Bonhams is to auction several cars from the Pierre Strinati Collection at its Paris sale on January 30, 2026. The Polo de Paris will host Les Belles Endormies, a selection of 11 vehicles retained from the much larger Strinati Collection that was dispersed many years ago.
Pierre Strinati was the only son of a wealthy textile manufacturer, and he started collecting cars as an expression of his passion for automotive design in the mid-1950s. A decade later, he had assembled an enormous collection of vehicles from the likes of Bugatti, Delage, Delahaye, Talbot, Voisin, Ferrari, Lancia, Alfa Romeo, Horch, Maybach, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Lagonda, Jaguar, Aston Martin and Pegaso. Many cars were sold off in the 1980s and 1990s, but several remained – including his personal favourite.
This 1934 Mercedes-Benz 500K (Type W29) Coupé by Vanvooren is a one-off, and one of only 18 W29 Coupé built. As confirmed during a December 2025 inspection by Vanvooren specialist Martin Waltz, the Vanvooren body number 2933 is stamped in multiple locations on the vehicle and corresponds to August 1938. The fate of the chassis during the three-year period following its delivery from Stuttgart to Paris remains undocumented. It may have remained unsold during this time, or alternatively it may have been fitted with an earlier body that was subsequently replaced in 1938.
The Mercedes is believed to have remained in France until 1947, when it was first recorded in Geneva, Switzerland. That year, it was observed by 18-year-old Pierre Strinati, parked outside Garage Verolet at 107 Boulevard de la Cluse and carrying Swiss dealer plates GE 2325. Offered for sale at CHF3500, the car was photographed by Strinati, who retained the images and notes. The vehicle was photographed again in front of the Eaux-Vives Garage operated by Blanc & Paiches, this time without registration; together with Strinati’s photographs, these constitute the earliest known images of the car.
Formal importation from France to Switzerland followed. In 1959, Strinati encountered the car again in Montreux, by then finished in black and owned by Kaspar Schmid, proprietor of the Le Pavillon tea house. Following their discussion, the Mercedes was sold to Strinati on January 29, 1959 for CHF10,000.
After acquiring the car, Strinati had Carrosserie Roland Bodi adjust the bonnet, repair the radiator, re-chrome the bumpers, address door-panel elements and repaint it green, restoring its original appearance. He registered the Mercedes on May 31, 1960 and drove it regularly, often with his mother. In the 1970s, the car was retired from use and placed in storage. It was briefly exhibited at the Musée de l’Automobile Jean Tua in Geneva in 1993 before being stored on axle stands in a dedicated garage for the following three decades. Offered at no reserve, it’s estimated at between €1.5m and €2.5m.
This 1939 Voisin C30 Saloon was first registered on a Parisian plate, and later re-registered as to Emile Janet, living at 4 rue Clément Marot, Paris, on March 24, 1955. A dashboard plaque reading ‘René Janet, 16 rue Franklin, Paris’ may refer to a previous owner possibly linked to Emile Janet, although the coachbuilder remains unknown.
Strinati imported the Voisin into Switzerland in October 1963. In December 1984, the car underwent restoration: the body was repainted BMW Savanna Beige, the headlining renewed, the radiator shel repaired, the chrome re-plated and the Plexiglas roof windows replaced. Black-and-white photographs taken by Strinati show the C30 in a darker shade, and traces of dark green paint suggest it was the original colour.
Aside from these interventions, the car remains largely original. More recently, the Voisin was exhibited alongside other cars from Strinati’s collection at the Musée Jean Tua de l’Automobile in Geneva. One of five survivors believed to exist, it’s estimated at between €225k and €275k, at no reserve.
This 1938 Delage D8-120 Cabriolet was ordered in December 1938 by the Swiss Delage and Delahaye representative Albert Goy of Garage du Kursaal in Geneva for Mr Gossweiler of Bern. The body came from Henri Chapron, and factory records state that it was ordered in black with a red interior and a black alpaca hood, while a thin red coachline was applied to the body.
The Delage was ordered with Securit glass, front and rear indicators, two additional foglights, a more powerful horn and a steering column-mounted ignition key that doubled as an anti-theft device. The client also requested removable rear seats and a flat rear floor for bulky luggage, although Chapron declined, citing the chassis shape.
Extensive correspondence survives, including a detailed letter from Mr Gossweiler criticising the bodywork quality, particularly the dashboard and hood cover, which he had remade. At one point, he considered withholding part of the payment until the work was completed.
The car has always remained in Switzerland. It was owned in 1949 by industrialist Ludwig Zweifel of Glaris, then by dentist Walter Meier in Blonay from 1953. Pierre Strinati acquired it around 1960-61 from Carrosserie Graber, who repainted it and retrimmed the hood in April 1961. The paint was later changed to two-tone dark grey over black, while the leather interior and the rest of the car remain original. Offered at no reserve, it’s estimated at between €250k and €350k.
