On home territory, Bonhams Europe will host their usual sale at Geneva’s Musée de l’Automobile during the second week of the annual Motor Show which, as Simon Kidston puts it, ‘raises the curtain every March on the European motoring season’. A significant proportion of the sale is the Carlo Talamo collection - that includes such gems as a 1992 AC Cobra MkIV at SFR90.000 - 100.000.

Carlo Talamo was an Italian entrepreneur who was responsible primarily for Harley-Davidson’s sales success in Italy from 1984 to the present day, and also that of British motorcycle manufacturer Triumph since the early 1990s. By building up a business empire based on these two marques (as well as importing and selling Rolls-Royce and Bentleys), Talamo was able to indulge his passion for powerful cars. Sadly dying in a motorcycling accident in 2002, at the early age of forty-nine, his car collection is eclectic and individual - as can be seen by some of the entries at the Geneva Sale.

The AC Cobra MkIV is an example of sheer horsepower and extravagance, as is the 1997 Chrysler Viper GTS, SFR80.000 - 100.000, but the little 1981 Fiat 500 595 Barchetta (SFR12.000 - 15.000), specially converted in the UK in 1994, is a typically quirky car that only a serial entrepreneur and individualist could order. Who else would marry a very turquoise 1968 Riley Elf MkIII (SFR8.000 - 10.000) with a 2002 Chrysler Prowler, finished in ‘Prowler Purple Metallic’ (SFR70.000 - 90.000) in their collection? True to his business interests there is also a 1991 Bentley Continental Convertible, at SFR130.000 - 160.000, and a 1994 Rolls-Royce Corniche Turbo (SFR140.000 - 170.000). The latter a very rare car, chassis #0 of a series of 15 R-R convertibles fitted with the Bentley Turbo R sports saloon motor.

Moving to the other lots, a 1968 Ferrari 365GT 2+2 (SFR45.000 - 55.000) opens proceedings. Finished in dark red, the car has been re-trimmed in black leather and a looks every inch the elegant boulevardier. Another Maranello car is the 1966 Ferrari 275GTB Alloy Berlinetta, at SFR300.000 - 400.000, this time in bright red. First registered on 3rd January 1966, chassis 7927 received alloy long-nose coachwork and was originally finished in Celeste (light blue) with blue leather.

Two Porsches are entered, the 1963 356 B ‘Carrera GT Style’ is from the Talamo Collection and is estimated at SFR65.000 - 75.000 while the 1955 356 Continental Cabriolet (SFR95.000 - 100.000) is a product of the (then) New York-based importer Max Hoffman’s feverish marketing activity in the mid-Fifties. A rare bird, it’s a better-equipped successor to the stark ‘1500 America’ base-model convertible and was transported back to Europe in 1994, having won several shows in the late ‘80s. Finished in cream, with red leather interior and black hood, it’s described as being presented in excellent condition.

Rolls-Royce, Bentleys (a total of five are entered), Porsches and several Ferraris - but only one Aston Martin. The red, LHD 1957 DB2 MKIII is estimated at SFR60.000 - 70.000 and looks a nice example of what many people consider the most attractive DB2 variant.

The sale starts at 18.00 on Monday 8th March and is preceded by some 50 lots of automobilia.

Classic Driver are delighted to announce that all the motor-car lots for the Geneva Auction are included in their CAR DATABASE.

Click HERE to view the lotlist.

Bonhams next European Auction will be at Monaco on the 15th of May. For further information please contact [email protected] or [email protected] by email or at the address below.
Classic Driver have already covered some of the preliminary entries - please click HERE to view the complete article.

Bonhams Europe S.A. 7 Av. Pictet-de-Rochemont 1207 Geneva Switzerland Tel: 0041 22 300 31 60 Fax: 0041 22 300 30 35 [email protected]

Text - Steve Wakefield
Photos - Bonhams