Rare monster coupe from the 1930s found...

[Volpone]

Rare 1937 Bugatti Supercar Found in English Garage
Friday, January 02, 2009
AP

LONDON — An extremely rare 1937 Bugatti has been found in a garage in England and is expected to draw a record price when it is auctioned in Paris next month.

The dusty but intact Bugatti Type 57S Atalante is one of only 17 ever made. It had a top speed of 130 mph at a time when most cars could only go half as fast.

The powerful two-seater car from the heyday of the celebrated Bugatti marquee is expected to be sold for more than 3 million pounds ($4.3 million).

It was hidden away in the garage of an elderly doctor who last used it around 1960. His relatives found it after his death.

British race car driver Earl Howe was the car's first owner.

It's like someone found the last Vincent Black Shadow in someone's garage--if the Shadow were a car, not a motorcycle AND it was made in the 30s, not the 50s AND they only ever made 17 of them. :smfcool:

 

[Conchaga]

I'd check for rust spots, first.

I'm sure the exhaust manifold is completely gone.

 

[Ramen]

Time to put a wing and some spinners wit da beemz on it. :yes:

 

[Ancalagon]

Holy shit! I was just talking about this yesterday. Well not this car, but Ralph Lauren's.

 

[Volpone]

So how many of the 17 are still out there? And can you imagine the reaction when you pop down to the local Bugatti dealership to see if they have an exhaust manifold in stock for it?

 

[Gagh]

They've put the car on show in Hampshire before its auction early next month. A few of us dropped by and took a look as we were passing through. Although the rust had got some areas pretty bad, most notable the spokes on the wheels, the motor was in remarkable shape considering how long it had been left.

 

[starguard]

I wonder will they try to start it up!

 

[Gagh]

No idea. I doubt the engine is able to do so without replacement.