Following an accident in Finland, the car remained in an unrepaired state for 60 years. In 1989 it was
discovered by a German collector, Hans Schaeffer, who fully restored the 630K over a number of years and
then entered it into various classic car events. The current owner picked up the baton, competing in the
2007 Mille Miglia Storica and the Internationale Osterreichische Alpenfahrt where it was well received as an
original competitor.
Another historic challenger is a 1958 Peerless GT Sports Saloon (estimate €40,000 – 60,000) a
four-seater (2+2) Italianate GT, a rare left-hand drive example with a race-prepared Triumph TR3 engine,
which is eligible for the Goodwood Revival and Le Mans Classic, scene of where a solitary Peerless finished
16thoverall in the 1958 Le Mans 24 Hours Race.
A 1933 MG J2 Supercharged Sports Roadster (estimate €60,000 – 70,000), one of the most sought-after
pre-war MG sports cars and a lightweight, narrow and rapid car for its time, is also a contender for rallying
or touring. This example was fully restored in 1999, with a new ash frame and re-trimmed green leather
interior, complementing the traditional motor sport livery of British Racing Green.
For those who prefer the concours lawn to the rally course, the 1938 Peugeot 402 Légère ‘Darl’Mat’
Roadster (estimate €170,000 – 200,000) would be the perfect option. This elegant convertible was rebodied
in the style of the exclusive series of streamlined Peugeots created by designer Paulin for the Darl’Mat
coachbuilders and was recently professionally restored to the highest standard.
The Autoworld Autumn Sale, a new date on the Bonhams’ European motoring calendar, will offer a curated
selection of 70 collectors’ motor cars, many fresh from Belgian collections, representing a diverse
representation of automotive eras and fashions, with other highlights including:
Jaguar XK SS 3.8-litre XK SS Re-creation, estimate €250,000 – 350,000
The first of nine highly esteemed alloy XK SS re-creations produced by the Lynx engineering company in
the 1980s as an homage to one of Jaguar’s rarest models, the road-version of the legendary D-type, of
which only 16 examples were built. Finished in British Racing Green, offset by competition wheels, the
Lynx was completely overhauled in the early/mid-2000s.
1956 Facel Vega FV2 Coupé, estimate €125,000 – 155,000
Rival only to the Rolls-Royce, in terms of cost, devotees of the Franco-American Facel Vega grand
routières included Sir Stirling Moss and Ava Gardner. This FV2, one of only 30 made, features the marque’s
famous handpainted faux-burr walnut dashboard, a wrap-around windscreen and a period-look RetroSound
Model Two radio.
1959 Cadillac Series 62 Convertible, estimate €70,000 – 100,000
This magnificent example representing the zenith of Cadillac’s ‘tail fin’ era is offered with its original red
leather interior and period ‘juke box’ dashboard and chrome trim. A Belgian car from new, the Cadillac has
had only three owners, including Thierry Culliford, Belgian comic writer and son of ‘Peyo’, creator of ‘The
Smurfs’, who has continued his father’s legacy since the 1980s.
A mini collection of mid-century mini and micro-cars which found favour from the late 50s for their
practicality and frugality, including a restored 1959 Fiat 600 Multipla, one of the first ever ‘people carriers’
designed to accommodate a driver and five passengers (estimate €30,000 – 50,000); an even more
diminutive 1958 BMW Isetta 300 Microcar (€25,000 – 30,000) and a c.1968 Fiat 500 TV Giannini, a
performance-enhanced version of the Italian people’s car, (estimate €25,000 – 35,000).
Staged in partnership with Autoworld Brussels, the internationally renowned motoring museum, the
Bonhams sale has been designed to accommodate social distancing requirements. The auction will be held
in accordance with government guidance at the time, with limited public admission by prior appointment.
The auction itself will take place as a live behind-closed-doors sale using Bonhams state-of-the-art online
bidding platform, assisted by telephone bidding, with as close as possible an experience to a traditional
Bonhams motor car auction. Viewing in person will be available by appointment at the museum.
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