For the fourth time, classic car enthusiasts gathered in the Belgian seaside town of Knokke-Heist for the Zoute Grand Prix on the weekend of October 10-13, 2013.
Over 100,000 visitors were able to enjoy the sight of hundreds of classic cars, exclusive racing cars and renowned car brands in the heart of Het Zoute.
The program of the event consisted of a rally, a Concours d'Elégance and the Bonahms auction, as well as a brand exhibition and a "GT Tour".
Fully booked rally
On Friday, October 11 and Saturday, October 12, 165 historic vehicles gathered in Knokke-Heist for the Zoute Rally. As in previous years, this was the maximum number of participants. The spectrum of vehicles was wide and ranged from Porsche 356s, Austin-Healeys, Jaguar XKs, Mercedes Benz 190SL/300SLs to Aston Martin DB 4 GTs, BMW 507s and Ford Thunderbirds. Highlights included a Cisitalia 202 SMM Nuvolari Spider from 1947 and a Packard 734 Boattail Roadster from 1930. Around 20 classic cars represented the pre-war era, including vehicles from Wanderer, Delage, Invicta, Bugatti and Lagonda.
The technical inspection of the participating cars took place one day before the start. All classic cars underwent a thorough technical inspection between 9 am and 5 pm. This involved checking that all parts were authentic and that the cars met the strict safety regulations. The public was able to follow the BFOV inspection from the Zeedijk Het Zoute.
The starting signal for the rally was given on Friday, October 11 at the Albertplein (Zeedijk Het Zoute) in wet conditions. Between 8.30 and 11 a.m., the participants in the regularity classification and the 'walkers' took turns to drive off. The vehicles were sent off in order of year of construction, so the oldest classic cars were given priority. The 'fun drivers' and the regularity teams, which included Jochen Mass and Derek Bell, did not follow exactly the same route, but always stayed in the same region.
Flying quarter mile
The rally participants also had to complete a "flying quarter mile" speed test en route.
This test took place from 3 to 6 p.m. on the Elizabetlaan in Heist between the Willemspark and the Heldenplein. The public was able to watch the competition from the Graaf d'Ursellaan, which was situated parallel to the competition. All participants arrived at the Albertplein in Knokke Het Zoute between 4 and 6 pm.
Second day with half-mile stage
On the second day of the rally, the cars again took it in turns to drive through the hinterland on the Albertplein (Het Zoute) between 8:30 am and 11 am in much better weather conditions.
At midday, the participants in the regularity classification had to pass a skill test over a distance of half a mile on the historic Wellington racetrack in Ostend and maintain an average speed of 50 km/h if possible.
They were then able to start the return journey to Knokke-Heist. The 'strollers' followed a shorter but equally picturesque route in the same region. All the cars arrived back at the Albertplein (Het Zoute) between 4 and 6.30 pm.
Porsche dominance in the rally classification
On Saturday evening, the winners were celebrated at the gala dinner in the renowned Royal Zoute Golf Club. The duo Vynckier/Gitsels in a Porsche 356 SC Cabrio (1965) were announced as the winners of the Zoute Rally. They were the best in both the overall and post-war categories. In the pre-war category, the top prize went to the driver duo Martens/Pyck with an Alvis Firefly Special from 1932. Thevelin/Godeau secured victory in the drive category with a Porsche 356 SC Cabrio (1964), and the Ladies Trophy went to Despiegelaere/Descamps with a Jaguar E-Type Series I from 1962.
Maserati Boomerang dominates the Concours d'Elégance
On Sunday, October 13, Fairway 1 of the Royal Zoute Golf Club was the backdrop for the Zoute Concours d'Elégance. For this beauty contest, 45 exclusive cars, divided into a pre-war and post-war category, were selected by the organizing committee. The unique cars were presented to and judged by an internationally renowned jury of experts under the supervision of Philip Kantor from Bonhams between 9.30 a.m. and 12 noon.
The weather did not play along on Sunday, some of the exhibited gems had probably not seen so much rain for years. A pity, because the field of 45 vehicles featured some sensational rarities, including a Porsche 917, a Ferrari 512 M, a Bentley Continental R-Type Fastback Mulliner Sports Saloon and a Ferrari 250 Europa by Pininfarina and a whole series of Porsche 911s.
The judging was followed by the awards ceremony at midday, at which the impressive Talbot-Lago T150C Pourtout Special Roadster was left empty-handed despite its breathtaking design, as observers were astonished to note.
The category winners at the Concours d'Elégance
- Class A: Pre-War Open Cars:
Packard 734 Speedster from 1930 - Chassis NO. 184006 - Class B: Most elegant Pre-War:
Lagonda V12 Drophead Coupe 'Works' Demonstrator from 1938 - Chassis NO. 14029 - Class C: Post War Open Cars:
Aston Martin DB4 Series V from 1963 - Chassis NO. DB4C/1100/L - Class D: Most Elegant Post-War Cars:
Ferrari 250 Europa Coupé Pininfarina from 1952 - Chassis NO. 0305 EU
The winners of the awards at the Concours d'Elégance
- Best in Show (Jury Prize):
Maserati Boomerang 1972 - Chassis NO. 081 - Most special and unique bodywork:
Fiat 8V Tipo Mille Miglia Vignale from 1953 - Chassis NO. 0051 - Best Preserved Car (Jury Prize):
Fiat 8V Berlinetta Rapi 1954 - Chassis NO. 100 - Most Original Car:
Bugatti Type 57 C Special Coupe Ex-Bill Howell from 1936 - Chassis NO. 57335 - Best Interior:
Bugatti Type 57 Gangloff from 1937 - Chassis NO. 57546 - Most Creative Design:
Maserati Boomerang from 1972 - Chassis NO. 081 - Most Exciting Design:
Porsche 'Prototype' 917 from 1970 - Chassis NO. 021 - Most Iconic Car:
Bentley Continental R-Type Fastback Sports Saloon By H.J. Mulliner & Co. from 1952 - Chassis NO. BC7A - Most Elegant Car:
Bentley 4.1/4-Litre Drophead Coupé from 1936 - Chassis NO. B90GA - Most Sensitive Restoration:
Bugatti Type 57C Atlante from 1938 - Chassis NO. 57570 - 70's Racing Legends:
Ferrari 512 M from 1970 - Ex-Ecurie Francorchamps - Chassis NO. 1030 - The Art of Design:
Lancia Aurelia Spider America B24S from 1955 - Chassis NO. B24S-1148 - The Iconic Porsche 911 at Fifty Years:
Porsche 911 RS 2.7 from 1973 - Chassis NO. 911 360 1430
A separate report has already been published on the Bonhams auction, which took place on October 11, 2013 in the VIP tent on Albertplein.
