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Bonhams’ Kings of the Road ... European Monarchs’ Motor Cars at The Zoute Sale 2020


1959 BMW 507 Series II Roadster s_n 70227 Estimate €1,900,000 - 2,300,000 £1,700,000 - 2,100,000

1959 BMW 507 Series II Roadster s_n 70227 Estimate €1,900,000 - 2,300,000 £1,700,000 - 2,100,000

 

Zoute, 12th September, 2020

1959 BMW 507, first owned by King Constantine II of Greece, will grace the elegant seaside resort of Knokke-le-Zoute as the top lot, with an estimate of €1,900,000 – 2,300,000, in the Bonhams Zoute Sale on Sunday 11 October 2020


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King Constantine’s BMW 507

The 507 was one of the most sought-after, and indeed expensive, convertibles of the 1950s, rivalled only by the far larger production Mercedes 300SL, beloved by celebrities and car aficionados. Alain Delon, Ursula Andress, Elvis Presley, John Surtees and the Aga Khan were among the most notable of the exclusive group of 252 owners.

King Constantine’s car was originally finished in metallic grey paintwork and was fitted with options fit for a king – a Nardi steering wheel and Becker Mexico radio, complete with a state-of-the-art phone aerial – and bore the exclusive ’36’ registration plate. 

Thirty-four years later, with the car discovered in Greece, its current owner commissioned a complete nut and bolt restoration by a renowned German 507 specialist in Bavaria, carried out over three years and costing six-figures. The bodywork was resprayed in ‘Federweiss’ white paint and the interior retrimmed in dark blue leather with a matching soft top. 

The beautifully restored 507 has recently taken part in the world’s most prestigious motoring events including the Mille Miglia and the model’s 60th anniversary celebration in 2005.

King Baudouin’s Aston Martin DB2/4

The DB2/4 was also restored, in the early 2000s, to the original specification of King Baudouin, which included the aptly named ‘Royal Crimson’ coachwork with contrasting beige Connolly leather.

One of the fastest British cars of its day, its 140bhp power output and close on 200km/h top speed no doubt appealed to the royal who was also known for owning a DB2 DHC, and several Maseratis. 

Aimed at the ‘sports car enthusiast with a family’ the elegant two-plus-two DB2/4 was also described by The Motor magazine as ‘the fastest car in the world capable of carrying two people with a month’s luggage’. Its occasional rear seats could be folded down to create double the luggage space, accessed by a then pioneering example of the now commonplace ‘hatchback’ concept.  

The King’s DB2/4 was supplied by the Belgian Aston Martin concessionaire Mannès but was delivered to the Belgian embassy in Paris, for security reasons, and registered on diplomatic number plates.

This car is now returning to Zoute, where it appeared at last year’s Concours d’Elégance in the ‘Cars of the Belgian Royal Family’ class, and is offered with the records of its royal ownership.  

From Kings to the Commendatore

Founded by Enzo Ferrari – ‘Il Commendatore’ – the Maranello marque is considered automotive royalty and the Zoute Sale will offer two examples of its revered 250 series. The 250 GT Lusso Berlinetta, styled by Pininfarina and built by Scaglietti, combined racetrack aesthetics and performance, its 3.0-litre V12 engine achieving a top speed of 250km/h, with grand tourer comfort. Considered by many as the series' most elegant model, it is to this day considered a true icon of the Maranello marque. This 1963 example (estimate €1,600,000 – 1,800,000), delivered new to France, has participated in the Tour Auto. It was the subject of a Ferrari-certified concours-standard restoration in 2018.

The Lusso will be joined by an earlier 1961 Ferrari 250 GTEof the first series – the marque’s first production four-seater, also capable of reaching speeds in excess of 230 km/h. The GTE was officially unveiled to the world at the Paris Salon of 1960. This example carries an estimate of €360,000 - 420,000 and is concours restored with Ferrari Classiche certification and continuous known history from new.

 

Other highlights

2018 Ford GT, €700,000 – 1,000,000

The second-generation of the 21st century homage to the legendary 1960s GT40 which stormed to a resounding 1-2-3 victory at the 1966 Le Mans 24 hours, beating the Ferrari team’s 330 P3 race cars.

The highly desirable third generation GT Coupé is powered by a V6 engine, but is technologically worlds apart, with its carbon-fibre monocoque chassis and carbon-fibre body panels. The 3.5-litre turbocharged Ecoboost unit, mated with a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox, delivers 647 Bhp, with acceleration of 0-100km/h in under three seconds and a top speed of 347km/h.

This rare EU-delivered example, which has covered just 1,800km from new, is offered with a bespoke Ford indoor car cover, believed to be produced by Hermès.

 

1957 AC Bristol Roadster, estimate €400,000 - 500,000

After participating in several rallies, the car on offer was an actual challenger in the 1960 Le Mans 24 Hours, the AC sporting number 57 for the Rambaux-Boutin team, but had to abandon the race after 14 hours with engine failure.

