful cars from Techno Classica's £12m auction

Viewings for the COYS auction at the Techno Classica Show in Essen, Germany began earlier today, with 130 cars set to change hands for many millions of pounds when they go under the hammer on Saturday.

Chris Routledge, Managing Partner of COYS, said: “Techno Classica Essen has become one of the most well established classic car sales in the world and further strengthens COYS position as the leading international auction brand in Germany.

“We always look forward to coming back to this event and this year we are offering a fabulous and vast selection of vehicles.”

‘Fabulous and vast’ is certainly true, with everything from Italian supercars to novelty motors appearing on the list of vehicles that bidders will be poring over in the next few days.

Here – from oldest to youngest – are our favourites from the auction guide...

Image credit: COYS

At over 100 years of age, this 1914 Metz 22 is in surprisingly good condition for something that has lived through two world wars. The ‘22’ was the most popular model Metz made at the time, with a 22bhp motor offered with a choice of one style: the ‘Runabout’ spec. A team of three Metz 22s won the punishing Glidden Tour in 1913, as the only entries to finish with a perfect score.

Estimate: £20,000 - £28,000

Only a small selection of Lambdas were used in competition, although two of them came fourth and fifth overall in the first running of the Mille Miglia in 1927. Two years later this car was sold in the UK, later becoming the property of a farmer in 1953. Since then, vast segments of the car have been completely reworked, and most recently £6,000 was spent on the engine.

Estimate: £145,000 – £161,000

The 1930s called, they want their motor back. Also known as a 1500 (it has a 1.5-litre engine), production was paused during WWII, and when it ended for good in 1948 some 42,500 had been made. Special models competed in the Mille Miglia and the Targa Florio, although this model wears re-bodied Barchetta coachwork today. Sublime.

Estimate: £64,500 - £68,500

Originally the 203 was powered by a 1,290cc engine which produced 42bhp. Though a rarity in the UK because of high sale prices, it was at least a common sight for tourists heading south of the English Channel, where the 203 served the French police. Restored in 2014, this model was used to transport Hotel Sporting guests in Rimini, Italy.

Estimate: £18,500 - £22,500

Constructed by Georg Werkmeister and with help from aerodynamic specialist Georg Hufnagel, this two-seater competed in many classes, including some Formula 2 events in 1953. Apparently in 2004, the owner embarked on a ground-up restoration “without regard to cost and complexity”. This is the result.

Estimate: Not listed

The most appealing thing about this model is the luxurious trim, or what would be more accurately described as trim that was considered luxurious back in 1953. Passengers in the single-block seat in the front could operate power windows as standard, with leather upholstery and chrome ‘bows’ in the roof to simulate a convertible top. Alas, it is very much a coupe.

Estimate: No reserve

OSCA was founded in 1947 by Ernesto Maserati and his two brothers, with a view to specialising in racing and sports cars. This Evocation – built in 1957 – has a “lively” 1.5-litre engine and tan interior; perfect for those summer days.

Estimate: £80,500 - £84,500

A unique item at the Techno Classica auction in that it is the only car to look like an American diner. Only joking. Producing a sizeable 270bhp, this car was shipped to the Netherlands in 1997 where it has been revitalised for the present day.

Estimate: £64,500 - £72,500

Launched at the tail end of the 1950s, Alfa’s 2000 Spider produced 115bhp at 5,700rpm and had a top speed of 109mph. This car completed just 27,000 miles on the road (under one owner no less) before it was parked up in a dry garage in Texas in 1971.

Estimate: £36,000 - £44,000

Over 10,000 coupes were built in various MG guises, although only 600 of this particular model rolled out of the factory. 0-60mph takes a charming 12 seconds, pleasantly coupled with a lovely, red leather interior.

Estimate: £16,000 - £20,000

This 1961 Maserati Ghibli SS and its 4.9-litre V8 have done 44,000 miles together since new. It has gorgeous green bodywork, a manual gearbox and a stylish tan interior: what more needs to be said?

Estimate: £274,000 - £294,000

Exported to the States in 1965 this Alfa has since travelled to Japan and Germany, after which the current owner brought it to Switzerland for a full, specialist restoration. Said to be fast and tidy through corners, this model has participated in classic motoring events in the past. We can’t think of a better backdrop for it.

Estimate: £72,500 - £88,500

Originally purchased by an American soldier in Germany, it accompanied him to the States on his return to America in 1970. Two owners followed, with the latest of them bringing it back to 100 per cent complete, entirely with original parts. Words alone can barely do justice to its looks.

