A highly-desirable 1965 Ferrari 275 GTB Alloy 'long nose' was the top lot, selling for a total of €2,875,000 (US$3,174,033), in today's Bonhams Zoute Sale, at the 10th edition of the Zoute Grand Prix, leading a pack of FIVE Ferraris dominating the top ten lots of the sale which realised a total of more than €10.6 million (US$11,700,000) – setting a record for the auction house at Zoute.
One of only 60 'long-nose' examples produced with an alloy body, the 275 GTB, finished in 'rosso chiaro' with blue interior, was previously owned for some 10 years by Gregory Noblet, son of Ferrari privateer driver and 'gentleman racer' Pierre Noblet, who, together with Jean Guichet, was on the podium at the Le Mans 24 Hours in 1962 (3rd) and 1963 (2nd) in a 250 GTO.
Noblet Junior enjoyed similar success with the 275 GTB in historic racing motor sports events, picking up various podium finishes in the Biennial Le Mans Classic. The car also led the 50th anniversary 250 GTO Tour, the only 275 GTB to be invited to this celebrated event.
The buyer, who was present in the packed saleroom, fought a hard-won bidding battle for the Ferrari – his second of the afternoon, having earlier, by contrast, successfully bid for a Citroen 2CV Sahara!
Meanwhile a younger 'sibling' from the Maranello stable, a 2004 Ferrari Enzo sold to a European bidder in the room for €1,506,500 (and subject to EU import taxes) taking the second spot in the collector's motor cars auction. The pristine example of only 400 'instant classic supercars' which had covered fewer than 27,000 kilometres from new. The three other modern Maranello marvels which featured in the top ten of today's sale were:
• 1989 F40 Berlinetta, which sold for €920,000
• 2016 F12tdf, delivered new to Belgium, which achieved €747,500
• 1980 512 BB Coupé which sold for €253,000
Philip Kantor, Bonhams Head of European Motoring, said: "The allure of the prancing horse is always powerful at Zoute, which has been proven by today's results.
The buyers and collectors here are most discerning and so it natural that they appreciated the exceptional quality of the cars on offer today."
1957 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster, sold for €1,035,000
Another popular marque making a strong showing today was Mercedes-Benz, represented in the top ten by one of its most desirable classic models, the 300 SL Roadster. The exceptional 1957 'concours-standard' example of the 'jet set' favourite sold today for €1,035,000, while a majestic 1971 280 SE 'Flachkühler' Cabriolet found a new owner for €330,000.
Other Bonhams Zoute Sale highlights include:
• 1974 Lancia Stratos HF Stradale Coupé which sold for €402,500
• 1964 OSCA 1600 GT 'Double Bubble' which achieved €379,500
• 1958 AC Ace-Bristol Roadster, which sold for €281,750
