The auction will take place over three days. On Friday, 12 June 2026, the classic room auction will begin at 12.00 noon, followed by Saturday, 13 June 2026 at 10.00 am. An international online-only auction will follow on Sunday, 14 June 2026 from 2.00 pm to 5.00 pm. In addition to automobilia, several important bicycle collections form a second major focus of the event.
The range covers a period from the end of the 1890s to the 2000s. Early Opel bicycles and rare ZR-III racing and track bike models are included, as well as an early Opel motorbike from 1919. Professional team bikes from ONCE and Banesto from the great era of international professional cycling complete the collection. A Bianchi racing bike from 1947 with a connection to Fausto Coppi is one of the special exhibits. Bikes associated with Miguel Indurain, Melcior Mauri and Igor González de Galdeano will also be auctioned.
Auction of Opel ZR III models from the 1920s
An Opel ZR III prototype from 1925 to 1926 has a special technical feature. The bottom bracket is secured using double clamping screws in the frame instead of the usual counter ring and external thread on the left-hand side. The bike has a Lohmann saddle, wheels with wooden rims, a double bottle cage with an Opel eye and black enamel paintwork. An Opel saddlebag and air pump are part of the equipment. In the 1920s, the ZR III racing model was one of the top sporty models in Opel bicycle production and was developed for endurance and track races. The starting price is 6,000 euros.
The Opel ZR III professional rider model from 1927 is in very good condition. It is fully equipped with double bottle cage with Opel eye, folding oiler, wooden rims, Lohmann saddle, chain ring with Opel eye, saddle bag and F&S torpedo hub. An air pump and an Opel bicycle cap are included. The ZR III model was one of the racing bikes with which riders from the Opel racing department took part in numerous national and international competitions in the 1920s. The starting price is 5,000 euros.
Track bikes and racing bikes from the 1930s
An Opel ZR III track bike Doppelstabil from the 1930s has been fully restored. The offer includes a contemporary helmet with the inside inscription "E. Köhler" as well as rider's gloves. The bike is equipped with Brooks pedal loops, Lohmann saddle and BSA chainring. The designation "ZR" was used at Opel for racing and track bike models. Such bicycles were designed for use on race tracks and were characterised by a particularly rigid frame and sporty geometry. Models with the additional designation "Doppelstabil" had a reinforced frame construction to increase stability under sporting loads. The starting price was 3,000 euros.
Italian racing bikes from the post-war period at auction
The Gino Bartali racing bike from 1959 shows an unrestored paintwork. The frame number is "66047". The bike has Ambrosio Gran Prix handlebars, a "Velocipedi Novi Ligure Santamaria - Marca Depos" shield, Balilla brakes, a Campagnolo hub, a Bartali saddle and a Silca air pump. The pedals are missing. A contemporary "Bartali Ursus" jersey and a cycling cap are part of the offer. Gino Bartali was one of the most successful cyclists of his time with two victories in the Tour de France in 1938 and 1948 as well as three overall victories in the Giro d'Italia. After his active career, he marketed bicycles under his own name. His racing bikes were produced in the late 1940s and 1950s by Santamaria in Novi Ligure, among others. The starting price is 2,500 euros.
A Bianchi Specialissima model from 1961 in "Gran Sport" specification is unrestored. The frame number is "160272". The bike has a rare special paint finish "Red Metallizzato". The equipment includes Ambrosio handlebars and stem, Universal Mod. 61 brakes, Campagnolo gears and a Brooks saddle. The "Specialissima" model represented the top class of Bianchi racing bikes in the 1950s and 1960s and was also used by professional racing teams. The starting price is 900 euros.
The Fiorelli racing bike from 1951 is unrestored. It has Campagnolo gears, a Coppi saddle and Stronglight pedals. The tyre diameter is 68 cm, the handlebar height 87 cm and the frame height 50 cm. In the post-war period, Fiorelli was one of the Italian manufacturers closely associated with professional cycling. In the early 1950s, racing bikes of this type were equipped with the then new Campagnolo shifting systems, which became increasingly popular in international racing. The starting price is 300 euros.
Memorabilia and other collector's items
Numerous original cycling jerseys, signed rider cards, photographs and other memorabilia from the history of European cycling complete the offer. The complete auction catalogue is already available online. Interested parties can register at www.automobilia-ladenburg.de view all lots and register there to submit pre-bids.
Kristian Bauer
Editor
