A rare Super Sport example of the EB110 supercar – the only Bugatti to be designed and built in Italy – and the forerunner to the Bugatti Chiron and Veyron – is to be offered at the prestigious Bonhams Zoute Sale on 10 October, with an estimate of €2,000,000 – 2,500,000.
Unveiled on the 110th anniversary of Ettore Bugatti’s birth, the EB110 was the first new Bugatti to be produced since 1956. It was the brainchild of Bugattiste (enthusiast and collector of the marque) Romano Artioli, who revived the brand, and was an all-Italian affair, designed by Marcello Gandini and hand built in Campogalliano in Italy’s ‘motor valley’.
Despite competition from contemporary supercars such as the McLaren F1 and Jaguar XJ220, the EB110 set four world speed records, including for the fastest series production sports car. Launched as a GT with a 500 bhp 3.5-litre engine, the second incarnation, the lighter and stronger Super Sport, followed six months later. With an output of 600 bhp and a top speed of 335km/h, the Super Sport attracted owners such as Michael Schumacher and the Sultan of Brunei, though only 30 were produced.
The 1994 Bugatti EB110 Super Sport offered was fitted with an even more powerful engine at the request of its German first owner, who also specified the dark blue interior. Having covered just 30,000 kms since new, this motor car is offered with full Bugatti service history.
Another collector’s motor car flying the Italian flag in the Bonhams saleroom is a 1969 Ferrari 365 GTC, estimate €600,000 – 700,000, considered one of the marque’s finest all-rounder grand tourers.
One of 168 produced, this GTC is offered for the first time at auction – or indeed on the open market – as it has had just one Italian family owner from new. The GTC is finished in its original colour scheme and retains its original matching numbers, with Ferrari Classiche certification pending.
The GTC will be joined by an earlier 1961 Ferrari 250 GTE 2+2 Coupé – the marque’s first production four-seater, capable of reaching speeds in excess of 230 km/h. This example was delivered new to Garage Francorchamps, the Brussels-based Ferrari dealership founded by Belgian racing driver Jacques Swaters, famous for his racing team Ecurie Francorchamps. Concours-restored with Ferrari Classiche certification, it has an estimate of €400,000 – 500,000.
Another legendary Italian marque – Lancia – is represented in Zoute by one of the world’s finest collections of its post-war models. This top-level single-owner collection with long-term ownership is led by the rarest and most sought-after variant of the flagship model – a pre-series 1959 Flaminia Sport Zagato, estimate €500,000 – 700,000, one of a mere 99 produced, featuring Lancia’s famous V6 engine and Zagato’s signature ‘double-bubble’ coachwork.
Further highlights of the sale, which offers the finest examples from the most important European marques, include a 1955 Facel Vega FV1 Cabriolet, one of only seven built (estimate €340,000 – 450,000); a 1957 AC Bristol Roadster (€280,000 – 320,000), eligible for prestigious events including Le Mans Classic, and the Mille Miglia; and a quartet of Aston Martin sports cars, led by a 1962 DB4 Series 3 Saloon (€280,000 – 340,000), all left-hand drive from new and all offered at no reserve.
The Zoute Sale returns to its traditional beach location at Place Albert de Knokke le Zoute, (by the startline for the Zoute Grand Prix), as a live auction, held in accordance with local government COVID-19 guidelines.
Entry to the sale is by catalogue only and potential bidders are requested to register in advance to ensure their place. Bids will be accepted from the sale room, in addition to online telephone and absentee bids. The auction will also be streamed live via bonhams.com and will offer enhanced video content of the lots.
Pre-sale viewing will take place from Thursday 7 until Saturday 9 October, from 08.00 – 15.00, and on the Sunday sale day from 08.00 until 14.00 when the auction starts.
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