Thrilling auction of extremely exclusive lots at the Dolder Grand Hotel by Broad Arrow Auctions

Broad Arrow Auctions is an internationally successful automobile auction house in the blue-chip segment. This autumn it appeared in Switzerland for the first time at Auto Zürich 2025, with which it has entered into a partnership. At the preview held in the renowned Dolder Grand Hotel, cars of the highest calibre were on display. A total of 61 lots were offered. All were exquisite, yet even within this high-quality selection a few models stood out. First and foremost, an extremely rare Jaguar D-Type, which, during the auction, sparked excitement and applause with a suspenseful bidding duel. More on this in this streetwheelz1 report.

Interest in the new player in Switzerland and in the cars on display was high. Already on Auto Zürich 2025’s media day, Broad Arrow thrilled with three key vehicles that drove onto the stage. Alongside a Bugatti and a Ferrari was a Jaguar D-Type from 1956. An extremely rare piece, not only due to the originally small production of just 87 units, but also with regard to its history and high state of preservation. An original in absolutely top condition.

Shortly before the devastating fire at Jaguar’s Coventry works in 1957, this D-Type was still delivered. The matching-numbers engine was once removed and carefully preserved over the decades. After an overhaul, it is now back in the original chassis. A rarity. Photos in the auction catalogue as well as video sequences from a film show the car at full speed. A rare sight. One can imagine how rich the biography of an almost 70-year-old classic car is and how much it takes for such an example to be considered exceptionally complete and untouched. This model would even be eligible to participate in the most important historic racing events such as Goodwood Revival, Le Mans Classic or Mille Miglia Storico.

Further dream cars could be viewed at the preview. Each of them was special in its own way. To pick just a few: there was the 1975 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow Long Wheelbase Saloon, once commissioned by Her Royal Highness Princess Margaret. Then the 1952 Ferrari 212 Europa Pinin Farina Coupé, once driven by the actress Ingrid Bergman. Striking, in its own roped-off area: a 2024 Aston Martin Valkyrie Spider.

On a small podium stood a rare 2010 Reventón Roadster (1 of 15). The hall lights played across its surface like reflections on meticulously folded origami. Extremely rare, too, was a red, very well-preserved Maserati Khamsin. Such a model is seldom seen on the road. (Nevertheless, streetwheelz1 was once actually fortunate enough to film a beautiful example by chance in Zurich.)

In addition, a 1993 Lamborghini Diablo Evolution GTR immediately caught the eye with its violet colour, but of course also with the striking shape of the model itself. And in the auction catalogue of “The Zürich Auction,” as Broad Arrow called the auction of 1 November 2025, one could read further information, as for every lot: year of manufacture, competitions attended, any modifications, ownership history, chassis number and restoration chronology.

The hard facts are of course present. But this is about more than beautiful, high-quality cars. It is about more than the sum of their parts. It feels almost surreal when, in a photo, this legendarily tuned machine appears in a rural setting – almost like a landed UFO. One reads the data on the engine, on the visual adjustments, and it is like leafing through a high-quality car magazine. The aesthetics are so enduring that many a car fan will probably keep the auction catalogue carefully as a souvenir.

What does one actually buy at such a top-class auction? A car of the highest order. A lot that no one else has. A vehicle with which, depending on the certificate, one can participate in competitions; whether at a concorso d’eleganza or at the Goodwood Festival or another high-profile event. But the material is only one side of the coin. It is, above all, an idea one keeps close to oneself. An entire story, a legend of the automobile. Just as when someone auctions or buys another historic or ideal object. A Martian meteorite. A first edition of Newton’s Philosophiæ Naturalis Principia Mathematica (1687). A 150-million-year-old skeleton of a stegosaurus. The desire to possess an object of such significance — including a rare car of great face value — is likely linked to such an idea. Not simply to a monetary classification of supply and demand, but to appreciation for the inherent value of a collector’s item.

The private auction took place in the rooms of the Dolder Grand Hotel. Many of the registered bidders were in the hall, but some were also connected externally by telephone and internet. The lots were presented one after another. Each spectator had presumably set eyes on one very particular object and awaited the moment. Some of the top results of the auction were the 2010 Reventón Roadster (1,356,250 CHF), the 1966 Ferrari 275 GTB Alloy (2,312,500 CHF), as well as the 2024 Aston Martin Valkyrie Spider (2,706,250 CHF).

Of particular interest then, of course, was the star of the auction, the Jaguar Type-D. The auctioneer also acknowledged the significance of this model when he said: “It is one of those cars. It is so special!”, and it was no exaggeration, but simply a statement that could not have been more apt.

After a suspenseful bidding duel, the auctioneer finally called out: “Ladies and Gentlemen, it is a pleasure to sell the car to you!” Then the final hammer blow. “Soooold!” Great applause in the auction hall. The auction of a car could not be more emotional. The D-Type ultimately achieved 5,181,250 CHF at the auction, yet this was almost beside the point.

The next auctions by Broad Arrow Auctions will take place on 6–7 March 2026 in Florida (The Amelia Auction) and on 16 May 2026 in Italy (The Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este Auction). Pure emotions guaranteed. // Written by CR

About Broad Arrow Auctions

Broad Arrow Auctions is an internationally extremely successful auction house operating in the blue-chip market segment, which, with the auction at Zurich’s Dolder Grand Hotel, was active in Switzerland for the first time. Broad Arrow Auctions is an official partner of Auto Zürich. Further information can be found on the official website: https://www.broadarrowauctions.com

About Auto Zürich

https://www.auto-zuerich.ch

Picture Gallery

All pictures by streetwheelz1