This collection of 25 super cars belonging to an African dictator’s playboy son and seized by Swiss authorities are up for grabs at auction.
In 2016, police in Geneva, which lies at the southern tip of expansive Lake Geneva, Switzerland, seized 25 luxury sports cars belonging to Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue, the scandal-riddled son of Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, the President of Equatorial Guinea.
President Teodoro Obiang Nguema, who is Africa’s longest-serving leader, and his son, have been accused of misusing the country’s oil revenue and have been involved in numerous scandals.
Back in 2016, the cars were seized in Switzerland and following an investigation into money laundering and mismanagement of public assets, the Swiss public prosecutor in Geneva confirmed the luxury car collection will be auctioned off and the proceeds with be given to a social programme in Equatorial Guinea where over 80 percent of the population live in poverty.
It is thought that the auction will bring in at least 10 million GBP.
In June 2017, a Swiss court refused requests from Equatorial Guinea to release the vehicles seized in Geneva.
The playboy politician has been the subject of numerous corruption investigations into his lavish lifestyle. In 2017, he was sentenced to three years’ probation for embezzlement and corruption in France, where he was accused of embezzling jewellery, cars, and property, as well as works of art.
Now the luxury cars, including a Lamborghini Veneno estimated to be worth around 5 million EUR (4.4 million GBP), a Ferrari LaFerrari estimated at around 2.5 million EUR (2.23 million GBP), a Koenigsegg One:1 worth around 2 million EUR (1.78 million GBP), a McLaren P1 estimated at around 1.6 million EUR (1.43 million GBP), an Aston Martin One 77 also estimated at about 1.6 million EUR and a Bugatti Veyron 16.4 estimated at around 800,000 EUR (715,000 GBP), are set to go under the hammer.
The auction will be held by international Auction House Bonhams in September at the Bonmont Golf and Country Club near to Geneva.
Highlights of the auction include:
Lamborghini Veneno
One of nine roadster versions of the ultimate Lamborghini, which were produced in the colours of the Italian flag to celebrate the company’s 50th anniversary: red, white and green. This two-tone white and cream car has been driven a mere 325 kilometres (202 miles). It has been estimated at between 4.5 million EUR (4.02 GBP) and 5 million EUR (4.47 million GBP).
Ferrari – La Ferrari
The Formula 1 and GT-inspired model is described by the Modena manufacturer as the ‘most ambitious’ Ferrari and the first production car to be equipped with F1-derived hybrid technology. This particular car has covered 1,000 kilometres (621 miles). It is believed to be worth between 2.3 million EUR (2.05 million GBP) and 2.5 million EUR (2.23 million GBP).
Koenigsegg One:1
Arguably the rarest car in the collection, only six were produced by the Swedish manufacturer who described it as the world’s first mega car, producing more than one megawatt of power, at its Geneva motor show launch in 2014. This car has been driven just 597 kilometres (371 miles). It is believed to be worth between 1.6 million EUR (1.43 million GBP) and 2 million EUR (1.78 million GBP).
McLaren P1
One of only 375 hybrid super sports made by the British manufacturing arm of the successful Formula 1 firm. It has been driven just 1,000 kilometres (621 miles) . It has been valued at between 1.3 million EUR (1.16 million GBP) and 1.6 million EUR (1.43 million GBP).
Aston Martin One 77
Number 35 of 77. Aston Martin’s flagship carbon fibre and aluminium hypercar was produced in a limited run between 2009 and 2012, featuring a 7.3-litre V12 engine, with a top speed of 220 mph. It has been estimated at between 1.2 million EUR (1.07 million GBP) and 1.6 million EUR (1.43 million GBP).
Bugatti Veyron 16.4
The French produced Veyron, named after racing driver Pierre, set the benchmark for supercars when launched in 2005, combining racing car performance (1000 hp, maximum speed of more than 250 mph and acceleration from 0-62 mph in 2.5 seconds) with a luxury package. This Atlantic Blue example is offered in very good condition, having driven just over 3,000 miles. It has been valued at between 600,000 EUR (536,402 GBP) and 800,000 EUR (715,203 GBP).
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Story By: Kathryn Quinn, Sub-Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: Central European News
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