This 1956 Mercedes-Benz 190 SL was purchased new on June 28, 1956 by Madame Jeanne Strinati, mother of Pierre Strinati, from Etoilauto SA, Mercedes-Benz’s authorised dealer in Geneva. As part of the transaction, she traded in her 1955 Mercedes-Benz 180. The 190 SL was specified in black with a matching hard-top, a white natural interior (1097) and five whitewall tyres.
The car is not equipped with a convertible hood mechanism, and appears in all period photographs with the hard-top fitted, suggesting it was rarely, if ever, removed. According to information provided to Bonhams, a preference for closed cars may explain this configuration.
It retains its front rubber carpeting, Karl Baisch fitted luggage and the original touch-up paint stored in the boot. The odometer currently displays 4612km; the paintwork is also believed to be original but the car will require recommissioning. It’s estimated at €60k-€90k and is offered at no reserve.
This right-hand-drive XK140 coupé was dispatched from the factory on March 6, 1956 to Jaguar agent Garage Claparède in Geneva. It was sold on April 6, 1959 to Madame Jeanne Strinati, mother of Pierre Strinati, who is recorded as the first owner on the accompanying Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust certificate.
The certificate lists the original colour scheme as Cream with a red interior, while Claparède’s invoice describes the car as Grey, which remains its current finish. A note by Mr Strinati states that the car was Cream at the time of importation, as supported by Swiss customs records, indicating that it was repainted after arrival in Geneva. The odometer shows 3150km, but the XK140 has been stored on axle stands for an extended period and will require recommissioning. It’s estimated at between €25k and €45k.
This 1941 BMW 335 two-door cabriolet is among the final examples produced and is finished in two-tone grey and green with a grey interior. Pierre Strinati acquired the car on August 30, 1963, with Swiss taxes having been paid in January 1947. Little documentation survives regarding its earlier history. Based on condition, Bonhams understands that the car has not been restored. The BMW has been inactive for an extended period and will require recommissioning before being returned to use. It’s estimated at between €25k and €45k, no reserve.
This Jowett Jupiter was first registered in the UK as JAK 592 in December 1952, originally finished in British Racing Green. Initial ownership was with the Jowett Car Company, followed by Leonard Chambers of Surrey in January 1953. Subsequent owners included J Batt of London from June 1961 and Richard Hamlett of Reading from October 1962. In October 1966 the car was sold to Pierre Strinati, who imported it into Switzerland.
The Jupiter remained unused until December 1993, when it was restored by Pius Buch SA of Geneva. The work included an engine rebuild as well as refurbishment of the bodywork and hood. Since then, the car has seen limited use. Following a period of inactivity, recommissioning will be required; it’s estimated at between €10k and €15k.
This 1951 Citroën 11 BL Traction Avant was purchased by Pierre Strinati in October 1961. In March 1972, the car underwent a major service costing CHF 1260.95, including inspection of the electrical system and adjustment of the valve timing. Later that month, repairs were carried out to the right rear door and wing. The affected areas, along with the sills and wheels, were repainted and the bumpers were re-chromed. It sits on 89,692km and still has its original interior, but recommissioning will be required. It’s estimated at between €5k and €10k.
This 1952 Willys 4×4 Station Wagon was acquired by Pierre Strinati in in August 1982 from Garage Kleefled in Bern, Switzerland. The purchase was made as a reminder of a similar example he had bought in May 1954 from Garage P Jolliet in Geneva and used extensively around the world on expeditions. At the time of acquisition, the Jeep appears to have been undergoing restoration, possibly including repainting in its distinctive lilac finish, because the rear lights are absent. Its last period of use is unknown and recommissioning will be required. It’s estimated at between €10k and €15k.
This 1966 Land Rover Series IIA is believed to have been bought new by Pierre Strinati to use on his exploration and caving expeditions. It was stored with all his speleological equipment in the rear, and recommissioning will be required prior to use. It’s estimated at between €15k and €20k at no reserve.
This 1934 Citroën C4 Kegresse Autochenille was purchased by Pierre Strinati from Oldtimer Gallery in Toffen, Switzerland in March 1984. The vehicle was previously located in Belgium, where it was owned by Yves Dumortier. It was among the final additions to Pierre Strinati’s collection and was acquired for its association with earlier overland expeditions undertaken during a period when mapping of remote regions was limited. It’s estimated at between €20k and €40k.
Further details
For more information on Bonhams 2026 Les Belles Endormies sale in Paris, head here.
