Bonhams Zoute Sale to offer up convertibles and coupes on the Belgian beach

Bonhams - A clutch of classic convertibles, celebrating more than 80 years of luxurious top-down motoring, are among the early consignments to Bonhams Zoute Sale, with its traditional beachside location at the Belgian resort of Knokke-Heist providing the perfect backdrop on October 9th.

Leading the parade of stunning soft tops is a sixties siren – an original left-hand drive and matching numbers 1962 Aston Martin DB4 SERIE IV Cabriolet with hardtop,coachwork by Touring Superleggera.

The DB4 heralded a new era for Aston Martin, with its Italian styling and supercar performance. The convertible is one of the rarest production models, with only 70 produced in three years. One of only 14 left-hand drive Series IV examples built, Chassis DB4C/1069/L offered here comes with a rare hardtop and retains its original Dubonnet Rosso colour scheme, almost certainly the only one to have been delivered with these specifications.

Next up is a stylish sixties coupé which put Lamborghini on the map: a 1968 Lamborghini Miura P400, offered without reserve. This example was completed in October 1968 as a late P400 with reinforced chassis and delivered new to Italy, later making its way across the Atlantic. By 1985 the Miura was in the care of Mr. Allen Lawrence Klopp, an engineer by training. Retaining its original colour scheme of ‘Bleu Miura’ over Gobi (beige) the Lamborghini remains largely original, having been subject to a partial restoration carried out from 1985-87. In Klopp’s care, the Miura averaged around 1,000 miles per year. In 2006, the Miura was sold to a private collection where it has remained before its arrival at Bonhams Zoute sale.

In the slipstream of the Aston is a post-war masterpiece, 1948 Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 Super Sport Cabriolet enjoying its public debut at the sale.

The ultimate variant of Alfa’s luxury model, the Super Sport or SS featured the archetypal flowing lines of its Pinin Farina design as well as state of the art engineering including independent suspension. Its potent power output of 110hp also helped it claim victory in the 1937 Mille Miglia and later in the 1950 Targa Florio.

The exclusive cabriolets, of which only 63 were produced post-war, were beloved by the glitterati of the day, with one starring alongside Ava Gardner and Humphrey Bogart in the motion picture The Barefoot Contessa.

Never seen publicly before, this matching numbers example is believed to be the only one finished in the Verde Petrolio over tan colour scheme. It would be welcome at the most prestigious Concours d’Élégance such as Villa d’Este or the Zoute Concours, as well as the Mille Miglia Storica and other international events.

Also representing ‘la dolce vita’ of Italian motoring is a 1957 Lancia Aurelia B24S Cabriolet, one of the marque’s most notable models and one of the most desirable classic convertibles. Like its compatriot, the Aurelia was styled by Pinin Farina and was beloved by the film industry, driven by the likes of Brigitte Bardot and featuring in the Italian film The Easy Life.

The B24S Cabriolet car is presented in a handsome dark grey over complementary burgundy and features a desirable hardtop that has been cherished by the vendor for more than 10 years.

Even more exotic is the 1958 Porsche 356 Zagato Speedster bodied by Zagato in 2016 as part of a bespoke and exclusive ‘Sanction Lost’ program. Only nine of these cars were built by the Zagato factory following the old drawings of the original 1950s car. This special Speedster is road registered in Belgium and features eye-catching dark red fintails.

A matching numbers 1939 BMW 327/28 Cabriolet presented in a striking two-tone livery and restored to concours standard.

1967 Porsche 911 2.0S Softwindow Targa, extensively restored and presented in its original desirable color scheme of Bahama Yellow.

Original left-hand drive and matching numbers 1958 AC Bristol Roadster, the landmark British sportscar.

The all-American Cadillac De Ville dates from 1959, the year that Asterix the Gaul, the world-renowned cartoon creation of its previous owner Albert Uderzo, made his first appearance. The Convertible was kept in Uderzo’s collection, at one point in his sitting-room and was restored for him by Carrosserie Lecocq in Paris - the top name in restoration in France.

Fast forwarding to the 21st century, a great number of sought-after modern collectors’ cars such as Maybachs, Rolls Royces, and Mercedes-Benz  - including a SLR McLaren Roadster 722 Edition -   all with delivery mileage, will be offered without reserve.

The Bonhams Zoute Sale will be staged as part of the Zoute Grand Prix in Knokke-Heist, with the saleroom located on the beach opposite the Albertplein square.  

Viewing will open from Thursday, October 6 until the sale itself at 2pm on Sunday, October 9.

Sale: The Zoute Sale
Location: Knokke-Heist, Place Albert de Knokke le Zoute - Belgium
Date:  Sunday, October 9, 2022

Further selected consignments of important classic and collector cars are still being invited. Please contact eurocars@bonhams.com.

Bonhams, founded in 1793, is one of the world's largest and most renowned auctioneers, offering fine art and collectables, motor cars and a luxury division, including jewelry, watches, wine and whisky. The main salesrooms are in London, New York, Los Angeles, Paris and Hong Kong, with auctions also held in Knightsbridge, Edinburgh, and Sydney. With a worldwide network of offices and regional representatives in 22 countries, Bonhams offers advice and valuation services in 53 specialist areas. For a full list of forthcoming auctions, plus details of Bonhams specialist departments, please visit bonhams.com

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