Bugatti Type 57S Atalante (57502)
The Bugatti Type 57S Atalante number 57502, built in 1937 by
History
Chassis number 57502 was completed at the Bugatti works on 5 May 1937, with the works number plate 1127-W5;[2] it then wore the British number plate DYK 5,[3] finally being re-registered as EWS 73, the number which it wore on rediscovery. The car was ordered new from the factory by Francis Curzon, 5th Earl Howe (1884–1964), a keen motor racing enthusiast, who took delivery of it on 9 June 1937 from Sorel of London, the UK agents for Bugatti. 57502 then passed through three intermediate owners before being bought in 1955 by Dr. Harold Carr (1917–2007), from Newcastle upon Tyne.[4] Passionate for machinery, aviation and adventuring, Carr suffered from
Auction house Bonhams, instructed to sell the car by the eight Carr heirs,[7] made it the centrepiece of their February 2009 sale at the Rétromobile car show in Paris.[8] Due to its rarity, low mileage and original condition, it was speculated that it could become one of the most expensive (nominal) cars ever sold at auction, at around £6 million. However, it fell short of the £3 million reserve price, selling for £2,989,495 (3,417,500 euros, US$4,408,575).[4] The car was restored, then sold for £7,855,000 ($10,433,965), at the Gooding & Co. ("Passion of a Lifetime") on 5 September 2020, making it the most expensive Type 57 ever sold at auction[9] – but by no means the most expensive Type 57 ever sold. Just a year later No. 57374 was sold to a private buyer for $30 million.[10]
References
- ^ a b Katz 2009: "In this undated image released by Bonhams, an extremely rare 1937 Bugatti Type 57S Atalante, is seen in a garage in Gosforth, England, where it was revealed by relatives after the death of the owner."
- ^ "Bugatti Trust Photo Archive Album 19 - Type 57S 104. Type 57S, Chassis # 57502, Reg. 1127-W5, Atalante". The Bugatti Trust. Archived from the original on 11 February 2009. Retrieved 1 January 2009.
T.57S Atalante with works registration number plate. Near the factory gates, Molsheim
- ^ "Bugatti Trust Photo Archive Album 19 - Type 57S 118. Type 57S, Chassis # 57502, Reg. DYK 5, Atalante". The Bugatti Trust. 1938. Archived from the original on 11 February 2009. Retrieved 1 January 2009.
Raymond Mays talking to Lord Howe. Donington Park 1938
- ^ BBC News online. 7 February 2009 [4 November 2008].
- ^ Pattinson, Rob (1 January 2009). "Family inherit Bugatti worth millions". Evening Chronicle. pp. 1+. Retrieved 1 February 2018.
- San Diego Union-Tribune. Associated Press. Retrieved 1 February 2018.
He also left behind an Aston Martin, which was sold, and a Jaguar sports car that was scrapped because it was in such poor condition.
- ^ Katz 2009: "Knight and a small number of Bugatti enthusiasts knew of Carr's proudest possession, but not the eight relatives who inherited Carr's estate."
- ^ "The 1937 Bugatti Type 57S Atalante". Bonhams. Archived from the original on 4 February 2009.
- ^ Newton, Andrew (30 December 2020). "10 Highest Auction Sales of 2020". Hagerty media. Retrieved 10 September 2021.
- ^ Vaughn, Mark (May 5, 2010). "Mullin museum is not Bugatti buyer". Autoweek. Hearst Autos, Inc. Archived from the original on 2020-10-22.
External links
- "A Sale of Exceptional Motor Cars and related Automobilia: "Automobiles d'Exception à Retromobile" - Saturday 7 February, 2009". Bonhams. Archived from the original on 16 December 2008.
- "Chassis 57502". Bugatti Builder.com (Image gallery: starts with left side profile). Archived from the original on 11 February 2009.
- TheExStig (16 April 2013). 1937 Bugatti Atalante 57S discovered in lock up (video, 8 mins. 45 secs.). YouTube. Archived from the original on 2021-12-15.