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2009 is turning into a good year if you're the market for ultra-rare, ultra-historic, ultra-expensive metal. We've already seen the 1967 Ferrari 330 P4, Hitler's Fiat 2800, 1939 Auto Union D-Type, 1964 Shelby Daytona Cobra Coupe and the record-breaking 1957 Ferrari 250 Testarossa.
But this might be the rarest, historicalest, expensivest of the bunch. This is Ettore Bugatti's own car, the 1936 Bugatti Type 57C Coupe... and it's up for auction in August.
It's a bit special, this one: the car was presented by Bugatti factory workers to Ettore - who founded Bugatti in 1909 - on his 55th birthday. During the Second World War, the car was hidden from trouble in Bugatti's French factory before being sold on in 1950.
The Type 57 has barely been used, and never restored - which means it's all original. Original and beautiful.
Original, beautiful and, undoubtedly, seriously expensive. Gooding - the auction house putting the Type 57 under the hammer on August 15 at the swanky Pebble Beach concourse - won't speculate on what the Bugatti might fetch, but hasn't set a reserve. Which means you might just snap up a bargain.
Unlikely, though - we're told that the Type 57 is expected to get close to the Testarossa's £8m sale price.
Leaving aside the money for a second, here's a Bugatti teaser for you: given the choice, would you take one of these... or a Veyron?
Now watch Clarkson race back from Italy in a Veyron – against James and Richard flying themselves in a little plane:
Open Car Bar
What do you think?
Want to comment on this?
kingrocky commented on this article
at 07:30 pm on 05 June 2009
It doesnt look as good as the Ferrari Testarossa and thats why I think it wont be worth as much as it. However it is good for its days. Just one question though. Where are the side mirrors?
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carguytom commented on this article
at 07:41 pm on 05 June 2009
i would take the veyron, even though i am not a big fan of the car. old cars are inferior to new cars full stop!
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/dev/zenz commented on this article
at 12:08 am on 06 June 2009
There is no doubt that the Veyron is an astonishing car. However, I seriously doubt wether it truly embodies the spirit of Bugatti. In the mid 60s car producing activity ceased and then the car brand was more or less speculated on -leading to the ghastly EB110- and then VW bought it. There's no pedigree in the Veyron, it's "just" a damn good exercise in making the best car thinkable. The Type 57 however... What I would choose is irrelevant as I probably never will have the means to support either car more than 24 hours. That is if I would NOT drive my hypothetical possession.
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Horsepowerrrr commented on this article
at 09:23 am on 06 June 2009
I love Bugattis. Time to rob a bank.
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evilkeso commented on this article
at 10:22 am on 06 June 2009
This is Ettore's Bugatti, the Veyron might be the superior car but it is only second fiddle to the founder's own car.
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