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Rare Bugatti Could Fetch $4.5 Million
January 02, 2009 10:37 AM
By EAMONN TAYLOR, ABC News London
When an uncle leaves you an inheritance of a garage, you presume you are getting some rusty tools and random knickknacks. But the nieces and nephews of Harold Carr were in for a possible multimillion-dollar surprise, The Times has reported.
Carr, a reclusive surgeon and sports car collector, left his relatives a rare 1937 Bugatti Type 57S Atalante. The exotic Bugatti is one of 17 in the world. The car will be the centerpiece of Bonhams' Retro mobile show in Paris Feb. 7. Carr’s nephew, who wished to remain anonymous, joked that his uncle “was a very eccentric old gent, I suppose you could call him a mad doctor,” the Times reports. The 72-year-old car has averaged about 365 miles a year and has retained much of its originality. The Chassis, engine and drivetrain are all original, which lends to its high desirability.
The car needs a slight restoration to the seats and some of the parts, but will be sold as is at auction. Carr’s nephew said, “It was one of the original supercars. When it was built it could reach 130 mph [miles per hour] when most cars could only do 50.” This is still faster than a lot of our cars today. The 57S has had several previous owners including Lord Ridley of the Northumberland Gentry and Earl Howe, winner of the 1931, 24 Hours of Le Mans. A similar 1931 Bugatti sold for a record $6.8 million back in 1987.
According to Bonhams’ Web site, James Knight, the international head of Bonhams' motoring department, said, "I have known of this Bugatti for a number of years and, like a select group of others, hadn’t dared divulge its whereabouts to anyone. It is absolutely one of the last great barn discoveries, and we at Bonhams are honored to have been selected to handle its sale.” So if you have some “eccentric” uncle out there, be nice; you never know what valuables he could be stowing away.
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January 2, 2009 in Eamonn Taylor | Permalink | User Comments (5)
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Similar? The two high-dollar 1931 Bugattis weren't "similar" at all other than being Bugattis. Way to research.
Posted by: huh | Jan 2, 2009 7:05:04 PM
I SAW RALPH LAUREN'S BUGATTI ROYALE WIN BEST OF SHOW AT PEBBLE BEACH IN 1990. IT WAS AUCTIONED OFF AT BLACKHAWK FOR 8 MILLION BACK THEN. THIS SHOULD GET 5 OR 6 MIL.
Posted by: CHUCK | Jan 3, 2009 5:51:44 AM
Hey UNCS leave me in your will if you have a classic! My parents will only leave me bills when they pass! :)
Posted by: RobNJ | Jan 4, 2009 1:14:52 PM
What a well written article..... Reminds me of when my great grandfather Dennis ;eft me an antique Victrola when he passed (god rest his soul).
Posted by: Roger Wahlberg | Jan 5, 2009 12:20:21 PM
Wow. i bet even the stuff in the garage is fun to go through and check out.
Posted by: Carlover | Jan 5, 2009 1:54:40 PM
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