Meet the Specialist

What do you do at Bonhams?

I am a Specialist and Consultant for the Motor Car department in Europe, looking after clients in Italy and Germany. Our next sale in Europe is The Monaco Sale 'Les Grandes Marques à Monaco', which takes place on 23 April in Monte Carlo.

Where are you from and what inspired you to go into the auction world? 

I come from a small town in Germany and grew up with two motorcycle and car-mad brothers. I caught the auction bug after seeing my first classic car auction in London, and didn't rest until the same auction house offered me a job a few years later. I went through the ranks from administrator, Automobilia department and finally working as a car specialist.

What was your first job? 

After studying in Berlin, my first job in the classic car industry was in London, doing everything from pushing and cleaning cars to organizing sales and liaising with clients. I can now look back at almost 20 years of experience in the industry.

What has changed in the business since you first started?

The past 20 years have seen vast technological shifts across the industry in the presentation of cars in online sales, further accelerated by the pandemic in 2020. In terms of the market, there has also been a generational change towards cars of the 1980s and 1990s and away from Pre-War cars, which were the core of the business when I started.

What is your strength as a specialist?

Being enthusiastic and knowledgeable about cars is important, but in my experience it is even more crucial to be able to deal with customers from all walks of life. Having lived in different countries and being able to speak various languages helps enormously.

What’s exciting you about your next sale?

My personal favourites are the Isdera Imperator - I remember well when the CW 311 prototype was presented and at the time thought that this is a true super car which Mercedes-Benz should have produced.

Another one is the stunning Ferrari Dino 246 GTS in nocciola metallizzato - for me the Dino 246, together with the Ferrari 275 GTB, rank among the most beautiful production Ferraris ever built.

Do you have a hidden talent?

Not so hidden but I speak a few languages - besides my native German, I speak English and Italian fluently, as well as some French and Dutch. I also ride horses quite a lot and like to think that I am a capable cook.

Name one of your triumphs: 

The first high value car that I consigned and sold was a Mercedes-Benz 540 K owned by King Farouk of Egypt. Although I can’t say they are my favourite cars of all time, I seem to have luck with Pre-War compressor Mercedes as I successfully sold another 500 K Cabriolet A at our Grand Palais sale in Paris in 2019 for € 1,610,000.

What was your first car? 

The first car I bought was a VW Golf Mk I - not a GTI but very basic in Miami blue. It actually had an interesting history as its first owner won the car in a lottery. My first classic car was 1968 Mercedes-Benz 250/8 - I was still at university and could not really afford it’s astronomical fuel consumption

Gregor Wenner is a Specialist Consultant for the Motor Car department at Bonhams in Italy and Germany. He can be reached at gregor.wenner@bonhams.com

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