RM / Sotheby's Villa Erba auction, May 20, 2023

• 2019 Bugatti Chiron, Chassis VF9SP3V34KM795196, Estimate: €2,800,000 - €3,300,000: Sold for €2,817,500 inc. premium

The coachbuilder Gangloff in Colmar presented Jean Bugatti with three roadster designs in 1936. These were designed for the then current chassis of the Type 57S, i.e. the shorter and lower T57 design.

The AUTOVISION Museum Foundation decided to create a ready-to-drive T57S Roadster of Gangloff Version 3. However, to ensure functionality of the vehicle in continuous operation, we made a few small changes compared to the original Gangloff version. The newly created, ready-to-drive T57 S has a fully retractable convertible top, which can be stowed under a metal cover when the vehicle is open.

What is remarkable about this version is the overall very low silhouette compared to other T57S convertibles ever built.

If this T57 Gangloff-Style Cabriolet is not on a Sunday jaunt, it can now be admired during the regular opening hours in the AUTOVISION Bugatti Museum in Altlussheim, accompanied by 12 other Bugatti's (take a look at the cars in the background of the photographs!), amongst which several T57S, and the T64 chassis + engine currently on display (see Events).

Some additional details on the T57 S Roadster:

• The S chassis was completely rebuilt.
• The front axle is original but newly chromed.
• The rear axle is only partially original, as the sun gear and the drive (pinion) were reproduced.
• The steering is original.
• The gearbox features new gears and shafts from Brineton Engineering (UK).
• The engine is partially original (see picture with engine number).

And a nice story about the Gangloff Roadster:
Eric Koux, the "Atlantic father", had already supported Horst Schultz's restoration team in building the T57 Atlantic, which is now also part of the Bugatti exhibition at the AUTOVISION Museum. To do this, he left Horst Schultz with the last of his Atlantic parts. When he visited the AUTOVISION Bugatti exhibition two years later to examine the completed Atlantic recreation, he was very satisfied with the result. So pleased that he gave Horst Schultz and the Bugatti Museum a complete set of dashboard instruments from an early T57 Atlantic version as a gift. These were eventually installed in the T57 S Gangloff Roadster, making it even more original (see dashboard images).

Only 16 days ago I published here the announcement (taken from Facebook, though also received through the Dutch Bugatti club) of a Baby that had been stolen.

Just two weeks later, a Dutch Bugattiste and friend of mine was browsing the French 2nd-hand sell-buy Website Leboncoin, when he saw the above advert. An alarm went off in his head, and after double checking, the one advertised looked exactly the same as the one stolen. The owner was informed, as well as the police. With 10 armed officers they went to the site, and apprehended the vilain.

The innocent baby is back with her rightful owners, thanks to a very active Bugatti community...
And a rather stupid thief, who should have waited a year or so before trying to sell..

In December 2022 it was decided that a museum annex showroom will be built in Molsheim / Dorlisheim, alongside the current Atelier.

In order to have a setting worthy of the brand, the design of the new 2,200 m² building was entrusted to a famous Italian architectural firm, specializing in industrial real estate for luxury automobiles. This will be the firm Archilinea, who now already designs the different Bugatti showrooms all over the world.

The museum will have a separate parking area. The construction schedule remains confidential for the time being, though it is clear that construction has already started.

Bugatti is counting on attendance of around 100 visitors per day with a simultaneous presence of at most 50 people. That is between 18,000 and 36,000 visitors per year according to a study dating from 2018.

Visitor parking should be provided for approximately 100 spaces. Tickets should be available at the end of 2023.

Dear Bugattists,

The Bugatti Club invites you to be very vigilant if you are told about an authentic Bugatti Baby that could look like these photos. Take a look at the tires; one can see clearly they have never been used! And that's only one detail.

This Baby was recently stolen. If you have any information: please contact the Castres gendarmerie directly on: 05 67 87 72 11 or the club by email clubbugattifrance@gmail.com who will send your information.

Maybe as a Bugattiste community we can get this innocent baby back to her lawful owner!