Estimate: £52,500 - £76,600

Oh my. It’s a Cadillac, but it’s also an ambulance. Described as “a fun car to take out on the weekend with friends”, we can only assume it was put together in the belief that laughter really is the best medicine.

Estimate: No reserve

This is one of the most expensive cars listed at the Techno Classica auction, and it’s easy to see why. Yes, it’s a Ferrari from the 60s, so a big asking price is almost guaranteed, but its condition today and the fact that it was first owned by racing driver and collector Heinz-Dieter Blatzheim surely adds to the value.

Estimate: £484,000 - £564,000

Shipped to America when it was new, this E-Type returned to Europe shortly after the turn of the new millennium, when it was restored to its former glory days. More recently the brake system has been changed and the steering has been overhauled too. One to look out for given the price.

Estimate: £32,000 - £40,000

Ford introduced the Mustang in 1964 as the accessible sports car for young buyers, but quickly clocked on to the fact that a performance version was required. This is it. Delivered in 1969, only five 428 Super Cobra Jet Mach 1 models were built, making it one of the most sought after Mustangs in the world.

Estimate: £68,000 - £76,600

We love the Fiat 500, and we especially like this 1972 edition. Small, simple and of its time, and in good enough condition to become someone’s summer project for a small sum.

Estimate: £6,450 - £9,675

First sold in Portugal, this 2.4S is finished in its original colours scheme, and benefits from the addition of parts that were on the original car. Among those extras are drivers lights, and a sunroof for listening to its splendid flat-six in the open air.

Estimate: £88,500 - £113,000

This model was originally delivered to the US, although it has recently been brought back to Europe where the probably-not-suitable-for-work orange paint was added to the exterior. Inside the interior remains in good condition, and the new owner is promised a 1970s supercar that is “also highly usable”.

Estimate: £76,600 - £84,800

The Montreal was designed to be a competitive grand tourer, and the V8 engine came directly from a T33 Alfa Romeo Racing car. More interesting though is the styling: the grills in front of the headlamps retract when lights are switched on, and the ‘duct’ on the bonnet is there to hide a bulge from the engine as opposed to having an actual mechanical purpose.

Estimate: £28,000 - £36,000

Unveiled at the Paris Motor Show in 1978, the M1 came with a top speed of 160mph, a feat it was capable of thanks to its 277bhp engine. Only 399 road-going versions were made, along with 54 Procars designed for the track. No wonder it might cost its next owner half a million quid...

Estimate: £443,500 - £524,000

Named after a fast breed of camels (we’re not making that up), the Méhari was launched at the Paris Auto Show in 1968, going on to spend 20 years in Citroën’s range with sales totalling 144,953. The car above has undergone “exhaustive” restoration work, including a brand new chassis.

Estimate: £12,000 - £16,000

When the Dino 308 GT4 was introduced in 1973 it departed from Ferrari’s traditional values by incorporating a mid-engined V8, the first of its kind in a production car from Modena. And yet, it set the tone for decades to come as Ferrari used the layout again and again. This 308 GT4, supplied in February 1981, was made after official production had ended. Clearly a late bloomer.

Estimate: £48,000 - £56,500

While this particular car didn’t actually race, it was used by the Grifone Esso team during the 1986 World Rally Championships as a recce car between stages. It was completely restored by an Italian collector last year, along with the Martini racing livery of the period. Top work.

Estimate: £282,000 - £322,500

Designed as a replacement for the 308, the 328 was given smoother bodywork and the V8 engine was boosted from 3.0 to 3.2 litres. It left Maranello in 1986, and underwent a full service just last year. A bargain.

Estimate: £48,400 - £56,500

Succeeding the original Testarossa, this improved 512 TR update came with a whopping 422bhp and a lot of grip to go with it. The top speed gave it added allure as well: reportedly in the region of 195mph. This model – expected to go for at least £92,700 – has done 43,500 from new.

Estimate: £92,700 - £129,000

Possibly the fastest naturally aspirated 911 produced by the time it was made, the 993’s chassis evolved from the 964 RS and came with improved performance as a result. Initially delivered to Japan, the car above returned to Europe last year having covered just 25,500 miles. A frugal total, given its desirability.

Estimate: £193,500 - £225,500

The F355 came out of the factory with a spec sheet to match its striking bodywork: a 3.5-litre V8 produced a claimed 370bhp at 8,250rpm, and coupled it with 268lb ft of torque between 5,000 and 6,500rpm. Approaching 20 years of age it has done 51,500 miles, hence the lower-than-you-might-expect-but-still-significant price tag.

Estimate: £52,500 - £60,500