Paris - A five-times campaigner in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, a 1948 Talbot-Lago "Chambas" T26 Grand Sport first owned by French industrialist André Chambas, flew the Tricolore for France as the top lot in Bonhams Grandes Marques du Monde à Paris sale on 2 February, selling for €2,185,000.

The 14th edition of Bonhams' European season-opener realised a grand total of €32.5 million over the two-day sale which included an important pioneer car and motorcycle collection sale.

1948 Talbot-Lago "Chambas" T26, Grand Sport (at Le Mans in period)
which sold for €2,185,000

The Le Mans Classic and Mille Miglia Storica-eligible Talbot-Lago had participated, earlier in the week, in a Le Mans celebration at the ACF, and offered its new owner surely the ideal opportunity to participate in this year's centenary celebrations of the world's most famous endurance race at the Le Sarthe circuit in June.

Finishing second in the sale was a fellow Le Mans veteran, a 1934 Aston Martin Ulster Two-Seater Sports, also eligible for the Le Mans Classic event, which achieved €1,552,500.

1991 Jordan-Ford 191 Formula 1 Racing Single-Seater 191-6, sold for €1,495,000

The third spot on the podium was taken by the car in which a young Michael Schumacher first made his mark in Formula 1. The 1991 Jordan-Ford 191 Formula 1 Racing Single-Seater in which the seven-time Formula 1 World Champion made his sensational debut in the first practice session of the 1991 Belgian Grand Prix, sold for €1,495,000.

Another important motoring milestone this year – Porsche's 75th anniversary – was marked in style with an extraordinary private single-owner collection of a dozen air-cooled Porsche turbos. Representing every generation of the definitive sports car, the twelve performed strongly, achieving a 100% sold 'white glove' sale with a total of €3.3 million. The star of the collection was the 1993 Porsche 964 Turbo S 'Leichtbau' (Lightweight), one of the rarest and most collectable 911s, which made €1,035,000.

Other highlights were:

1988 Ferrari F40, sold for €2,185,000. A highly-sought after pre-series 'non-catalytic' example of one of the last great analogue supercars – and the final Ferrari to be overseen by company founder Enzo.

2009 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren 722 Roadster, sold for €747,500. One of only 150 722 Roadsters produced, celebrating Stirling Moss' 1955 Mille Miglia victory, this SLR surpassed its top estimate.

1933 Lorraine-Dietrich B3-6 Sport Cabriolet, realised €437,000. This customer competition model from the historic French racing marque had been offered from more than 60 years' single-family ownership.

2015 Lagonda Taraf, sold for €402,500. One of only 120 produced, the Taraf had covered circa 100 kms from new and also exceeded its top estimate.

Philip Kantor, International Chairman, Bonhams Collector Cars, said: "The success of our second sale in the prestigious Grand Palais Éphémère proves again that the combination of the finest motor cars with this glorious setting attracts the highest level of clientele and serious collectors. We look forward to returning to this magnificent venue next year."

The 14th Bonhams Grandes Marques à Paris Sale was the largest edition of the sale to date, offering 152 collector cars and motorcycles celebrating more than a century of automotive excellence and innovation.

The dawn of motoring had been honoured by a single-owner sale, The Dr Peter and Ulrike Bühner Collection of Important Pioneer and Collectors' Motorcycles and Motor Cars on Wednesday 1 February. The oldest known example of serial production motorcycle, a completely original 1894 Hildebrand & Wolfmüller, topped the sale, selling for €195,500.

Paul Darvill, Head of Department, Bonhams Collector Cars Europe, said: "Our best result in Paris to date builds on the success of last year. The Grandes Marques sale, which also included a Fine Watches auction and an exhibition from other Bonhams fine arts and luxury departments reflects the growth of our European operations and our Paris office in particular."

The Bonhams Collector Car team is now looking forward to next month when the US team will host the Amelia Island Auction on 2 March at the Fernandina Beach Golf Club in Florida.

Bonhams will return to continental Europe for the Bonmont Sale in Cheserex, Switzerland, overlooking Lake Geneva, on 18 June, for which consignments are being invited. Contact [email protected]