Barn Find May Bring New Bugatti Record

When Dr Harold Carr’s nieces and nephews were left their uncle’s garage in his will, they might have been a bit unexcited about being the new owners of a building described as “run-of-the-mill”. That is until they found the treasure that had been parked there for about forty seven years - a1937 Bugatti Type 57S Atalante, one of only 17 made in the world.

Bugatti’s 1930s masterpiece, the Type 57 model, is best known for the Atalante coupe which evolved into its definitive form as the ‘S’ or ‘competition model’. With its increased performance and a low center of gravity created by running the car’s rear axle through the chassis, produced not only a superb sports car, but a ground-hugging chassis line ideal for creating the most aerodynamic bodywork designs yet seen. It was one of the original supercars that could reach 130mph at a time when other cars could only do 50mph.

Dr Harold Carr’s Type 57S is a very special find not only because of its preserved condition retaining the original chassis, engine, drive train and body, and a low odometer reading of 26,284, but also because of its documentation. This particular Bugatti with chassis number 57502 has a continuous and chronicled history beginning with it first owner, Le Mans 24 hour race winner Earl Howe, who had had a long association with Ettore Bugatti.

This very special 1937 Bugatti Type 57S Atalante will be the highlight of Bonham's Retromobile Car Show and sale in Paris on February 7, 2009. It’s rumored that although the auctioneers have a reserve of £3 million ($4.5 million), the bidding is expected to reach over £6 million which would bring the sale very close to the 1931 Bugatti Royale Kellner Coupe which sold for $9.7 million, the highest auction price ever paid for a Bugatti. Not a bad in vestment considering Dr Harry Carr, who has been described as a very eccentric old gent, paid £895 for it in 1955.

In a press release, James Knight, 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.” But according to Carr’s family, when the property was cleared, dozens of notes from would-be buyers of the French supercar were found inside. “People must have known because he got letters from all over the country,” his nephew said. “He got notes pushed through his door, people traveled from all over to try and convince him to sell the car.”

We’ll definitely keep an eye on this sale and report back. Maybe we’ll even have to update our list of The Ten Most Expensive Cars.

Photo © Bonhams