Villa Erba, Lake Como – 27 May 2025 — Broad Arrow Auctions has marked a resounding milestone with its inaugural European sale at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, firmly establishing itself as a global force in the collector car market. In partnership with BMW AG and hosted on the elegant grounds of Villa Erba, this landmark auction achieved €31,172,625 in total sales across two vibrant sessions, with 78% of lots sold – a figure that includes three post-block transactions concluded shortly after the event.
Held on 24 and 25 May as part of the legendary Concorso festivities, the auction drew international attention both in-person and online, with over 8,000 enthusiasts tuning in via Broad Arrow’s YouTube livestream. “The opportunity to present such a spectacular collection of the world’s most desirable cars on the shores of Lake Como at the world-famous Concorso was a great way to launch our first European sale,” commented Joe Twyman, VP of Sales for Broad Arrow’s EMEA region.
A Historic Ferrari Leads the Charge
The crown jewel of the sale—and undoubtedly the weekend—was the 1948 Ferrari 166 Spyder Corsa, which set a new auction record for its model at an astonishing €7,543,750. Thought to be the most original early Ferrari in existence, this car was one of just two 166 Spyder Corsas commissioned by an early patron of the marque and boasts competition pedigree from icons like the Mille Miglia and Targa Florio. The bidding war between telephone bidders was as spirited as the car’s racing history, ending in a thunderous round of applause.
Global Appetite for Modern Icons
The auction also demonstrated surging global interest in modern classics. A 2003 Honda NSX-R, one of Japan’s most iconic performance cars, shattered expectations by selling for €934,375—a world auction record for the model. With only 15,800km on the clock and resplendent in Championship White, the car attracted interest from bidders spanning five continents.
A 1989 Ferrari F40 Competizione fetched €2,312,500, while a 2023 Ford GT secured €613,750. The last-of-its-kind 1954 Siata 208S Spider, distinguished by its elegant Motto body and storied provenance, also drew enthusiastic bidding and reached €1,750,000.
Dedicated BMW Sale Bolsters Results
Saturday evening’s BMW-only sale, curated to celebrate the marque’s role as host of the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, saw standout results from several rare models. Chief among them was a dazzling 1980 BMW M1 upgraded to Procar specification by BMW Motorsport, which drew spirited bidding before selling for €602,500. The auction reinforced BMW’s standing among collectors while underscoring Broad Arrow’s ability to execute themed sales with international appeal.
Beyond Cars: Historic Motorcycles and Unique Provenance
Adding further diversity to the catalogue was a 1990 Ducati 851 F90 Corsa once owned—but never ridden—by the legendary John Surtees. It achieved €81,250, a reflection of both its condition and its extraordinary provenance.
Looking Ahead: Broad Arrow’s Next Chapter
The Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este sale marks a successful expansion into Europe for Broad Arrow, and one that is already setting the stage for more. “We are extremely proud to have achieved such strong results and a number of auction record prices at our first European auction,” Twyman added. “I now look forward to expanding Broad Arrow’s European sale calendar throughout 2025.”
Kenneth Ahn, President of Broad Arrow, echoed the sentiment: “By all accounts, this was an incredible success. We’re deeply grateful to our wonderful partner, BMW AG, and to the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este. We look forward to welcoming even more car enthusiasts and industry friends as we continue to grow our presence in Europe.”
Top 10 Sales at Villa d’Este 2025
- 1948 Ferrari 166 Spyder Corsa by Ansaloni – €7,543,750
- 1938 Talbot Lago T150 C Lago Speciale Teardrop Coupe by Figoni et Falaschi – €3,606,250
- 1989 Ferrari F40 Competizione – €2,312,500
- 1954 Siata 208S Motto Spider – €1,750,000
- 1965 Ferrari 275 GTS – €1,525,000
- 2006 Porsche Carrera GT – Sold ahead of auction
- 1957 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster – €1,007,500
- 2003 Honda NSX-R – €934,375
- 2023 Ford GT – €613,750
- 1980 BMW M1 (Procar Specification) – €602,500
Next Stop: Monterey Jet Center, August 2025
Broad Arrow’s next event will take place at the Monterey Jet Center in California on 13–14 August 2025, held in conjunction with Motorlux—a must-attend for collectors and enthusiasts alike.
For a full list of auction results and high-resolution imagery, visit Broad Arrow Auctions.
