1934 Bugatti Type 51 Grand Prix

This exciting Type 51 we are proud to offer was initially a works car driven by Gaupillat from 1931. Following his tragic accident in the Dieppe Grand Prix in 1934 the car was rebuilt by Bugatti in 1935 around a new frame (701) and sold on to the British factory agent, Jack Lemon Burton by Genao Leoz, also a factory agent in 1936. Still fitted with works prototype engine no. 9, which in its original 1931 form reputedly cost over £10,000 to develop some five times the cost of a new Rolls-Royce! The car was used by Lemon Burton, on his first outing he posted a personal best at the Lewes Speed Trials, photographed at the time by Klemantaski.

In later years the car moved through 3 further British owners before moving to America and finally returning home to France whenever it was displayed at The Musee de L'Automobiliste in Mougins. It has also been driven by the likes of Maurice Trintignant, Formula 1 world champion Phil Hill and also by Michael Bugatti in the 1983 Rallye de Monte Carlo and 5th overall in the 1984 Paris-Monaco Historic Grand Prix.

With much recent historic competition the car is eminently suitable for road or track and is offered with a V5 registration document, history file, and a recent inspection report from a noted specialist.

£350,000


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