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Rescuing the beautiful cars born in France
Bucciali engine
Dola
The drawings are by Bo Bonfils.
The drawings are by Bo Bonfils.
We could not believe what we saw when we received these pictures from a Danish reader who now lives in Sweden. And it got even better when he provided us with a wealth of information about them.
Here is an amazing story told by Jakob Bonfils about his late brother Bo Bonfils:
The 1935 Riley Sprite was filled to the brim with all their belongings, and the adventure was about to begin. In 1961 Bo Bonfils and his then-girlfriend Dola (who would later become his wife) moved from Copenhagen to Amsterdam. Dola studied art history and Bo was an artist and painter. They were young and free and enjoyed life on the Prinsengracht in Amsterdam.
By driving the Riley through Amsterdam, Bo made many contacts, some of which continued throughout his life. He was a very loyal Riley enthusiast and had many Rileys during his life including a Brooklands, a 12/4 special, an MPH, a 12/4 Kestrel, a Lynx, a Pathfinder and finally a Nine, which was built on a Brooklands chassis.
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In Amsterdam, Bo met a young guy called Jan Cohen who had a predilection for Bugatti and used his Bugatti T40 Roadster for daily transport. He bought and sold cars, probably to buy another Bugatti or two.
Not long after he arrived in the capital, Bo accompanied Jan on a trip to Lyon to pick up a Talbot Lago T26. Both their girlfriends came along.
Germain Lambert
On their way back to Amsterdam, they visited Germain Lambert in the small town of Giromagny in the Vosges region of Alsace. Germain Lambert was born in 1903 and built his first car at the age of 23. He was an engineer and later built front-wheel-drive cars with independent suspension on all 4 wheels. Some of the cars in the photos are his.
The text on the side of Germain Lambert's truck and on the edge of the roof reads: Pour le sauvetage des belles l'automobiles est née en France. For the rescue of beautiful cars born in France. Did Germain see it as his task to collect as many French PreWarCars as possible in order to save them? In those days they were not worth much, and certainly not as valuable as they are today.
Luckily, Bo had his Rolleiflex with him and he shot 3 rolls of film of what was under the roofs and in the rest of the workshop. Some of the cars in the photos survive. The low truck and the pair next to it plus two others were exhibited at Retromobile in 2013 and are on display in the Mullhouse Museum. The Bugatti T44 with the rally plate is still running and in good shape. But what about all those other treasures (did you also see the Bucciali engine)?
We are told that Guy, one of Germain’s sons, was the driving force behind Lambert's cars being exhibited at Retromobile. Hopefully, the photos can help to find out more about this interesting man and what happened to those beautiful cars.
We would like to thank Jakob for sharing this wonderful story and valuable pieces of automotive history with us and other classic car enthusiasts around the world.
Originally published: Monday June 21st, 2021
Publiziert:
Montag März 20th, 2023
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Kommentare
tony leilde
16 März 2023, 23:41
the D'yrsan now,after restoration, to get it her original body
Weiter lesen
tony leilde
16 März 2023, 23:10
Hi
I'am the owner of the D'yrsan.
Very interesting by all pictures ,documentations,
Thank you all
Weiter lesen
I'am the owner of the D'yrsan.
Very interesting by all pictures ,documentations,
Thank you all
Philippe Jaillon
13 Oktober 2022, 18:23
In the fifties I was visiting Germain Lambert in Rueil-Malmaison where he had his treasures gathered on a piece of land that we would name today a "scrapyard" He was an easy chap always ready to go to the bistro around the corner to drink a Ricard. I remember especially the T44 with its V windscreen. Germain was complaining that he had be stolen his ideas by Citroën ! I have in my files a color pic of the T44 in its original look, a cover from a magazine.
File on request
I would greatly appreciate to receive via Wetransfer the pics mentioned at the beginning of this post.
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File on request
I would greatly appreciate to receive via Wetransfer the pics mentioned at the beginning of this post.
Guillaume
08 Dezember 2021, 10:21
Bonjour
J ai la chance de posséder l amilcar qui est garée à côté de la Rally
Elle a repris la route
Comment faire pour avoir les origines des photos
Merci et bonne route
Guillaume
Weiter lesen
J ai la chance de posséder l amilcar qui est garée à côté de la Rally
Elle a repris la route
Comment faire pour avoir les origines des photos
Merci et bonne route
Guillaume
jakob bonfils
10 Januar 2022, 22:18
Hi Guillaume
I have the original negatives and if you send your mailadress to [email protected], I can send them to you via WeTransfer, because it is large files.