Osenat Auction Fontainebleau, France, March 27, 2023

• 1934 Bugatti Type 57 Stelvio, chassis 57109, Engine 11, Estimate: €500,000 - 600,000: Not Sold

Gooding & Company, Estate of Mark Smith Auction, USA, April 7, 2023

• 1913 Peugeot BP1 Bébé, Engine 10998, Estimate $3,000 - $5,000: Sold for $22,400

Bonhams Goodwood Members' Meeting Auction, Goodwood, UK, April 16, 2023

• 1923 Bugatti Type 23 project, Chassis no. 1878, Engine no. 103, Estimate: £60,000 - £80,000: Sold for £113,850 inc. premium

Osenat Auction Fontainebleau, France, April 16, 2023

• Carrosserie four-door Bugatti Type 57 by Panigoni circa 1946, From chassis 57477, Estimate: €7,000 - 9,000: Sold for €9,600 inc. premium
• Aluminium Bugatti Grand Prix de Lyon wheel, Estimate: €350 - 550: Sold for €3,596 inc. premium
• Control stick of the Bugatti 100P airplane, Estimate: €3,000 - 5,000: Sold for €5,704 inc. premium

In an auction in Los Angeles on April 18, a couple of remarkable Carlo Bugatti items will be on sale.

Apart from a more "standard" Carlo Bugatti Chair, there will be the very impressive chair seen above and right, something which at least I had never seen before, from his later period.

According to the catalog it was made in Italy, c. 1900, and is made of lacquered parchment over wood, vellum, copper

Item description:
Attractive antique patina throughout and moderate wear consistent with age, including assorted abrasions, stains, discoloration and impressions. A few gouges and older repairs to the wood. Losses and rubbed wear to parchment throughout with areas of lifting. Copper edging along the seating area is missing a few nails and shows compression near the backrest. Metal details to the seat rail appear to be separating from the medallion. A few stable splits to the medallion details throughout. Copper caps to the feet show loss and minor separation. Considering age this example shows in overall good antique condition.

As we know, Carlo used to decorate his furniture and silverware with intricate images, almost abstract, of insects, animals and flowers. Above a collection of papers with these designs. The designs would then be copied by the craftsmen in the number required for the specific piece.

This Lot is comprised of twenty-three drawings for decorative projects, graphite and ink on tracing paper and card, sizes range from 14 x 10 cm to 43 x 50 cm.

There is a stamped signature to each example 'Bugatti' and 'Loudmer-Poulain Vente Bugatti'.

More info on the auction

The Sydney Harbour Concours d'Elegance took place on 2nd – 4th March.

The event was blessed with glorious weather and the 50 vehicles on display shone in the beautiful sun which burst forth after the tropical storm on Friday lunchtime which necessitated the opening of the Ampol brollies. The amazing parade of classic cars and motorbikes at the UNESCO World Heritage site, Hyde Park Barracks, built in 1819, was much appreciated by the invited guests who dutifully supped Pommery Brut Apanage Champagne, and Chateau La Gordonne rosé from Provence.

Amongst other delights the exquisitely dressed guests were able to view a 1927 Bugatti Type 51 once owned by the Fauvist artist André Derain; a most rare jewel, showcased exclusively for the fifth edition of the Concours.
This gives me two questions; as far as I know, the T51 did not appear before 1931, so how could there be a 1927 example? And, André Derain did not own a T51 (according to BugattiRegister, at least)?

Some more searching leads us to 4847; which was in fact owned by Derain, was a 1927 T35B, and was converted to T51 specification. As far as I know, it is still owned by Andrew M. Cannon from Australia.
In fact, I have a story on the car in the Bugatti Revue.

