Rare Bugatti Found in British Garage
#1
Rare Bugatti Found in British Garage
Dr. Harold Carr, an orthopedic surgeon in England, was a recluse in his later years, according to relatives. He never married or had children. So when the doctor died in 2007 at the age of 89, few knew what to expect inside his dusty garage. The last thing Dr. Carr’s relatives expected to find was one of the rarest cars in the world, a 1937 Bugatti 57S Atalante, which The Associated Press said was one of 17 in existence.
From the Times of London:
The Bugatti, a black two-seater, was delivered to Earl Howe, the first president of the British Racing Drivers’ Club and a winner of the 24 Hour Le Mans race, soon after it was completed on May 5, 1937. He kept the car for eight years, adding personal touches including a luggage rack, after which it changed hands a couple of times before Dr. Carr bought it from Lord Ridley, a member of the Northumberland gentry, in 1955.
He drove the car for a few years, but by the early 1960s it was parked in his garage, where it remained until after his death. It has exceptional originality, retaining original chassis, engine and drivetrain. Even the odometer gives a mileage of only 26,284, although the vehicle is almost 72 years old.
Dr. Carr’s nephew said, “It was one of the original supercars. When it was built it could reach 130 m.p.h. when most cars could only do 50.”
The Bugatti will be a highlight of the Bonhams auction at Retromobile in Paris next month. Experts said the car could fetch $4.3 million or more, reports The Associated Press.
Dr. Carr’s nephew, who asked not to have his name published, told the Times of London that the discovery stunned the family.
“It’s amazing, really,” he said. “It’s worth so much because he hasn’t used it for 50 years.”
The car was hardly a secret among classic-car cognescenti. Dr. Carr’s nephew said his uncle had received many letters from collectors all over Britain asking him to part with the Bugatti. “He got notes pushed through his door,” he said.
http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2009...ish-garage/?hp
He drove the car for a few years, but by the early 1960s it was parked in his garage, where it remained until after his death. It has exceptional originality, retaining original chassis, engine and drivetrain. Even the odometer gives a mileage of only 26,284, although the vehicle is almost 72 years old.
Dr. Carr’s nephew said, “It was one of the original supercars. When it was built it could reach 130 m.p.h. when most cars could only do 50.”
The Bugatti will be a highlight of the Bonhams auction at Retromobile in Paris next month. Experts said the car could fetch $4.3 million or more, reports The Associated Press.
Dr. Carr’s nephew, who asked not to have his name published, told the Times of London that the discovery stunned the family.
“It’s amazing, really,” he said. “It’s worth so much because he hasn’t used it for 50 years.”
The car was hardly a secret among classic-car cognescenti. Dr. Carr’s nephew said his uncle had received many letters from collectors all over Britain asking him to part with the Bugatti. “He got notes pushed through his door,” he said.
http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2009...ish-garage/?hp
#4
Another article on this great find. http://www.worldcarfans.com/9090102....ound-in-garage
Hmmm, I wonder what's hiding in my garage?? .... 5 min later..... nope, not a 57S.
Hmmm, I wonder what's hiding in my garage?? .... 5 min later..... nope, not a 57S.
#7
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