• One of only five known survivors
• First registered in Paris
• Present ownership since 1963
• Highly original

Gabriel Voisin was perhaps France's greatest aviation pioneer. In 1907 he built the first practical aeroplane capable of leaving the ground under its own power, and his Avions Voisin company was the first mass producer of aircraft in the world. The end of WWI in 1918 brought a halt to Voisin's aviation ventures and forced him to look elsewhere to provide employment for his workforce. The result was some of the most original and innovative automobile engineering of the inter-war era, especially in the field of passenger-car aerodynamics, as exemplified by this C30.

In 1937, following the restructuring of Voisin, the company's new owner commissioned the production of a new model: the C30. Continental Motors' 3.6-litre six-cylinder Graham engine was chosen for the C30 and could be ordered with a supercharger, which boosted maximum power from 90 to 116bhp. The outbreak of WW2 put a stop to the C30's brief production run (around 20 or 30 were made, only five of which are known to survive) and they are historically significant as the last Voisin automobiles.

This C30 was first registered on 27th June 1939 as '7405 RM 6', then a Parisian number. It was subsequently registered as '8673 DR 75' to one Emile Janet, residing at 4, rue Clement Marot in Paris, on 24th March 1955. There is a plaque on the dashboard saying 'René Janet, 16, rue Franklin, Paris', which was mistakenly thought to refer to the coachbuilder (it may refer to an owner of the car, maybe linked to Emile Janet?); however, the car's actual coachbuilder is still unknown. Mr Strinati imported the Voisin from France into Switzerland in October 1963.

In December 1984, the car was treated to some restoration work: the body was repainted in BMW Savanna Beige, the headlining redone, the radiator shell repaired, the chrome re-plated, and the Plexiglas windows in the roof replaced. Some black and white photographs of the C30 (still wearing its French Parisian registration plates) taken by Mr Strinati show it in a darker colour. We believe that the car was originally painted dark green, as upon close inspection traces of dark green paint were found in various places. Apart from the aforementioned changes the car remains highly original.

More recently, the Voisin, together with other cars belonging to Mr Strinati's collection, was exhibited in the 'Musée Jean Tua de l'Automobile' in Geneva. This car was also reproduced as a model, which unfortunately does not come with it. Like the others of the collection, this car has been stored for several years and will require recommissioning. Offered with a file of registration documents and other paperwork.

Please note that if this vehicle is sold to a French private buyer or an EU private individual the reduced rate of Import VAT at 5.5% will be charged on the hammer price. The Import VAT will be invoiced to you by our custom broker who will also charge a clearance fee. If you buy as a Trader or Company however, the Finances Publiques will charge you directly (based on our customs broker clearance) and the French VAT Import Charges will not appear on your Bonhams invoice. Please note that if you purchase as an EU Company, you are required to pay the VAT in your registered country at the relevant rate. Import rates to other EU Countries may vary and an administration fee will be charged to prepare the necessary customs clearance. If you have any questions regarding customs clearance, please contact the Bonhams Motorcar Department or our recommended shippers.