Description
Delivered new in France
Single family ownership from circa 1945-2005
Present ownership since 2005
Professionally restored 2005/ 2006
A many-time international rally participant, including Mille Miglia
Bugattis encapsulate concepts of engineering which, once seen, change your ideas radically and definitively. Drive them, and you realise that each car is form and engineering in equilibrium, and a work of art.
William Stobbs, Les Grandes Routires.
By the early 1930s, Ettore Bugatti - 'Le Patron' - had established an unrivalled reputation for building cars with outstanding performance on road or track, the world's greatest racing drivers enjoying countless successes aboard the Molsheim factory's products and often choosing them for their everyday transport. Bugatti's origins, though, were a far cry from the glamorous world of Grands Prix.
Italian-born engineer Ettore Bugatti had learned his trade with De Dietrich, Mathis and Deutz before setting up his own factory in 1910 at Molsheim in Alsace, which was then part of Germany. While with Deutz he designed the Type 10, its number reflecting his nine previous designs, and this would serve as the prototype for the first Molsheim-built Bugatti: the Type 13. Introduced in 1910 and the first Bugatti production car, the Type 13 was powered by a four-cylinder, single-overhead-camshaft, 8-valve engine of 1, 327cc, which drove via a four-speed gearbox and was mounted in a short-wheelbase chassis carrying a simple open two-seater body. Making its debut at the 1910 Paris Salon, the Type 13 was described by The Autocar as a most delightful looking runabout.
Developed from the first Bugatti to be built at Molsheim - the aforementioned Type 13 of 1910 - the Type 13 Brescia took that name following the factory's first four places at the 1921 Italian Grand Prix for Voiturettes, held at the eponymous racetrack in Lombardy. Longer wheelbase Type 22 and Type 23 models were made, both of which used the single-overhead-camshaft 16-valve Brescia engine and were built alongside 8-valve Petit Pur Sang versions.
Introduced in 1926, the Type 40 Bugatti succeeded the Brescia types, being built on a longer wheelbase and equipped with a more powerful engine. Virtually identical to that used in the Type 37 Grand Prix car, the latter was a four-cylinder unit displacing 1, 496cc and incorporating an all-plain-bearing bottom end with five mains. A single overhead camshaft operated three valves per cylinder (two inlets, one exhaust) and the Type 40's maximum power output of 45bhp or thereabouts was transmitted to the rear wheels via a separate four-speed gearbox. A total of 830 Type 40s had been made when production ceased in May 1931, with a further 40 Type 40As completed with the 1, 627cc engine by the end of that year. It is estimated that fewer then 200 survive today.
This Bugatti Type 40, chassis '40347', was delivered new to the Bugatti showroom in Paris. Its first owner later sold the Type 40 to the Bugatti agent in Toulouse, who sold it on in 1945. The Bugatti would remain with the family of a former Peugeot dealer in Beauvais in the Oise region of northern France from then until 2005 when it was purchased by our vendor.
The Bugatti was in very poor condition when acquired; its Vanvooren cabriolet bodywork was no longer salvageable, so it was replaced with a 'Grand Sport' body built by the Touraine restoration workshops. Strictly original, the chassis and all mechanical components were dismantled and carefully restored. Engine rebuilding was entrusted to the specialized Novo workshops, and involved fitting a new crankshaft and cylinder block. A more modern intake pipe and carburettor were fitted also, contributing to a superior performance. The removed components - cylinder block, crankshaft, intake pipe and carburettor - will be included in the sale.
Following the restoration's completion, a FIVA Identity Card was issued on 17th December 2006 and since then the Type 40 has taken part in numerous international rallies. The car is offered with French registration papers and the aforementioned FIVA ID Card.
NOTICE COLLECTIONS, TRANSPORT AND STORAGE Purchases will only be released when cleared funds are received.
MOTOR CARS & MOTORCYCLES
All vehicles must be collected from the Bonhams|Cars Marquee by 12noon on Monday 9 October 2023. Customers must notify BY EMAIL ONLY to Suzanne Kress , using the button below, no later than 8pm on the day of the Sale.
Please note that if Suzanne Kress hasn't received your notification on Sunday evening, all vehicles will be automatically removed to a temporary storage facility by the logistics company EXCLUTRANS BV on Monday 9 October at your expense and risk.
ADMINISTRATION AND UPLIFT FROM THE VENUE
€185 + VAT per motor car/ motorcycle
STORAGE CHARGES
First 14 days
€25 + VAT per motor car/ motorcycle per day
Payment of the uplift & storage charges and transport must be arranged with EXCLUTRANS BV. Collection is strictly by appointment only and at least 24-hours notice must be given.
POINT OF CONTACT TO ORGANISE STORAGE FEES' PAYMENT & COLLECTION
THEO VAN DEN EECKHOUT – EXCLUTRANS BV
+32 9 232 01 71
using the button below
POINT OF CONTACT FOR CUSTOMS CLEARANCE
JORIS EYSERMANS - FIBONACCI
+32 460 96 18 40
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POINT OF CONTACT REGARDING THE ORIGINAL REGISTRATION DOCUMENTS OF YOUR PURCHASE(S)
SUZANNE KRESS – BONHAMS|CARS
+33 1 42 61 10 11
Susing the button below
POINT OF CONTACT REGARDING PAYMENTS
CHERYL UGGLES - BONHAMS|CARS – CREDIT CONTROLLER
+44 the details below
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IMPORTANT CARS UNDER CUSTOMS BOND
Lots 103, 104, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 119, 124, 134, 145, 150, 151, 155, 169, 185, 186
• Please note that for lots which are subject to the normal local duty/ import tax on Hammer Price : as Bonhams|Cars is the guarantor of the customs duties and taxes clearance, these motor cars cannot be released to the buyer or his transporter immediately after the sale.
• For these cars, collection by the buyer or a third party is only possible if import taxes are paid.
• These motor cars cannot be released to the buyer or his transporter immediately after the sale.
• Please keep in mind that it takes a couple of days to clear customs.
• Please send us from now your clearance instructions.
For all enquiries relating to Customs, be they administrative or legal, please contact:
FIBONACCI
Joris Eysermans
+32 460 96 18 40
using the button below
