King Boudewijn’s Cadillac Heads to Auction in Knokke-Heist
A 1951 Cadillac Series 62 Convertible once used by King Boudewijn of Belgium for his ceremonial Joyous Entries will go under the hammer at the Zoute Concours Auction in Knokke-Heist on 9 October. The car, purchased by its current owners’ family in 1976 for just 2,500 Belgian francs (approximately €60), is expected to fetch between €40,000 and €70,000, according to VRT NWS.
The vehicle was delivered new to the Belgian royal household specifically for King Boudewijn, who took delivery in 1952 shortly after his coronation. The young monarch, who ascended the throne on 17 July 1951 at just 20 years old following his father Leopold III’s abdication, used the Cadillac during his Blijde Intredes (Joyous Entries) — traditional ceremonial visits across Belgium that helped establish his legitimacy as the country’s fifth king.
A Royal Journey from New York to Brussels
The Cadillac left New York on 11 September 1951, destined for General Motors Continental S.A. in Antwerp — arriving in Belgium just two months after Boudewijn became king. Equipped with flag holders on its imposing bonnet, the convertible was used during Joyous Entries in Liège, Namur and Brussels in 1952, and in Hasselt in 1953. Historical photographs confirm its use in Bruges on 31 May 1953, as documented by Erfgoed Brugge.
An ownership document from December 1954 lists the Palais der Academien in Brussels — adjacent to the Royal Palace — as the registered address, with the Liste Civile recorded as the first Belgian registrant, confirming the vehicle’s official royal fleet status.
From Royal Fleet to Family Treasure
In 1976, the family of the current owner purchased the Cadillac from another collector. The original invoice, still with the car, records the price of 2,500 Belgian francs — just over €60. The vehicle has remained within the same family for approximately 50 years and shows less than 55,000 kilometres on the odometer.
“What makes this Cadillac Series 62 Convertible so special is that it was delivered new to the Belgian royal household, specifically for King Boudewijn,” said Gregory Tuytens of auction house Broad Arrow, as reported by HLN. “He took delivery in 1952, shortly after his coronation.”
Tuytens explained why the family has decided to part with the vehicle now: “We see this more often when cars have been within the same family for a long time. The owners are getting on in years, their children and grandchildren don’t have the same affinity with the car. We actually didn’t know anymore that this car still existed, so for us it was also a tremendously fun find.”
A Remarkable Return on Investment
The auction house estimates the car will sell for between €40,000 and €70,000 — representing a 600 to 1,000-fold increase over its 1976 purchase price. However, Tuytens is measured about the valuation. “If you look at it that way, it is indeed a significant increase. Of course, 2,500 francs was also a substantial amount back then,” he said. “So I think our estimate is still fairly realistic. It’s the price of a regular Cadillac Series 62. We hope for a serious premium because the car belonged to King Boudewijn.”
The car will be offered without a minimum or reserve price, which could attract significant bidding interest. The third-generation Cadillac Series 62, launched in 1948, was among the brand’s first entirely new post-war designs, prized by collectors for its elegant proportions, imposing presence and distinctive tailfins, as The Brussels Times noted.
The Zoute Grand Prix Stage
The auction takes place during the Zoute Grand Prix Car Week (7-11 October 2026), one of Europe’s most prestigious collector car events. The 2025 edition attracted more than 250,000 visitors to Knokke-Heist. This year’s event has expanded across four zones and features two major auctions, with Broad Arrow and Bonhams together bringing in over €41 million in 2025, according to AutoNext.
The Cadillac will be on public preview on Wednesday 7 and Thursday 8 October at the Green Grounds at Approach Golf in Knokke-Heist before the auction on Friday 9 October. Royal automotive history takes centre stage at this year’s event: a 1934 Bugatti Type 59 Sports once owned by King Leopold III — Boudewijn’s father — will also be displayed at the Zoute Concours d’Elegance on 10-11 October.
Tuytens noted that royal vehicles at auction remain rare: “We’ve had this in the past, also specifically with Cadillacs. Those were the famous big American sleds. So it’s exceptional, but not unique. It only happens every few years that we can get our hands on a car from the royal household.”
What to Watch For
As the auction date approaches, collectors and royal enthusiasts alike will be watching whether the car’s royal provenance drives bidding above the estimate. The vehicle’s remarkable journey — from the Belgian royal fleet to a private family’s garage for half a century, and now back to the public eye — represents a unique piece of Belgian royal and automotive history. With no reserve price set, the outcome at the Zoute Concours Auction promises to be one of the highlights of this year’s Car Week.