12 gorgeous classics going under the hammer this weekend

Big-money beauties for sale in Belgium

This weekend, Bonhams’ Zoute Sale, on the Belgian coast at Knokke-Heist, will see some gorgeous classic cars go under the hammer.

We’re the first to admit we can’t afford them, but that doesn’t mean we don’t want to enjoy fabulous photos of them.

So here are 12 great-looking classics, in no particular order, all consigned to the 11 October 2020 sale. And if you’re tempted, you’ll have to get saving.

1. 1963 Ferrari 250GT Berlinetta Lusso (est: €1.6-1.8m/£1.5-1.6m)

We promise, this list isn’t entirely classic Ferraris – in fact, we’ve deliberately omitted some – but you know the drill by now, at every high-end classic-car sale, exotic Prancing Horses will be found.

And having benefited from what’s described as a concours-standard restoration, completed last December, this matching-numbers example is set to achieve one of the top prices in Belgium on Sunday.

1963 Ferrari 250GT Berlinetta Lusso (cont.)

The 109th of 350, this Pininfarina-penned, Scaglietti-built, Kamm-tailed two-door was delivered new to France and has spent most of its life there.

And it’s good to know that it’s not just been polished and looked at. In 2002 and again in 2012 it was driven on the Tour Auto.

2. 1969 Lamborghini Espada (est: €140-180,000/£130-160,000)

Also sold new to France, this eye-catching Espada was only the 20th built. Indeed, of the 1217 Espadas to leave the factory, just 186 were Series 1 cars, like this.

It was actually originally finished in silver and although the auction house doesn’t explicitly state when it changed colour, given that it had a restoration that was completed in late 2017, early 2018, it is likely it happened then.

1969 Lamborghini Espada (cont.)

However, its V12 is its original engine, as is the interior which was simply cleaned and refitted during its restoration.

And as an early example, this Bertone-designed, four-seat classic is very desirable indeed.

3. 1962 Facel Vega Facel II Coupé (est: €250-300,000/£230-270,000)

Another rarity – this time one of 182 produced – this Facel Vega oozes elegance and is sure to turn heads wherever it goes.

To date it has lived in Germany and the US, which is perhaps fitting for a classic that’s a sleek blend of European style and American V8 power. And who knows where it will be bound following Bonhams’ sale.

1962 Facel Vega Facel II Coupé (cont.)

Like many cars in this auction, it has been restored, the work carried out between 2015 and 2017 and fully documented.

Its grey exterior and red interior were specified when new, as were the Chrysler Torqueflite automatic transmission, powered steering and brakes, a limited-slip differential, Borrani wheels and an HMV radio – it is thought the sunroof was added later.

4. 1958 BMW 503 Cabriolet (est: €350-450,000/£320-410,000)

With a 3.2-litre V8 under the bonnet and the looks to match, this one-of-138 BMW 503 drop-top has the go to match its show.

German registered, it is now 18 years since chassis number 69264 was restored, but it’s said to still be in first-class condition – it certainly looks it.

1958 BMW 503 Cabriolet (cont.)

We love its elegantly simple cookies and cream-coloured interior that looks fantastic in the sunshine – and should the weather turn, simply raise the black soft-top.

We’re dreaming of summer road trips already.

5. Jaguar XK120 SE (est: €130-150,000/£120-140,000)

‘Beautiful’ is surely just one of the many adjectives thrown at this XK120 in its 66 years, and a lot has changed since this US-market example was shipped from the factory to New York, finished in Pastel Blue, with red interior trim and a French Grey soft-top.

It has also since gained an XK140 SE-spec engine and C-type cylinder head, this during a restoration in 2008-’09; it will be sold with its original engine block, too.

Jaguar XK120 SE (cont.)

It is said to still be in excellent condition today and heads to auction with some fantastic details.

Note the quick-release fuel filler cap, the fitted suitcase nestled in the boot and the hip flask slipped into the driver’s door pocket.

6. 1956 Arnolt-Bristol Deluxe S Coupé/Roadster (est: €850,000/£770,000)

They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder and while we rather like the Bertone-bodied looks of this one-off, we’re not sure everyone will agree.

However you’re unlikely to have seen it before – it is thought that Bonhams’ Zoute sale is the first time this car has been seen in public since a fire in Arnolt’s Chicago showroom in December 1956 which destroyed 12 cars.

1956 Arnolt-Bristol Deluxe S Coupé/Roadster (cont.)

This car didn’t survive that drama unscathed, and it took until a marque collector realised what it was in 2013 and instigated what turned out to be a six-year restoration.

