A former professional cyclist will auction his collection of 41 cars: Alfa Romeo, Ferrari, Lancia... "a lifetime's work".

It's news that will thrill Italian car enthusiasts everywhere: a private collection considered to be one of the most impressive in Europe will be auctioned off in March 2026. The exclusive information, revealed by Auto Motor und Sport, concerns the legendary automobile collection built up over several decades by former German champion amateur cyclist and car dealer Fritz Neuser. At the age of 93, he has decided to pass on what he considers to be his "life's work".

A sporting career, then a life devoted to cars

Before becoming a household name in the world of prestige cars, Fritz Neuser was one of Germany's top amateur cyclists. Between 1948 and 1957, he won over 300 races and a dozen titles. At the 1956 Melbourne Olympics, he came close to a medal before suffering an accident for which he was not responsible.

The end of his sporting career did not, however, distance him from the world of mechanical passion. Trained as a radio technician, he chose the automobile route and in 1962 opened his first dealership in Nuremberg, a cramped space "scarcely larger than a double garage", he recalls. Auto-Neuser soon became a British Leyland distributor, Alfa Romeothen Ferrari. His reputation did the rest: respected salesman, brilliant amateur driver, boss of the Scuderia Auto-Neuser. In his team, names like Bernd Hahne and Anton Fischhaber won titles. Success followed him everywhere, to the point where the German press described him as the "uncrowned king of luxury cars". As for the man himself, he simply prefers to call himself an enthusiast.

A collection dominated by Ferrari, but rich in Italian treasures

The inventory lists 41 cars, including 21 Ferraris, and photos taken in Fritz Neuser's hangar immediately confirm the extent of this passion for Maranello. The light reflects off the hoods of a series of impeccably aligned berlinettes, among which stands out a sumptuous Ferrari F355 in concours condition.

Alfa Romeo enthusiasts are not left out. In one shot, an Alfa Romeo Giulia in GTAm racing livery immediately catches the eye. It stands right next to a prototype in Martini Racing livery, a scene that seems frozen in time. Further on, the recognizable silhouette of a Lancia Delta, probably an HF Integrale.

These photos are just a foretaste of what the Auto Motor und Sport article confirms: Italian cars are the beating heart of the sale. Some are true masterpieces, such as the extremely rare 1974 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona painted piniengrün, a color almost never seen on this model. Equally exceptional is the Alfa Romeo GTAm mentioned in the catalog, authenticated by the factory and the Alfa Romeo Museum as number 22 of the original 40 built.

Alongside these icons, the collection also includes some unexpected rarities: an Abarth 2200 Allemano Spider, a De Tomaso Pantera GTS 5, a Chevron B19 prototype, as well as several legendary Ferraris such as the 512 BB, the 512 BBi and one of the highly sought-after 308 GTB Vetroresina. The ensemble is rounded off by a few enticing interlopers, including a Porsche 356 B Roadster and a sublime Mercedes Ponton Cabriolet from 1953, restored to perfection.

Finally, a detail captured in the photos is intriguing: at the back of the hangar, a large Maserati flag flies above the cars. As no models from the brand with the Trident are clearly visible in the images, the question remains open. But knowing Neuser's background and proximity to the great Italian brands, it would be surprising if the sale didn't reveal at least one example. One more surprise to look forward to when the auction begins.

A legacy to be auctioned in March 2026

Artcurial will organize the sale on March 14 and 15, 2026 in Paris. The event promises to be exceptional, both in terms of the diversity and the remarkable condition of the vehicles conserved. In addition to the cars, eleven engines will be auctioned, including an Alfa GTA four-cylinder with magnesium crankcase, a Ferrari 246 GT V6 and even a Lamborghini V12. All of this will be accompanied by an arsenal of vintage parts: gearboxes, rear axles, components that have become impossible to find for both Alfa Romeo and Ferrari.

The sale will also include more personal items, such as Neuser's competition bikes, including a carbon Colnago produced in only three examples, and the track bike used at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics. For Neuser, this decision is not a bitter farewell but a logical transition. "It's simply time to pass on my work," he tells the German magazine.