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Garage Yields Dusty Surprise: $4.3M Bugatti

By Harry Kimball,  Newser Staff

Posted Jan 2, 2009 2:58 PM CST
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(Newser) – A rare Bugatti sports car found in a late British doctor’s garage will be auctioned off next month and is expected to fetch at least $4.3 million for his surprised relatives, the AP reports. The Type 57S Atalante, built in 1937, is one of only 17 ever made. This particular car was also owned by the Earl Howe, a pillar of British racing. At a time when most cars hit about 50 mph, the Atalante topped out at a scorching 130 mph.

“It has all the finest attributes any connoisseur collector could ever seek in one of the ultimate road-going sports cars from the golden era of the 1930s," said an exec of Bonhams auction house.

An extremely rare 1937 Bugatti Type 57S Atalante is seen in a garage in Gosforth, England, where it was found by relatives after the death of the owner, an elderly doctor who last used it around 1960.
An extremely rare 1937 Bugatti Type 57S Atalante is seen in a garage in Gosforth, England, where it was found by relatives after the death of the owner, an elderly doctor who last used it around 1960.   (AP Photo)
The Bugatti Veyron, perhaps the most expensive new car in the world today.
The Bugatti Veyron, perhaps the most expensive new car in the world today.   (AP Photo)
A 1951 Bugatti Type 101 Coupe, one of the last Bugatti cars built.
A 1951 Bugatti Type 101 Coupe, one of the last Bugatti cars built.   (AP Photo)
A man poses with a 1938 Bugatti T57SC Corsica roadster.
A man poses with a 1938 Bugatti T57SC Corsica roadster.   (AP Photo)
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COMMENTS
Showing 1 of 1 comment
Guest
Jan 3, 2009 8:20 PM CST
Well. we can wonder if Jay Leno will be bidding for it. This looks like one of those rare items he would like for his garage. He's got one but it appears to be a later model www.2buyitnow.com

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Classic and Performance Car

One estimate has the car fetching up to $8.75 million
Motor Authority

On Bugatti's current supercar, the Veyron
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sports cars • England • auction • Bugatti • cars • antique

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