I love a good auction. Not just the really exclusive ones (like this one) but every kind of car auction. The on-line catalogues are a great source of information about the models whose values are falling or on the rise. They also bring unfamiliar models to my attention which I can read up about later. Of course I will never be visiting Lake Como to buy a £2million euro plus car, but we can all dream.
Broad Arrow Auctions returns to the shores of Lake Como for the prestigious Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este. Held alongside one of the oldest and most esteemed concours d’elegance events, Broad Arrow Auctions will present over 70 of the world’s most desirable collector cars for sale on 16-17 May 2026, with preview days taking place from Friday 15 May.
Early highlights for this auction feature technological and design marvels of motoring history, including a 1929 Bugatti Type 43 Roadster by Eugène Matthys, a stunning 1926 Bugatti Type 37 Grand Prix and modern-era supercar heroes such as a 1990 Ferrari F40 and a rare 2003 Honda NSX-R.
Highlights from the early consignments set for Broad Arrow’s 2026 Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este auction include:
1929 Bugatti Type 43 Roadster by Eugène Matthys (Estimate: €2.500.000 – €3.500.000)
The Bugatti Type 43 was the fastest road car of its time when it debuted in 1927, its 2.3-litre engine from the Type 35B Grand Prix race car using supercharging to produce 120hp and reach a top speed of 160km/h. Intended for touring, the Type 43 still found its way into racing, including the Mille Miglia and RAC Tourist Trophy, but chassis number 43248 was truly unique among the 160 examples that Molsheim produced. Delivered new to a Belgian Bugatti dealer, it was entrusted to the renowned coachbuilder, Eugène Matthys, who bodied it into a splendid two-seater roadster with early 1930s lines reminiscent of the later famous Type 57. Early in its life, the car received a Chevrolet engine, earning it the nickname ‘Chevrolet Type 43’ but during its current 45-year family ownership, it has been reunited with a Type 43 engine as part of a meticulous restoration. This very special piece of Bugatti history presents a unique opportunity to acquire a car with unmatched performance, superb provenance and created in the same year as the Concorso itself.
2003 Honda NSX-R (Estimate: €850.000 – €950.000)
Honda produced only 140 examples of the second generation NSX-R between 2002 and 2005. Revered worldwide as the lightest and most track-focused production iteration of the iconic NSX supercar, the NSX-R featured a 290 horsepower, 3.2-litre V6 and a marvellously engineered six-speed manual transmission. Chassis number NA2-1400098 is finished in classic Championship White over red Alcantara and benefits from an extensive refresh in 2023 through the NSX Refresh Plan by Honda Japan at a cost of over €76.000. Regarded by many collectors as the most desirable Type R derivative that Honda has ever made, the NSX-R is one of the most collectable modern JDM performance cars. After an intense battle between bidders for an NSX-R at the Broad Arrow Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este Auction in 2025 that saw it sell for €934.375, a similar level of international interest is expected once again.
1990 Ferrari F40 (Estimate: €2.300.000 – €2.500.000)
The Ferrari F40 is one of the most iconic supercars ever made, created to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the famous Maranello marque and the last model to be personally approved by ‘Il Commendatore’ himself, Enzo Ferrari. Styled by Pininfarina, this example is one of the most collectable due to its desirable ‘non-cat, non-adjust’ specification. Delivered new to S&T GmbH in Munich, Germany, it is resplendent in its original Rosso Corsa factory finish and has driven 40,271km. Ferrari Classiche certification adds to its superb provenance ensuring it is sure to attract a great deal of interest among international collectors.
Other highlights of Broad Arrow’s Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este Auction include one of only 209 Honda NSX Type S models produced, a rare Blue Chiaro Metallizzato Ferrari Dino 246 GT and a 1926 Bugatti Type 37 Grand Prix with an estimate of €1.000.000 to €1.300.000 that was formerly owned by Jack Lemon Burton, president of the British Bugatti Owner’s Club.
Additional information on the auction is available at broadarrowauctions.com.