The Zoute Sale by Bonhams, taking place in the Belgian municipality of Knokke-Heist on 11 October (though sadly not during the traditional Zoute Grand Prix, which has been postponed to 2021 because of the coronavirus), comprises a small but high-quality selection of classic and modern cars pitched at the wealthier and more discerning collectors.
Spearheading the auction is the BMW 507 Series II that was delivered new to His Royal Highness Prince Constantine II of Greece in 1959. It’s one of just 252 of the Albrecht Graf Goertz-designed drop-tops built and has been in its present ownership for over 30 years. Eligible for the world’s greatest events including the Mille Miglia and the Tour Auto, the BMW has an attached pre-sale estimate of 1.9–2.3m euros.
Sharing the heights of the catalogue is a concours-standard matching-numbers 1963 Ferrari 250 GT Lusso (est. 1.6–1.8m euros) and a rare triple-black 1958 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster (700,000–900,000 euros). Though nowhere near valuable, we’re rather taken with the 1955 Aston Martin DB2/4 that was ordered new by King Baudouin of Belgium. How good does the Grand Tourer look finished in Imperial Crimson over beige Connolly hide? It’s estimated at 250,000–300,000 euros.
At the younger end of the spectrum, Bonhams is offering examples of both the first- and second-generation Ford GT. The former, an all-black European model originally delivered to the former team manager of Scuderia Filipinetti and in as-new condition, is expected to garner 300,000–400,000 euros. The latter, meanwhile, a one-owner grey car with just 1,500km on the clock, is expected to sell for 700,000–1m euros.
Perhaps our favourite car from the sale, however, is the unique 2005 Ferrari 612 Scaglietti Shooting Brake (150,000–250,000 euros). Created by the Dutch design studio Vandenbrink Design, the V12 wagon boasts a genuinely intriguing design, one that we happen to think works very well indeed. You can find our 10 favourite cars from The Zoute Sale listed below or, alternatively, browse the entire catalogue in the Classic Driver Market.