Best from Jakob
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I have the original negatives and if you send your mailadress to [email protected], I can send them to you via WeTransfer, because it is large files.
Best from Jakob
chambault
10 September 2021, 16:09
I lived 20 miles away from Germain Lambert, close to Toucy in the Yonne district and knew him well. Both his sons have passed away, the last one, Guy, about 3 years ago. He was the force behind the wish to keep the cars within the family but when he knew he was going to go soon a deal was organised with the Mulhouse Museum where the last three (or four) Lambert cars are exhibited.
The 44 Bugatti had a worn out engine and tired body. About 25 years ago it was restored and fitted with a new open tourer body, nicely done, black and yellow. The owner an industrial baker passed away lately and I don't know where the family sold it. Back in the 70's / 80's Lambert had some other Lyon made exotics which all desappeared through time when money was needed. He then had many Ruby engines for cyclecars and some Scap's too. His end was quite miserable in the small grocery of their village. A bright character though who never accepted his venture collapse.
Weiter lesen
The 44 Bugatti had a worn out engine and tired body. About 25 years ago it was restored and fitted with a new open tourer body, nicely done, black and yellow. The owner an industrial baker passed away lately and I don't know where the family sold it. Back in the 70's / 80's Lambert had some other Lyon made exotics which all desappeared through time when money was needed. He then had many Ruby engines for cyclecars and some Scap's too. His end was quite miserable in the small grocery of their village. A bright character though who never accepted his venture collapse.
Automobiliafinder
10 September 2021, 14:22
I have a New Old Stock Germain Lambert enamel badge .
This was for the sans Choc cars .
Once I spoke to Guy L about it , he told me that his Dad commissioned a batch of a hundred .
This was small serie from the start .
This badge can be for sale and is original and in mint condition .
Best Regards ,
Weiter lesen
This was for the sans Choc cars .
Once I spoke to Guy L about it , he told me that his Dad commissioned a batch of a hundred .
This was small serie from the start .
This badge can be for sale and is original and in mint condition .
Best Regards ,
Tony Hillyard
10 September 2021, 09:29
Good morning everyone,
Now this is where prewarcar.com really comes into it's own. The knowledge and camaraderie of the prewar readers is fantastic.
Long may it last.
Tony Hillyard
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Now this is where prewarcar.com really comes into it's own. The knowledge and camaraderie of the prewar readers is fantastic.
Long may it last.
Tony Hillyard
LUCA
31 August 2021, 19:04
I AM OWNER OF LAMBERT IN PHOTO (LE MUR DE LA MORT). IF YOU HAVE INFORMATION AND OTHER PHOTOS PLEASE YOU CAN CONTACT ME. THANK YOU.
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Mathieu
11 September 2021, 16:10
Nice picture!
If I remember well the chassis was Salmson and the engine Ruby
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If I remember well the chassis was Salmson and the engine Ruby
Gerard Brands
02 Juli 2021, 08:03
Hello All,
I just spoke to one of the friends of Jan Cohen [Richard Andersen] yesterday and he confirmed the rally plaque is from the first international rally to Le Mans organised by Guillaume Prick in 1958
All the best,
Gerard
Weiter lesen
I just spoke to one of the friends of Jan Cohen [Richard Andersen] yesterday and he confirmed the rally plaque is from the first international rally to Le Mans organised by Guillaume Prick in 1958
All the best,
Gerard
Michel Berge
27 Juni 2021, 19:26
Bonjour,
Passionné par les automobiles construites par G. Lambert, j'ai bien connu le 2ième fils de G.Lambert , je serai heureux d'échanger avec Andrew Minney.
Merci
Weiter lesen
Passionné par les automobiles construites par G. Lambert, j'ai bien connu le 2ième fils de G.Lambert , je serai heureux d'échanger avec Andrew Minney.
Merci
John McNab
27 Juni 2021, 11:52
As the rally plate on the Bugatti 44 is dated "74" the picture must have been taken after that date !
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Jakob Bonfils
28 Juni 2021, 19:29
Hi John Mc Nab
The Rally plate is from 1955 !
Bugattiste’s count from the birth of Ettore Bugatti which is 1881
Best Regards from Jakob Bonfils
Weiter lesen
The Rally plate is from 1955 !
Bugattiste’s count from the birth of Ettore Bugatti which is 1881
Best Regards from Jakob Bonfils
Jean P MICHEL
27 Juni 2021, 10:37
Bonjour,
May I suggest this recent 80 page magazine on Germain Lambert published a year ago in Giromagny by the association AHPSH (François Sellier).
