Rare Bugatti brings big bucks at auction

[82Rigger]

LONDON – A car abandoned in a garage in Britain for half a century sold at an auction in Paris for euro3.4 million (about US$4.4 million) Friday.

The 1937 Bugatti Type 57S went under the hammer at Bonhams' Retromobile car show and sale in Paris. It was sold on behalf of the family of its last owner, Dr Harold Carr.

The orthopedic surgeon drove the car for several years, but in the early 1960s it was parked in his garage in Gosforth, near Newcastle in northern England, where it remained for nearly 50 years until his death in 2007.

Bugatti once represented the height of motoring achievement. The supercar was so ahead of its time it could go up to 130 mph (209 kph) when most other cars topped out about 50 mph (80 kph).

This particular car is especially valuable because it was originally owned by Earl Howe, a prominent British race car driver, and because its original equipment is intact, so it can restored without relying on replacement parts.
Bonham's said a European collector bought the car.

The company founded in 1909 by Ettore Bugatti collapsed in the 1940s after a long string of racing victories.

[39mto39g]

People are stupid in any part of the world.
There are two people here that are smart. The auction house , 10% commission, and the seller.

Going 130 MPH is a car like that is again a very stupid thing to do, Brakes are bad, suspension is no good, tires will fly apart, bearing were no good. No seat belts, roll bar, Roads were no good, I could go on but, why?

Ron

[QM3steve]

They had to friggin start somewhere!

[39mto39g]

Well here’s some friggen American cars that are much better. The Cadillac is 7 years older.
The V16 Cadillac would run away from that Bugatti and so would the V12 Lincoln.
1930 Cad, 1937 Lincoln
Friggen Ron

[covan]

To me the Type SC Atlantic was one of the most beautiful automobiles ever built. It has an Elektron body and riveted seams. The dorsal fin construction is a wonder. Due to the body material it could not be welded.

Pre-war American models - I like the Duesenberg line of Duesenberg, Auburn and Cord. Many of their engines were built in a factory about a half mile from my house.

[82Rigger]

Ron,

Yeah, those are better performers and better lookin' in my opinion.

But the Bugatti is rare and still has all the original parts, which is why the big dollars.

Buyer is obviously a collector and will restore it and take it to shows, etc.

[QM3steve]

The V16 Cadillac topped out between 80 and 100 mph, depending on the weight of the car and the V12 Lincoln topped at 90 mph. That doesn't quite "run away." The Bugatti was designed for the speed in its day. NASCAR rules didn't apply 'cause that didn't come about untill 1948. Trial and error. Look at some of the early cars in stock car racing. Tires, brakes, 5 point harness safety belts, roll cages, fuel cells. They weren't at the pole position in 1948. Credit is due for the Bugatti's design for its time.

[covan]

Here's a photo of how they found the Bugatti.