A 1989 Ferrari F40 originally owned by 1992 Formula 1 World Champion Nigel Mansell fetched over half a million pounds at Bonhams' Zoute sale in Belgium on 10 October.
The hammer finally came down on Mansell's Ferrari at €690,000 (£543,375), the highest price achieved at the €3.8m (£2.9m) sale.
Mansell received the car as a gift from Maranello after signing for the Italian team for the 1989 Formula 1 season, but returned to Williams after just a year, subsequently selling the F40. Though he only owned the Ferrari for a short time, its history file included a copy of the Isle of Man registration book detailing the F1 driver's personalised registration plate, plus the original Calais-Dover hovercraft shipping receipt.
A 1984 Lamborghini Countach 5000S also created a stir, selling for €333,500 (£262,631). The car was originally delivered to a dealership in Rome before later travelling to America. It received an engine rebuild in 2009 at a cost of more than €55,000, while the exterior was resprayed to the tune of €15,600.
Rounding up the top sellers was a stunning Zagato-bodied Lancia Flaminia Super Sport with a double-bubble roof. The 1965 car sold for €299,000 (£235,462) and is one of just 187 examples built.
Just as remarkable – though much smaller – was a half-scale replica of an Alfa Romeo 8C Monza. Incredibly, the car smashed expectations to sell for more than 10 times its pre-sale upper estimate, eventually finding a new home after fierce bidding for €31,625 (£24,942).
A 1964 Amphicar 770 also drew a lot of attention. It sold for €46,000 (£36,279), a testament to the recent overhaul it received from its previous owner.
A handsome 1966 Jaguar FT Bertone 420 Coupé prototype – one of just two examples built – sold for €59,800 (£47,163). The car was displayed at the 1966 Geneva Motor Show and was offered in unrestored condition, still sporting its original leather interior and paintwork.
Also offering a taste of the unusual – this time for a budget price – was a 1954 Fiat 500C Topolino Belvedere, which sold for just €5520 (£4353). The car, which had been in the vendor's ownership for more than 25 years, was surely the bargain of the sale.
