LYON.- Among the 100 cars that will be presented for sale by Osenat Auctions at the Epoqu'Auto show on Novemer 8 (Youngtimers) and 9 (Classics) in Lyon, France, there are three collections and some fifty motorcycles.

Perhaps most fascinating is the rare and elusive 1921 HELICA Sport type SPE Série 20 N° 1. Estimated at €100,000 – €160,000. This Hélica is reminiscent of an aeroplane fuselage, hence its nickname, the ‘wingless aeroplane’), of which only three authentic examples are known to exist today. The first, in ‘private ownership’, belongs to an heir of the Peugeot family, while the second, a sports model, is on display at the Musée des Arts et Métiers.

In 1921, Leyat took over construction himself and designed a new version of his propeller-driven car. The bodywork was made by Ratier, a propeller manufacturer, while Leyat took care of the assembly and mechanics.

A series of 10 cars was produced between 1921 and 1922, with three sports versions added in 1921. In 1927, Leyat set a record of 170 km/h on the Montlhéry ring.

A total of 23 vehicles were built. To date, only two completely original examples remain, an interior drive and the sports model at the Musée des Arts et Métiers.

The 1936 Citroën Rosalie 7UA 9CV — Série N° 886081 has a proud history having served with the French Resistance during WW2 and its owner was highly commended by US General Eisenhower as being one of the top 1,000 Resistance fighters.

This model was acquired in 1936 by Georges Perraudin, a veteran of the First World War and member of the Resistance. He supplied the Maquis in Nièvre with this Citroën Rosalie Boulangère, which escaped requisition after being fitted with very worn tyres that his friend Trinquet, a mechanic, changed when they went up to the Maquis. He was cited by General Dwight David Eisenhower at Allied Headquarters as one of the thousand most deserving members of the French Resistance.

After the war, he donated this beautiful Rosalie to the Charolais Museum of Agricultural Machinery. It was then purchased by the current owner on 12 April 2017, who subsequently restored it.

It should be noted that the owner has the original registration document. This Rosalie was first registered on 26 February 1936, with the number 9831-LP1, which is a military registration number from the Nièvre department (LP1).

Other notable cars in the sale include 30 modern classics from the timeless Peugeot 205 GTI, but above all a Lancia Delta Integrale, a BMW M3 E30 and a Ford Sierra Cosworth.

These exceptional vehicles will be complemented with panache by the Porsche 911 964 RS, Porsche 911 2.7 MFI Targa, 1991 Ferrari Testarossa and 1994 Ferrari 348 GTB.

Among the cars are a few real gems of French motoring - an irresistible 1980 Renault 5 Turbo Kit Groupe 4 and several remarkable models bearing the Peugeot lion emblem. The latter come from the personal collection of Mr Bellucci, an Italian historian with a passion for the brand.

Not to mention rare vehicles such as a 1959 Citroën ID Normale.

Daniele Bellucci is recognised as one of Italy's leading experts on the Peugeot brand.
He discovered the Lion brand during his business trips to Africa and the Middle East. At that time, Peugeot still reigned supreme on desert tracks, and Daniele Bellucci was deeply impressed by the robustness and reliability of its cars.

Returning to Italy in 1982, he bought his first Peugeot: a 304 S convertible found in Florence. This was the beginning of an exclusive passion, as he would only drive Peugeots from then on.

In 2007, after collecting nearly thirty vehicles, he founded his own museum, the Peugeot Gallery, in his village of San Gimignano. At the same time, he devoted himself to writing his first book on the brand. The success of this book, combined with the rigour of his research, quickly established him as a reference among Peugeot connoisseurs. Since then, some fifteen books have followed, each one demonstrating his in-depth knowledge and undiminished passion for the history of the brand.

Now, Daniele Bellucci has sent eight cars from his collection, chosen for their historical interest, authenticity and immaculate condition.