Just Another Bugatti? Not at This Price

Filed in archive Auctions , Design , European Specials , French Cars on December 21, 2008

Sometimes it seems that every high-end classic car auction has to have a Bugatti on the block. Considering that the French marque was a low-volume sports/racing machine, one wonders how so many survived. (On the other hand, would you have kicked Ava Gardner out of bed?) So let's show due respect to this 1937 Bugatti 57SC Atalante Coupé, which will be auctioned by RM in Arizona Jan 17, 2009 with preview Jan 16. Finished in its early 60s restoration colours of Patrol Cream and Lemon Oxide, it is one of the few 'estimate on request' cars in the sale. This Bug was once part of the mammoth Harrah collection in Reno, Nevada where it was retro-fitted with a supercharger. It is said to have a 120 mph top speed, which must have been exciting, to say the least, on those skinny period tires. And how much will it bring? A similar car went for a mere $7,920,000 at a 2008 Monterey sale. But that was before the recession.