The next edition of the Zoute Grand Prix will take place in Knokke-Heist from Thursday, October 9 through Sunday, October 12, 2014.
Participants in the Zoute Grand Prix Concours d'Elégance
The following list shows the participants registered for the Concours d'Elégance. The rows can be sorted by clicking on the column headings.
| No. | Vehicle | Year | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mercedes-Benz 710 SSK | 1928 | |
| 2 | Packard 734 Speedster | 1930 | Chassis no. 184006 |
| 3 | Pierce Arrow V12 Convertible Sedan Le Baron | 1933 | Chassis no. 355091 |
| 4 | Lagonda M45 'Rapide' ex-works Monte Carlo Rally car | 1935 | Chassis no. Z11134 |
| 5 | Alvis Speed 25 SB Vanden Plas 'Continental ' Sports Tourer | 1936 | Chassis no. 14360 |
| 6 | Bentley 41⁄4-Litre Drophead Coupé | 1936 | Chassis no. B90GA |
| 7 | Bugatti Type 57 C Special Coupe Ex- Bill Howell | 1936 | Chassis no. 57335 |
| 8 | Bugatti Type 57 C Special Coupe Ex-Ettore Bugatti works test car | 1936 | Chassis no 57335 |
| 9 | Bugatti Type 57 Gangloff | 1937 | Chassis no. 57546 |
| 10 | Bugatti Type 57C Atlante | 1938 | Chassis no. 57570 |
| 11 | Lagonda V12 Drophead coupe 'works' demonstrator | 1938 | Chassis no.14029 |
| 12 | Talbot Lago 150 C Special Roadster | 1938 | Chassis no. 90020 |
| 13 | Wanderer W25K | 1938 | Chassis no. 180134 - coachwork by Bauro. 57335 |
| 14 | Rolls Royce Wraith | 1939 | Chassis no. WXA106 |
| 15 | HRG 'works' Le Mans team car | 1948 | Chassis no. W.80 |
| 16 | Jaguar XK120 OTS | 1950 | Chassis no. 670 224 |
| 17 | Bentley Continental R-Type Fastback Sports Saloon by H.J. Mulliner & Co. | 1952 | Chassis no. BC7A |
| 18 | Ferrari 225 Inter Europa Coupe Vignale | 1952 | Chassis no. 0223 EL |
| 19 | Ferrari 250 Europa coupe by Pininfarina | 1952 | Chassis no. 0305 EU |
| 20 | Fiat 8V Tipo Mille Miglia by Vignale | 1953 | Chassis no. 0051 |
| 21 | Buick Skylark Convertible | 1954 | |
| 22 | Fiat 8V Berlinetta Rapi | 1954 | Chassis no. 100 |
| 24 | HRG Emperor | 1954 | Chassis no. FRL001 |
| 25 | Lancia Aurelia Spider America B24S | 1955 | Chassis no. B24S-1148 |
| AC ACE | 1956 | Chassis no. AEX 123 | |
| 27 | Fiat 1100 Sport TV Boano Giannini | 1956 | Chassis no. 218364 |
| 28 | Aston Martin DB4 Series 1 | 1959 | Chassis no. DB4/161/L |
| 29 | Aston Martin DB4 Series V | 1963 | Chassis no. DB4C/1100/L |
| 30 | Mercedes 300 SE Rally car | 1963 | Chassis no. 004612 |
| 31 | Aston Martin DB5 | 1964 | Chassis no. DB5/1755/L |
| 32 | AC 428 / Frua | 1968 | Chassis no. 7A301 |
| 33 | Ferrari 512 M | 1970 | Chassis no. 1030 ex-Ecurie Francorchamps 34. 1970 - Porsche 'Prototype' 917 - Chassis no. 021 |
| 35 | Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona | 1971 | Chassis no. 14693 |
| 36 | Maserati Boomerang | 1972 | Chassis no. 081 |
| 37 | Porsche 911 ST | 1972 | Chassis No. 911 230 0987 Ex-Wilhelm Bartels |
| 38 | Porsche 911 RS 2.7 | 1973 | Chassis no. 911 360 1430 |
| 39 | Porsche 911 Carrera RS 3.0 | 1974 | Chassis no. 911 460 9047 |
| 40 | Porsche 911 SCRS (type 954) | 1984 | Chassis no. 0012 |
| 41 | Aston Martin V8 Volante | 1988 | |
| 42 | Porsche 964 3.8 RSR | 1993 | Chassis no. 496105 |
| 43 | Bentley 4 1⁄4 liter | 1939 | Chassis no. B-90-KT |
| 44 | Lancia Flaminia Sport Zagato | 1963 | Chassis no. 824.13.3645 |
