6 Rare and Quirky Collector Cars Headlining Broad Arrow’s Villa d’Este Auction

In mid-May, Broad Arrow will present over 70 collector cars at its Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este Auction, held on the shores of Lake Como—one of the most scenic locations in the world for an automobile sale. The auction will feature Italian classics from Ferrari, Lamborghini, Lancia, Bizzarrini, and Pagani, alongside Japanese icons like the Nissan Skyline R34 and a selection of Porsches.

While the lineup includes headline-grabbing supercars, the sale also boasts a handful of unusual and rare vehicles that stand out for their uniqueness. Below are six standout oddballs from the auction:

1977 Fiat Bertone 850 T Visitors Bus

This peculiar van resembles a cross between a Scooby-Doo Mystery Machine and a corporate shuttle, but its history is far more refined. Commissioned by Fiat chairman Gianni Agnelli, the vehicle was designed to transport VIPs around newly opened facilities. The project began with custom Fiat 600 Multiplas models before evolving into six-passenger versions of the Fiat 850 T Familiare.

Fiat later enlisted designer Marcello Gandini of Bertone to refine the concept, resulting in a distinctive six-seater with six individual doors and a Plexiglas panoramic roof. Despite its utilitarian purpose, the design is undeniably eye-catching. Dual air-conditioning units were installed to combat the greenhouse effect of the glass roof, while the rear-mounted 843-cc four-cylinder engine and Idroconvert semi-automatic transmission prioritized comfort over speed.

Broad Arrow estimates that fewer than six of these visitor buses were built, with only two believed to survive. The car is estimated to sell for €80,000–€120,000 (approximately $94,000–$141,000).

1989 Mercedes-Benz Boschert B300 Biturbo Gullwing

German tuner Hartmut Boschert unveiled this reinterpretation of the iconic 300SL Gullwing Coupe at the 1989 Frankfurt Motor Show. The car is built on a C124-chassis 300CE coupe, featuring a front end borrowed from the then-new R129 Mercedes SL, a shortened roof, and electro-hydraulically operated gullwing doors.

Boschert also upgraded the 3.0-liter engine to 283 horsepower using two sequential turbochargers—one optimized for low-end torque and the other for high-rpm performance. The interior is finished in a two-tone design, complementing the Bornite Metallic and Violet Grey exterior paint. Paired with a five-speed manual transmission, this one-off creation reportedly cost more than any car in Mercedes’ lineup at the time.

According to Broad Arrow, only 11 units were built, and this is the sole example equipped with the dramatic gullwing doors. The market for Mercedes-Benz models customized by independent tuners like Boschert remains niche, making this a true collector’s piece.

Other Oddballs to Watch

The auction will also feature a range of other unconventional and rare vehicles, including:

• A 1970s Lancia Fulvia HF with a unique racing pedigree
• A 1990s Bizzarrini 5300 GT Strada, a rare Italian-American hybrid
• A Pagani Zonda C12 S Roadster, a limited-edition supercar with a striking design
• A Nissan Skyline R34 GT-R, a Japanese JDM icon
• A Porsche 911 Turbo with a distinctive wide-body conversion

The Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este Auction promises to be a must-see event for collectors and enthusiasts alike, offering a mix of legendary names, rare finds, and truly unusual automobiles.