The Cadillac in which King Boudewijn, Belgian head of state from 1950 to 1993, made his ‘triumphal entries’ in the early 1950s is set to go under the hammer at the Zoute Grand Prix in Knokke-Heist (West Flanders). The current owner’s family bought it in the mid-1970s for 2,500 Belgian francs, equivalent to a good 60 euros. It is expected to fetch between 40,000 and 70,000 euros.
During the Zoute Grand Prix, the classic and luxury car event in Knokke-Heist, a very special car will be auctioned: the Cadillac Series 62 Convertible in which King Boudewijn was often driven in parades in the early 1950s. The King of Belgians was still in his early twenties at the time. The car has less than 55,000 kilometres on the clock and is fitted with holders at the front for inserting flags.
Value multiplied by 1,000
The current owner’s family bought the Cadillac from another collector in 1976. The original invoice, which is still with the car, shows a price of 2,500 Belgian francs. That is equivalent to just over 60 euros. Broad Arrow Auction House estimates that it will now fetch 1,000 times that amount, roughly speaking.
The auction will take place on Friday 9 October, but the car will be on display two days beforehand.