This example is unique because it was built as a coupé and then had its roof chopped off by Arnolt, making it a roadster with a detachable hardtop, and it’s the sole Arnolt-Bristol in this configuration with the coupé’s distinctive retractable headlights. 

7. 1961 Ferrari 250GTE 2+2 Coupé (est: €360-420,000/£330-380,000)

We make no apologies for a second Ferrari, especially when it is a matching-numbers example and the 34th 250GTE 2+2 Coupé built.

Not only that, but following its £200,000-plus restoration, it claimed a class win at 2019’s Salon Privé.

1961 Ferrari 250GTE 2+2 Coupé (cont.)

To date it has been kept in Switzerland, Germany, America and, most recently, the UK, where its four-year restoration took place.

It heads to auction with a spare wheel, toolkit, manual, Ferrari-branded leather wallet and its Ferrari Classiche certification.

8. 1955 Aston Martin DB2/4 (est: €250-300,000/£230-270,000)

This Imperial Crimson Aston Martin was ordered new by King Baudouin of Belgium on French diplomatic plates, apparently common for members of the Belgian royal family whose cars were delivered new to the Paris embassy.

With its crisp, beige Connolly leather interior it is a striking combination.

1955 Aston Martin DB2/4 (cont.)

Now described as ‘on the button’, it was restored to its original specification between 2001 and 2008, and most recently has been kept and little used in a private collection.

Although in October 2019 it took the 1000km drive from Germany to Zoute for the concours and back in its stride.

9. 1940 BMW 327 Sport Cabriolet (est: €180-240,000/£160-220,000)

Yes, you’ve guessed it, our second BMW has also been the beneficiary of a concours-standard restoration and this 80-year-old soft-top looks stunning.

And it’s the more unusual, triple-carburettor version.

1940 BMW 327 Sport Cabriolet (cont.)

That aforementioned restoration was a serious undertaking, work starting in 2004 and not finishing until 2012, the whole process documented with photographs.

And it has since done just 500km, meaning this Sunday’s winning bidder has a lot to enjoy.

10. 1969 Lamborghini Islero S (est: €220-300,000/£200-270,000)

Its V12 is the same as when it left the factory all those years ago, but back then this Islero was white with a mustard-coloured interior.

The switch to a dark grey metallic paint with a two-tone tan leather and Alcantara-trimmed cabin came about during its restoration a couple of years ago, and suits it very well.

1969 Lamborghini Islero S (cont.)

In fact, before that, one owner repainted it red, so this Lamborghini has had a rather colourful life.

It’s not yet fully run in since its 2014-’15 rebuild and surely this car is begging to be enjoyed. You’ll certainly turn heads and for all the right reasons.

11. 1956 Porsche 356A Cabriolet (est: €850,000/£770,000)

This is one of only 26 Porsche 356A 1500 GS Carrera Cabriolets to wear the T1 body and its first custodian, Germany’s Prinz Friedrich Zu Furstenberg, raced it.

Its second owner has a familiar surname – Hans Peter Stihl of the company that makes trimmers, chainsaws and so on.

And it was later shipped to the USA by a subsequent owner, Martin Eppich, who was an interpreter for the US army.

1956 Porsche 356A Cabriolet (cont.)

It was restored in America in the ’90s and enjoyed success at concours, returning to Europe in 2012.

This rare Porsche has since benefited from further work and heads to auction this weekend with a €850,000/£770,000 pre-sale estimate.

12. 1959 BMW 507 Roadster (est: €1.9-2.3m/£1.7-2.1m)

Last, but by no means least, we return to the BMW we started this gallery with, that’s heading to this weekend’s sale after more than three decades with the same keeper.

And this BMW 507 Series II Roadster’s first owner was none other than HRH Prince Constantine II of Greece, at which point it had the numberplate ‘36’, a Nardi steering wheel and a Becker Mexico radio.

But by the time its current owner acquired it in 1989, it was no longer in regal condition and in great need of the nut and bolt restoration it soon received.

1959 BMW 507 Roadster (cont.)

Three years later, and now white rather than its original dark silver, it was ready to be enjoyed – and that’s exactly what’s happened.

It has been campaigned on four Mille Miglias, two Trofeo Balenarios, a Tour Auto, four Eifel Klassiks and more, as well as attending marque gatherings, clocking up 55,000 post-restoration kilometres.

And now it is predicted to achieve the top price at Sunday’s Zoute Sale with Bonhams. To find out more about this sale and the other lots consigned, just click here.