Winner Class 1 – Racing from War to War presented by Paradise Garage: 1927 Bugatti Type 51

Best in Show Prix d’Honneur – 1962 Ferrari SP 196

Top photo: 4847 at the Monaco Historic GP in 2014, from ultimatecarpage.com

H&H Auction Duxford, UK, March 15, 2023

• 1920 Bugatti Type 23 'Brescia Modifie' Roadster Coachwork by Baer of Berlin - Estimate: £200,000 - £250,000: Not Sold

RM Sotheby's, Amelia Island Auction, 4 March, 2023

• 2019 Bugatti Chiron, Chassis No. VF9SP3V37KM795161, Estimate $2,700,000 - $3,000,000: Not Sold

Bonhams' the Amelia Island Auction, March 2, 2023

• 1934 Bugatti Type 57 Stelvio Convertible, Chassis no. 57195, Engine no. 13. Estimate: US$500,000 - US$600,000: Not Sold
• 1937 Bugatti Type 57S Sports Tourer, Chassis no. 57541, Engine no. 29S, Body no. 3595. Estimate: US$10,000,000 - US$12,000,000: Not Sold

Broad Arrow Auction - the Amelia Island Auction, March 4, 2023

• 1937 Bugatti Type 57C Vanvooren Roadster, Chassis no. 57742.
  Estimate: $1,100,000 - $1,400,000: Sold for $1,380,000 including premium

Henderson Motor Series Auction, Birmingham, USA, October 29, 2022

• 1927 Bugatti T40A Grand Sport, Chassis 40575, sold at $450,000 (not including premium)
• 1937 Bugatti T57C Van Vooren Cabriolet, Chassis 57742, sold at $710,000 (not including premium)

RM - Sotheby's Paris Auction, February 1, 2023

• 1928 Bugatti Type 43 Roadster by Lavocat et Marsaud, Chassis 43233, engine 62
  Estimate 1.0 - 1.3 M euro: sold at €850,000 inc. premium
• 1932 Bugatti Type 55 Roadster in the style of Jean Bugatti, chassis 55219
  Estimate 1.8 - 2.2 M euro: not sold
• 2009 Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport, chassis VF9SK252X0M795040
  Estimate 1.3 - 1.5 M euro, not sold
• 2022 Bugatti Chiron Profilée (One off, new), Chassis VF9NC3V36NM795004, engine DAL 001 398
  Estimate 4.2 - 5.5 M euro: Sold at €9,792,500 inc. premium Highest price ever for a new car at auction!

Bonhams' Auction - Les grandes marques du monde à Paris, February 2, 2023

• 1932 Bugatti T55 Cabriolet, Coachwork by Vanvooren, Chassis no. 55217, Engine no. 24 Estimate 3 - 4 Million Euro: Not sold
• 1939 Bugatti Type 57 Cabriolet Project, Chassis no. 57751, Engine no. 542 Estimate €230,000 - €260,000: Sold for €270,250 inc. premium

Artcurial Retromobile Auction Paris, France, February 3, 2023

• 1929 Type 35C Grand Prix, chassis 4920, engine 166, ex Bart Rosman. Estimate 2,500,000 - 3,500,000 €: Sold for €1,900,000 without premium (€2,216,800 including)
• 1929 Type 43, chassis 43303, engine 130, ex Bart Rosman, ex Guillaume Prick. Estimate 1,200,000 - 1,800,000 €: Sold for €1,300,000 without premium (€1,530,400 including)
• 1936 Bugatti Type 57 Atalante, Chassis 57432. Estimate 2 - 3 Million €: Not Sold (the high bidder turned out not to have the funds)
• Type 35 project, engine from chassis 4867, ex Bart Rosman, Estimate 80,000 - 120,000 €: Sold for €245,000 without premium (€292,040 including)

Artcurial Racing, Flying & Yachting Retromobile Auction Paris, France, February 5, 2023

