We always enjoy interviewing Christian Philippsen

We always enjoy interviewing Christian Philippsen (https://www.oldcar24.com/magazine/378/intervista-al-fondatore-di-lebolide-com-christian-philippsen), the car enthusiast who launched leBolide.com (could you add a link to www.lebolide.com?). Remember, leBolide is an online auction platform connecting sellers and buyers of cars of special interest, classic and modern, small and big, expensive and affordable. Christian loves cars, just like we do at OldCar24. Let’s catch up with him.

Christian, what’s new?
Well, generally speaking, I couldn’t be happier looking forward to enjoying life again! We’ll soon be able to travel, drive our cars, participate in events and meet friends again. That is of course great news, also for leBolide. As you know, we had a week dedicated to Porsche last March. We were very satisfied, with close to 80 000 visits on our site. Themes appear to work, so we decided to pursue the idea and will dedicate the month of June to convertibles. As the Porsche experience showed us that a week was a bit short, we shall feature convertibles during a whole month. And, on a personal basis, I just added a 1967 Lotus Elan to my stables.

We know you are a Lotus fan…
I am a Lotus fan indeed, but not exclusively! True, I always thought that Colin Chapman was a brilliant engineer. Jim Clark was my hero. The combination of the two built a World Championship winning team that impressed me at an age when I was absorbing everything. Over the years, I had a Seven, an Elite and an Elan +2. But I never owned a ‘pure’ Elan and have always been told they are such wonderful driving machines. Chapman used to say: “Simplify, then add lightness”. Gordon Murray, for whom I have the greatest respect, is following the same principle. His McLaren F1 and now GMA T.50 are however not in the same price league…

Will you have an Elan for sale in June?
It is a bit early to say. We would of course be delighted, but not mine, mine is a keeper. May I mention a few cars we’d love to include in our auction? All of them I have owned at one time or another, and all left me with great memories. The MG TC, for instance, and a Renault spider, a Mercedes 500 SL with retractable roof, a 1920’s Bentley tourer, not to forget my first Ferrari -or ‘quasi-Ferrari’-, a Dino 246 GTS, or the prettiest of them all, a Ferrari 250 GT cabriolet from the 1st series. At the other end of the scale, a Citroën 2 CV is equally welcome. Time to remind that sellers may keep their cars at home and don’t pay a commission. Buyers pay a premium of 5% only. We have a great team and are very competitive.

We wish you and the leBolide team the very best.
Thank you. Oh! I haven’t mentioned yet that we just started selling motorbikes and are about to introduce the overdue English version of leBolide.