A new interview with Christian Philippsen, creator of LeBolide - an online auction platform

Christian, we had started to get used to see rather affordable cars offered on leBolide. But recently, we saw lots of higher value being advertised. Is this a conscious move?
Christian Philippsen: "Absolutely! Your observation is right, and there is a good reason for it. When we launched leBolide, we wanted to make sure that everything worked well from an operational point of view. Of course, we had done a lot of testing beforehand, but you never know how people will use the site and there might have been glitches that had escaped us. Had that been the case, I thought we’d rather have a problem to solve with the vendor or the buyer of a 10 000-euro car than with a car worth 50 or 100 time that much. We were fortunate and did not experience teething troubles. And the essential English version of leBolide is online! So we feel we are now ready to move upscale, where I have more personal contacts as well"

There is one lot you are particularly proud of…
Christian: "Indeed, we are particularly proud to offer the very first Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint Zagato, chassis number 00001! The car is in the same ownership since 40 years and I have known it for almost as long! I already told you that I am a Lotus fan but, if there is one car I have respect for, it is the Giulietta, its lovely twin cam engine and, in this case, the exceptionally cute -and efficient- ‘coda tonda’ (round tail) body design by Zagato. 00001 has kept all the little differences that distinguish it from the subsequent 200 or so units produced, like the door handles or the seats. First acquired by Scuderia Sant’Ambroeus, racing was an immediate part of its life. Driven by Sergio Pedretti, alias “Kim”, it won among others the 1960 Italian GT Championship in the 1300cc class"

An exceptional opportunity indeed. When will the bidding start?
Christian: "Probably beginning of November. This is a car of global appeal and we have planned an international media campaign which we must first complete"

You also advertised a Delahaye and a Peugeot on OldCar24
Christian: "We did, and we have more cars of special interest. The Delahaye is a 1939 135 M with a very elegant body by Figoni. The Peugeot is a 905 Spider, great fun for those who enjoy track days. We also have Ferrari 308 GTS that was purchased new by James Coburn and is now in the hands of its second owner only, in totally original condition. And a Porsche 930 Turbo SE Works ‘Flatnose’. In a different league, but rare, a Citroen Mehari 4x4 and a ½ scale Bugatti 35 toy"