• Dessin de construction, sold for: €3,674
• Type 57, overhaul instructions booklet and spare parts catalogue, sold for: €656
• Bugatti Baby Replica, Not sold
• Three carburettors, Not sold
• A large set of counters and gauges, sold for: €5,904
• Lot including 2 magnetos, 5 ignitors, 1 starter, 1 dynamo, sold for: €328
• Lot including fuel parts, filters and pumps, sold for: €1,181
• SEV, MAGNÉTO Type HR8, sold for: €13,120
• Two bronze Zénith carburettors type 48K741, sold for: €9,840
• Scintilla magneto Type AM8-S, sold for: €4,592
• Lot of Bugatti wooden casting moulds and patterns, water pumps a.o., sold for: €394
• Lot of mechanical parts notably for Bugatti 35/43 including 5 cylinder blocks, rods, pistons, bearings, valves, etc, sold for: €15,744
• Various mechanical and spare parts presumed to Bugatti type 40, some refurbished, including 2 rims, 3 cylinder blocks, 2 tyres, a wooden dashboard, etc., sold for: €7,216
• Bugatti cast iron vice replica with a pair of replica legs, sold for: €5,248
• Bugatti Touring aluminium 4-speed gearbox, #151, complete, sold for: €7,872
• Various Bugatti mechanical and spare parts including nuts and bolts, camshafts, clutch, engine plate, etc. , sold for: €6,560
• Bugatti Touring aluminium 4-speed gearbox, #744, partly complete and dismantled, sold for: €6,560
• Five Scintilla magnetos "Vertex", Not sold
• Three Scintilla magnetos "Vertex", sold for: €1,312

Again it seems that prices of classic Bugatti's are not rising any longer. All classic Bugatti's struggle to reach their lower estimates, or even don't.

RM - Sotheby's Arizona Auction, January 26, 2023

• 1994 Bugatti EB110 GT, Chassis No. ZA9AB01E0RCD39068, Serial No. 068, Engine No. 063
  Estimate $1,600,000 - $2,000,000: Not sold

Mecum Kissimmee Auction, USA, January 4 - 15, 2023

• 1927 Bugatti Type 37, Chassis No. 37212, Engine no. 117, Estimate $1,000,000 - $1,100,000, Max. bid $700,000
• 1936 Bugatti Type 57 Binder Coupé, Chassis No. 57295, Estimate $450,000 - $650,000, sold for $577,500

RM Sotheby's Miami auction, December 10, 2022

• 1994 Bugatti EB110 GT, Chassis No. ZA9AB01E0RCD39092, Engine No. 0122 : Not sold

Bonhams' The Bond Street Sale, London, December 16, 2022

• 1925 Bugatti Type 30 Boat tailed 2-seater by Kelsch & Cie
  Estimate £300,000 - £350,000: Sold for £345,000 inc. premium

Altlussheim (D) / Mulhouse (F)

Thanks to the synergy of two museums, which are already known for their rare Bugatti exhibition vehicles, Jean Bugatti's last French development has now been made accessible to the public. The "Open Chassis" with an all-aluminum frame of the Bugatti Type 64 was previously stored in the depot of the Musée National de l'Automobile in Mulhouse, Alsace. This is why there has not yet been an opportunity in Europe to examine this model in an exhibition.
The AUTOVISION museum is the proud owner of the matching T 64 engine, so that by merging the two Bugatti components there was now the opportunity to finally present the technology of the T 64 in an exhibition in Europe as well. So far, only the American Mullin Museum has shown an “open chassis” of the Bugatti Type 64 to the public. And there is a good reason for that, because the vehicle, which was designed as early as 1938, never went into series production at the time, so that only a complete prototype and 4 chassis were ever produced. The friendly loan from France can now be seen in the appropriate exhibition "THE LAST FRENCH BUGATTIS" at the Altlussheim Museum AUTOVISION.

Light frame for hard times
In 1938, the T64 was supposed to replace the successful T57 series, also developed by Jean Bugatti. With innovations such as a riveted chassis made of light aluminum alloy and an 8-cylinder in-line engine with a displacement of 4.4 liters, the aim was not only to continue the success story of the previous model, but also to show through the weight savings and higher performance that Bugatti always tried to produce better and better automobiles. Technical refinements such as an electrically switched Cotal or Preselect gearbox and duplex chains for driving the two overhead camshafts should also underline this in the T64. A completely new idea for the body made of aluminum and gullwing doors that had never been used before in an automobile were to make the new Bugatti a trend-setting innovation of its time. Incidentally, the T64 would have been the world's first all-aluminum series automobile.

