KNOKKE-LE-ZOUTE.- Held on October 10th in the picturesque Belgian seaside resort of Knokke-Le-Zoute, the Bonhams sale will be held in conjunction with the Zoute Grand Prix Rally and Concours d’Elegance, taking place from the 9th - 13th October.

Once owned by Formula One star Nigel Mansell, the British racing drivers 1989 Ferrari F40 is a highlight of the sale, estimated at €600,000-800,000 (£480,000-640,000). The F40 is one of four offerings from the Italian stable, sitting alongside a 1972 Ferrari 365GTC/4 Berlinetta (€240,000-280,000/£190,700-223,000), and a 1973 Ferrari Dino 246GT Coupé that has remained in the same private ownership for 23 years (€310,000-360,000/ £246,000-286,000). The final offering from Ferrari is particularly unusual – from former racing driver Jacques Swaters collection, a one-of-a-kind compressed Ferrari 360 Modena table, designed by Roberto Bernadi. The table features the compressed remains of a written-off and irreparable blue metallic Ferrari 360 Modena, topped by a sheet of glass to form a coffee table, carrying an estimate of €12,000-18,000 (£9,500-14,200).

A brace of Bentleys adds British luxury engineering to the event, with a 1987 Bentley Continental Convertible (€40,000-60,000/£32,000-48,000) and from the T-Series, a 1970 Bentley T1, estimated at €15,000-20,000 (£12,000-16,000). Another British offering is the 1961 Aston Martin DB4 ‘Series 3’ Sports Saloon. The DB4 marked a major turning point for Aston Martin, as the first car of the David Brown era which neither used a chassis derived from the experimental Atom of 1939 nor an engine designed by W. O. Bentley – estimated at €550,000-650,000 (£433,000-512,000).

Elsewhere from the Italian marques, a 1959 Lancia Aurelia B24S Convertible. Formerly the property of Belgian polar explorer Gaston de Gerlache, the stylish black convertible is in excellent condition, offered at an estimate of €350,000-400,000 (£278,000-318,000). Further Lancia highlights include a striking Zagato-bodied 1965 Flaminia Super Sport 2.8-Litre 3C ‘Double Bubble’ Coupé (€225,000-275,000/£179,000-219,000); a 1971 Lancia Fulvia HF1600 Coupé (€25,000-35,000/£19,700-27,600); an exceptionally restored Mille Miglia eligible 1954 Lancia Aurelia B20 GT 4th Series €130,000-160,000 (£102,400-126,000), and the earliest motor car featured in the sale, a 1933 Lancia Astura 2nd Series Drophead Coupé (€120,000-140,000/£94,500-110,200).

As Maserati celebrates its centenary year, the Zoute sale will pay tribute by showcasing two of its classic models from 1969 - a Maserati Sebring 3700 Coupé €150,000-200,000(£118,100-157,400) and a Maserati Mexico 4.7-Litre Coupé (€60,000-80,000/£47,250-63,000).

Other sale highlights include a 1973 Mercedes-Benz 600 Pullman Limousine (€100,000-140,000/); one of the all-time great sports cars, a 1961 Porsche 356 1600 Cabriolet (€110,000-140,000/£79,500 111,000); a 1984 Lamborghini Countach 5000 S Coupé (300,000-350,000/£236,200-275,600); and ready to drive or sail, an unusual 1964 Amphicar 770 in unmodified original specification - complete with life jackets.

Philip Kantor, Bonhams Head of European Motoring, said: "We have an interesting selection available from across the European motoring marques. After the success of last years inaugural Zoute sale, this year we offer forty motor cars, and expect that many keen bidders will be attending this highly anticipated motoring event."