A one-off Volkswagen-powered BMW M5 prototype once used by Ferdinand Piëch, a remarkably original Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing and a Bentley Mulsanne prepared for Queen Elizabeth II are among the headline cars heading to Broad Arrow’s Zoute sales in October.
Broad Arrow Auctions will return to Belgium for its second Zoute Concours Auction on 9 October, alongside its Global Icons: Zoute Online sale, which runs from 5-14 October.
The collection brings together everything from experimental engineering and royal provenance to motorsport transporters, coachbuilt classics and modern interpretations of rallying legends.
“Collector cars come in all shapes and sizes and from all eras,” said Philip Kantor, Vice Chairman of Europe and Senior Car Specialist at Broad Arrow Auctions.
“Often it is the story behind a car that significantly enhances its desirability, and at the Zoute Concours Auction and Global Icons Online sale, we are proud to be presenting a selection of cars with remarkable provenance.”
Ferdinand Piëch’s extraordinary W10 BMW M5
Arguably the most intriguing car in the sale is a 2000 BMW M5 fitted with Volkswagen’s experimental W10 engine.
The project was developed under former Volkswagen Group chairman Ferdinand Piëch as the company explored the possibility of creating a rival to BMW’s E39-generation M5.
Volkswagen expanded its VR engine concept into a 5.0-litre W10 producing 473hp and 592Nm, before installing it in the BMW.
Piëch subsequently used the prototype as his personal car during testing.
Only three W10 engines were produced. One remains in Germany, another is included in the auction as a standalone engine and the third remains under the bonnet of the M5.
The secretive development programme is believed to have cost around €2 million before being abandoned, although its engineering ultimately helped pave the way for the W16 architecture later used in the Bugatti Veyron.
Finished in Carbon Black Metallic with a black leather interior, the unique M5 is estimated at €250,000-€350,000.
Original Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing
Another major highlight is a 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing Coupé estimated at €1.7 million-€2 million.
Only 1,400 Gullwing Coupés were produced, but this matching-numbers example stands out for its originality and extensive documented history.
Delivered new through Mercedes-Benz’s Swiss importer, its earliest recorded owner was Hans Huwyler, owner of Touring Garage in Lenzburg.
Finished in medium green with plaid seat inserts, the car remained with the Huwyler family for almost half a century and comes with two original logbooks recording its mileage back to 1968.
It also features desirable NSL camshafts and Rudge wheels, together with rare Swiss-market additions including a dual-point distributor and a specially shrouded radiator designed to improve cold starting.
Since 2006, the Gullwing has belonged to noted Mercedes-Benz 300 SL specialist Ben Valkenburg.
Porsche Renntransporter recreated
Motorsport history is represented by a 1974 Mercedes-Benz O 317 Porsche Renntransporter Tribute, estimated at €500,000-€700,000.
Porsche originally commissioned three O 317-based transporters during the 1960s to carry its factory competition cars around Europe. Only two originals survive.
This recreation uses a genuine O 317 chassis and was commissioned by a racing driver seeking a period-correct transporter for a 1965 Porsche 911 race car.
It features new aluminium body panels, a refurbished interior and an extensively rebuilt 10.8-litre OM 346.911 straight-six diesel engine.
The transporter will be offered through the Global Icons: Zoute Online sale.
Queen Elizabeth II’s Bentley Mulsanne
Royal provenance comes courtesy of a 2016 Bentley Mulsanne Extended Wheelbase formerly used by Queen Elizabeth II.
One of two produced, the Mulsanne was prepared by Bentley’s Press and Special Vehicles Department and features a bespoke Twine and Cumbrian Green leather interior, along with rear privacy curtains.
The other example was returned to Bentley’s Heritage Department.
The car has subsequently received the Bentley Drivers Club Trophy at the Hampton Court Concours of Elegance and is estimated at €400,000-€450,000.
Also carrying royal history is a 1951 Cadillac Series 62 Convertible formerly owned by King Baudouin of Belgium. Finished in black over tan, it has remained with the same family since 1976 and will be offered without reserve with an estimate of €40,000-€70,000.
Pete Sampras’ BMW Z8 joins the sale
Another famous former owner is seven-time Wimbledon champion Pete Sampras, whose 2000 BMW Z8 will cross the block.
One of 667 black-on-black examples produced, the US-specification Z8 remained with Sampras from new until 2015.
It was subsequently imported to Europe and has covered only around 200 kilometres since, with its total mileage standing at 3,933 miles.
Broad Arrow estimates the car at €250,000-€350,000.
Reimagined Lancia legends
Two modern interpretations of classic Lancias also feature in the Zoute Concours Auction.
A 1976 Lancia Kimera EVO037 is one of only 27 examples produced. Completed in early 2025 and finished in Kimera Luci del Bosco, its 2.1-litre four-cylinder engine can propel the car from 0-100km/h in three seconds and on to a claimed 310km/h.
It carries an estimate of €950,000-€1.15 million.
Joining it is a 1991 Lancia Delta Integrale Futurista by Automobili Amos. One of 20 produced, the Blu Lord example combines aluminium and carbon-fibre bodywork with a 296hp 2.0-litre turbocharged engine and has covered only 1,700km since its transformation.
Its estimate is €325,000-€425,000.
Coachbuilt classics complete the collection
Among the more traditional classics is an exceptionally rare 1957 Fiat 1100 TV Coupé Printemps by Vignale.
Styled by Giovanni Michelotti and bodied by Carrozzeria Vignale, the two-tone ivory and dark blue coupé underwent a comprehensive restoration before appearing at the 2006 Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este. It is estimated at €160,000-€175,000.
A 1966 Citroën DS 21 Cabriolet Palm Beach by Chapron, estimated at €180,000-€220,000, provides another example of specialist European coachbuilding.
For something considerably more utilitarian, the Global Icons online sale includes a restored 1979 Fiat 238 E Panorama nine-seat bus, offered without reserve at €15,000-€20,000.
Meanwhile, a restored 1979 three-door Range Rover Suffix F finished in Bahama Gold will be offered at the Zoute Concours Auction. Delivered new to France and driven only 1,215km since its ground-up restoration in 2015, it is estimated at €85,000-€105,000 and will also be offered without reserve.
“Our first Zoute Concours Auction was a great success in 2025 and the selection of cars for our second visit to Zoute Grand Prix Week is perhaps even more exciting,” said Gregory Tuytens, Head of Consignments for Belgium and The Netherlands at Broad Arrow Auctions.
“We are looking forward to welcoming both buyers and sellers to Knokke-Heist to share in what will be a wonderful atmosphere with some truly exceptional cars you won’t find anywhere else.”
The Broad Arrow Zoute Concours Auction takes place at Approach Golf in Knokke-Heist, Belgium, on 9 October, in collaboration with Zoute Grand Prix Car Week. Global Icons: Zoute Online will be open for bidding from 5-14 October.
- Interested further and to register you can visit the Broad Arrow Auctions website here: https://www.broadarrowauctions.com/