Unfortunately, however, series production never took place, as the economic situation continued to deteriorate shortly before the Second World War, so that the Bugatti factories also lacked the necessary funds - and probably also the necessary customers - to bring a new vehicle series onto the market. In addition, Jean Bugatti had a fatal accident in 1939 while testing a Bugatti T57C. The then thirty-year-old son of the company founder Ettore was the most important Bugatti family member at the time and left a gap in these already very difficult times that could not be closed again.

Prototype survived to this day
The only T 64 ever to be completed was nevertheless used as a company taxi for special customers or family guests at the Bugatti plant in Molsheim. Those who mostly traveled to Strasbourg by train were picked up from the station there with the special prototype. It is probably thanks to this assigned task that the prototype has survived to this day and was not dismantled into its components, as is often the case with vehicle concepts. Today the only original T 64 vehicle is in the Musée National de l'Automobile Mulhouse (F).

Open technology in the AUTOVISION museum
Anyone who has already enjoyed a visit to the Altlussheim AUTOVISION museum knows that there is much more on display than is usual in ordinary automobile museums. Hardly any other exhibition in the world shows so many engines, open chassis and other details about individual transport. Museum boss Horst Schultz is therefore particularly pleased to be able to show a third open chassis with a very special history alongside the T 57 SC and the T59 in the Bugatti exhibition with the French T 64 loan.

AUTOVISION Museum
Main Street 154
D-68804 Altlussheim
Germany
Phone: 06205-307661
www.museum-autovision.de

I'm sure you have heard of our local citizen, Alfred Hielle, who was based in a small town Schönelinde and had a very prosperous textile business (Hielle & Dittrich) and who invested in Ettore Bugatti's business at his very early days. In today's terms you could say that Alfred was a start-up investor!
Ettore paid him back with cars so Alfred was the very first importer of Bugatti cars to Austria-Hungary empire, later Czechoslovakia.

Nordböhmischer Kraftfahrerbund / Severočeský Klub Motoristů, founded 1914

Pavel Bulejko, chairman

More info at www.sebr.cz

Here is a full web page dedicated just the Bugatti T32 #6 which the Juneks brought from Molsheim incl technical certs from Prague vehicle office: sebr.cz/bugatti-t32-tank-c-4059/

• 2019 Bugatti Chiron, Chassis VF9SP3V34KM795196, Estimate: €2,800,000 - €3,300,000
  Delivered new to Germany in 2019; odometer reads only 1,339 kilometres

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The current working title for our 2023 exhibition tells it as it is! We are looking back over the last 30+ years of Bugatti Trust work and celebrating educational activities, archive stories and special cars we have welcomed over the years. The photo collage above will take you back to 1989 and 1990. In preparation, we said goodbye to the beautiful Type 57 Coach Ventoux which had taken centre stage for the third and final iteration of the Jean Bugatti exhibition and welcomed a Grand Prix Bugatti last Friday with a further special car arriving this week. The exhibition opens at the end of the month and will run until Spring 2024 when our focus shifts to the important Bugatti centenary of the Type 35 and Lyon.

The month of May means exhibition change-over at the Trust and cars departing and arriving. As you know, this year we will be looking back at over 30 years of The Bugatti Trust furthering Education through the study of Ettore Bugatti and as part of the display, we are welcoming back important cars in our history. Grand Prix Racer? Check! Luxurious Grand Tourer? Check! We can't wait for you to discover the new exhibition and stories for 2023.

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Held in the impressive grounds of Château St Gerlach, 2022’s concours classes included Elegant Tourers, Racing Legends, and Future Classics & Supercars – and they featured some real treats such as a coachbuilt Delage D6 and a stunning Lancia Astura Roadster.

Visitors can expect a gala evening, classic rally, daytime picnics and plenty of charming classics.