Having been restored, the car now performs perfectly and has been treated with care over the past 20 years by its current custodian. However, it still retains its original chassis, coachwork to Le Mans specification and accessories including a bespoke windscreen, steering-wheel and period photos.

 

1976 Porsche 911 Carrera 2.7 MFI Targa ‘Belgian Gendarmerie’, €170,000 - 250,000

One of only twenty 911s ordered new by the Belgian government and delivered by D’leteren in Brussels, these were the fastest-ever police cars until 1983. This car was one of the very last examples of the 1976 enhanced performance mechanical fuel injection ‘Sondermodell’ range, of which only 113 cars were produced.

It was discovered in ‘dry barnfind’ condition after 30 years of dry storage, and it is offered mainly unrestored but in good mechanical order, with its 210hp Carrera engine freshly rebuilt and all period police accessories in working order. 


The Zoute Sale 

The Zoute sale will be a traditional live auction, held in accordance with local government COVID guidelines at the time, with bids accepted from the sale room, in addition to online telephone and absentee bids. 

Entry to the sale is by catalogue only and potential bidders are requested to register in advance to ensure their place. The auction will also be streamed live and will offer enhanced video content of the lots.

Viewings in person will be available by appointment only on Thursday 8, Friday 9 and Saturday 10 October, from 08.00 – 18.00, and on the Sunday sale day from 08.00 until 14.00 when the auction starts. 

 

 

Lot

Description

S/N

Estimates

Price

06

1963 FIAT 500 Jolly Beach Car

273192

€80,000 - 120,000
 (NR)

Not Sold

07

1966 Mercedes-Benz 230 SL 'Pagoda' ZF 5-speed

113-042-10-
017125

€100,000 - 150,000

€125,350

08

1956 Austin-Healey 100/4 BN2 Roadster

BN2/L/231401

€90,000 - 140,000
(NR)

€97,750

09

1955 Aston Martin DB2/4 3.0-Litre Sports Saloon

LML/785

€250,000 - 300,000

€264,500

10

1957 AC Ace-Bristol Roadster

BEX365

€400,000 - 500,000

€454,250

11

2019 Porsche 911.2 Speedster

WP0ZZZ99ZKS
170870

€270,000 - 350,000

€299,000

12

1931 FIAT Tipo 514 CA 'Coppa del Alpi' Competition Roadster

224393

€250,000 - 350,000

Not Sold

14

1958 BMW 503 3.2-Litre Series II Cabriolet

69264

€350,000 - 450,000

Not Sold

15

1958 Ferrari 250 GT Series I Coupé

1201GT

€390,000 - 470,000

Not Sold

16

1958 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster

85.00255

€700,000 - 900,000

€851,000

17

2019 Mercedes-AMG GT R PRO Coupé

WMX1903791A
028265

€160,000 - 200,000
(NR)

€166,750

18

1954 Austin-Healey 100/4 BN1 Coupé

BN1-L/156167

€120,000 - 180,000

€126,500

19

1976 Porsche 911 2.7 Carrera MFI 'Belgian Gendarmerie' narrow body Targa

9116619025

€170,000 - 250,000

€189,750

20

1969 Lamborghini Espada Series I Coupé

7063

€140,000 - 180,000

Not Sold

21

2018 Ford GT Coupé

WAHURWA
2AX2AABAAQA

€700,000 - 1,000,000

Not Sold

22

1963 Ferrari 250 GT Lusso

5017GT

€1,600,000 - 1,800,000

€1,782,500

23

1962 Facel Vega Facel II Coupé

HK2 A146

€250,000 - 300,000

Not Sold

24

1969 Lamborghini Islero S Coupé

400GT2216634

€220,000 - 300,000

€287,500

25

2005 Ford GT

1FAFP90S45Y
401089

€300,000 - 400,000

Not Sold

26

1961 Ferrari 250 GTE 2+2

2255GT

€360,000 - 420,000

Not Sold

27

1959 BMW 507 Series II Roadster

70227

€1,900,000 - 2,300,000

€2,070,000

28

1965 Jaguar E-Type 4.2-Litre 'Series 1'

1E 10552

€110,000 - 130,000

€111,550

29

1956 Bentley S1 Continental Coupé

BC59LAF

€330,000 - 390,000

€368,000

30

1954 Jaguar XK120 SE Roadster

S676340

€130,000 - 150,000

€138,000

31

1940 BMW 327 Sport Cabriolet

87268

€180,000 - 240,000

€201,250

32

2005 Ferrari 612 Scaglietti Shooting Brake

143566

€150,000 - 250,000

€207,000

33

1995 Ferrari F512M

101013

€150,000 - 180,000

€166,750

34

1980 Ferrari 512 BB

30933

€250,000 - 300,000

Not Sold

35

2005 Ferrari F430 Spider

143896

€80,000 - 90,000

€82,800

36

2010 Alfa Romeo 8C Spider

ZAR920000000
52986

€190,000 - 250,000

Not Sold

 

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