All the best.
Weiter lesen
May I suggest this recent 80 page magazine on Germain Lambert published a year ago in Giromagny by the association AHPSH (François Sellier).
All the best.
Gerard Brands
25 Juni 2021, 19:15
Hello all,
Trough jan Cohen i have met Guy Lambert when visiting vintage Montlery
Guy did bring the car where his father drove the Bol D'or in with him and a other year a Lambert that looked like a small pick up truck
enclosed a picture of Guy in the Bol D'or Lambert
The last thing i heard of Guy from Jan is that he moved to the south of France
there whas a kind of club from Lambert owners at the time, they might be able to tell a lot more
Gerard
Weiter lesen
Trough jan Cohen i have met Guy Lambert when visiting vintage Montlery
Guy did bring the car where his father drove the Bol D'or in with him and a other year a Lambert that looked like a small pick up truck
enclosed a picture of Guy in the Bol D'or Lambert
The last thing i heard of Guy from Jan is that he moved to the south of France
there whas a kind of club from Lambert owners at the time, they might be able to tell a lot more
Gerard
Holger Giebeler
25 Juni 2021, 09:45
Thank you for the photos and the story about Lambert as well as the reference to the text on the Internet "Germain Lambert, les galères d’un imaginatif".
About 20 years ago, I was a visitor to the Vintage Montlhery event near Paris. At that time a Mr. Lambert took part with a Lambert car. He stayed in an older french motorhome.
Unfortunately, I did not speak to the gentleman.
Was it a son of Germain Lambert? Is my memory wrong or does someone maybe know something about it?
Holger Giebeler
Weiter lesen
About 20 years ago, I was a visitor to the Vintage Montlhery event near Paris. At that time a Mr. Lambert took part with a Lambert car. He stayed in an older french motorhome.
Unfortunately, I did not speak to the gentleman.
Was it a son of Germain Lambert? Is my memory wrong or does someone maybe know something about it?
Holger Giebeler
Lee Stohr
23 Juni 2021, 05:01
Andrew, Have you found this small article by Eric Favre, on the internet? I can forward it to you if you wish. "Germain Lambert, les galères d’un imaginatif
Ce n’est pas faute d’idées que Germain Lambert a galéré pendant près de trente ans avant de d’être enfin reconnu. Mais bien à cause de la malchance. Et s’il reste aujourd’hui encore dans l’ombre, ses idées ont depuis été largement reconnues et ont participé au développement technique de l’automobile…
Texte Eric Favre"
Weiter lesen
Ce n’est pas faute d’idées que Germain Lambert a galéré pendant près de trente ans avant de d’être enfin reconnu. Mais bien à cause de la malchance. Et s’il reste aujourd’hui encore dans l’ombre, ses idées ont depuis été largement reconnues et ont participé au développement technique de l’automobile…
Texte Eric Favre"
Andrew Minney
23 Juni 2021, 12:35
Lee
Thank you I have! I have spent hours on Google chasing info but always looking for more.
I would love a copy (original or photocopy!) of his book but it is out of my reach just now!
Does anyone know when and where he married his wife. I THINK 1929 in Macon but cannot confirm.
Weiter lesen
Thank you I have! I have spent hours on Google chasing info but always looking for more.
I would love a copy (original or photocopy!) of his book but it is out of my reach just now!
Does anyone know when and where he married his wife. I THINK 1929 in Macon but cannot confirm.
Andrew Minney
22 Juni 2021, 18:13
This is interesting.
I have been collecting material, photographs and information on Germain Lambert, his life and his cars.
If anyone wants to share with me please do so.
Many thanks
Weiter lesen
I have been collecting material, photographs and information on Germain Lambert, his life and his cars.
If anyone wants to share with me please do so.
Many thanks
Hans Veenenbos
21 Juni 2021, 12:24
Great story and photos - thanks for sharing this with us Jakob.
I knew Jan since around 1970 - he was a true Bugatti addict and a fine man as well.
There are many great stories about his Bugatti escapades.
He and two other friends - as eccentric as Jan - were the core of a group of Bugatti friends.
One of them is still around - at a high age.
Best, Hans
Weiter lesen
I knew Jan since around 1970 - he was a true Bugatti addict and a fine man as well.
There are many great stories about his Bugatti escapades.
He and two other friends - as eccentric as Jan - were the core of a group of Bugatti friends.
One of them is still around - at a high age.
Best, Hans