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• 1936 Bugatti Type 57 cabriolet by Graber, 1936, chassis no. 57448, engine no. 57339, Estimate: €600.000 - 700.000

This example, chassis no. 57448 and engine no. 339, was delivered by the manufacturer as a bare chassis, model 57 (basis) on October 13, 1936 to the Swiss Bugatti agency, Bucar SA of Zurich, together with chassis 57446 and 57447, for the sum of 43,800 francs and was set up as drophead coupe from coachbuilder Graber. The specimen has a traced history; the first owner, who had ordered it from Bucar SA on October 8, 1936, was dr. Louis Dapples; banker, became chairman of Nestlé's board of directors in 1929 and represented Switzerland at the 1933 London International Economic Conference. The car, still in Switzerland, moved to the Geneva area and underwent several changes of ownership. In 1978 it was bought by Jean Victor Augfburger and, in the same year by Hans Matti, complete but in neglected condition. It remained in Switzerland until 1985, when it was imported into Italy, registered in Ravenna and purchased by the last owner who provided for a complete and detailed restoration, entrusted to the best specialists of the time: the KCA of G. Cappa for the bodywork and Gianni Torelli for the mechanical part. This last owner kept the car for thirty-seven years. Always maintained in perfect working order, it also starred in a commercial for the “Bugatti Collection” in 1994; it participates in meetings and events for historic cars and is presented today in exceptional condition. It is included in the 2009 Italian Bugatti Register book, created by the Bugatti Club Italia. ASI and FIVA certified.

The Bugatti Type 57 was unveiled at the 1934 Paris Motor Show. It was the only Bugatti model to be produced in S, C, and SC versions at the factory in Molsheim before the war. The Type 57S (Surbaissé version) was first introduced in 1935 and was a more sporting version of the car first released in 1934. Type 57C had a Roots type supercharger and type 57SC the most exclusive that combined the elements of the 57C and 57S. The Bugatti Type 57 was the first new model built under Jean Bugatti direction and it incorporated many features new to Bugatti. Its dual overhead camshaft eight-cylinder engine had dimensions of 72x100mm, offering 3,257cc displacement. It quickly grew a reputation for low noise and vibration from the engine.

The crankshaft ran in five main bearings. The camshafts were driven by a train of helical-tooth gears at the engine's rear with a further crankshaft bearing behind them. Finger cam followers minimized side thrust on the valve stems. The Type 57 also marked Bugatti's first use of a transmission fixed to the engine crankcase and a single plate clutch. The top three gears in the four-speed gearbox were constant mesh. There were four-bodystyles offered and their names were in honor of the Alps Mountain peaks: Atalante two-seat coupé, Ventoux four-seat coupé, Stelvio cabriolet and the Galibier sedan vied with the best of France's and Europe's formidable coachbuilders' creations and comprised the bulk of Type 57 production. The most exclusive body fitted to the Type 57 was the Atlantic which was penned by Jean Bugatti on the Type 57SC chassis.

The Type 57 can certainly be considered to be the most celebrated non-racing Bugatti ever built. Various coachbuilders built individual creations. The Type 57 proved to be Bugatti's most successful model, at 630 cars produced of the standard version and 40 of the Surbaissé version.

Coachbuilder Graber built nine Bugatti T57 4-seater cabriolets between 1934 and 1937. Chassis 57161 was the first; the others built in 1936 were chassis numbers 57394 - 57444 - 57448 (for sale in this lot) - 57483 and in 1937, chassis 57446 - 57447 - 57500 and 57539. For these cabriolets, the reference numbers of the Graber bodies ranged between 300 for chassis 57161 to 372 for the final chassis 57539. It seems that all these Graber Type 57s have survived. Their bodies all differ in detail. Chassis 57444 - 57448 - 57483 - 57446, in the order they were built, had a bonnet with three rows of three vertical louvers. The coachwork of chassis 57447 had five rows of five louvers placed at an angle, and 57500 was the only one to have five rows of vertical louvers. The bodies of 57171 - 57394 and 57539 were unique in their design.

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• 2020 Bugatti Chiron, Estimate: CHF3,000,000 - CHF3,500,000
  One Swiss owner from new, less than 5,500km

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Participants will arrive Sunday, June 18th.

We look forward to welcome around 80 Bugatti teams in central Switzerland. The registration forms will be available in the beginning of November.

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Below some photographs of the event, as it was held in the Baie du Somme in 2014