THIS seductive sports car was owned by a classic car legend and could be yours for £1.2million.
The rare drophead coupe has only done 19 miles on the clock and is now up for sale.
This luxury convertible is up for sale on the Vintage and Prestige Fine Motorcars website[/caption]
The drophead coupe only has 19 miles on the clock and was owned by a car manufacturing legend[/caption]
This 1937 Bugatti Type 57c by Vanvooren was originally owned by Ettore Bugatti[/caption]
Petrolheads will recognise the 1937 Bugatti Type 57c by Vanvooren
It was originally owned by Ettore Bugatti and was used by his eldest son Jean just moments before his fatal grash.
The historic car is currently listed with Vintage and Prestige Fine Motorcars.
With a glamourous glossy maroon finish and captivating chrome details, the vehicle’s curves are fully accentuated from the colouring.
Interior shots on the website reveal a sleek wooden steering wheel and dashboard with chrome dials and gauges and tan leather seats and door panels.
It was used as a factory demonstrator around the Bugatti automotive industry factory in Molsheim, in northern-eastern France.
The listing states: “This car has a fascinating and clear history.
“It is a 57C supercharged with the Ventoux bodywork.
This particular model, number 57529, was registered to the founder of Bugatti, Ettore Bugatti, on 28th July 1937.
According to the listing, every new development on type 57 was tested on this model, which kept features not available on any other 57 in this series.
It was described as a “rolling laboratory.”
Ettore’s eldest son, Jean Bugatti, used the vehicle as a test car and used to take it around France at high speed.
Molsheim factory guests witnessed Jean Bugatti driving at terrifyingly high speeds on the Alsace roads in France.
Jean Bugatti systematically tested possible technological advances on his 57C, while continuing to use it.
Tragically, the evening of Friday, 11th August 1939, was the day of Jean Bugatti’s fatal test drive with the 57G Tank.
The daring designer asked Robert Aumaitre, the racing course director, and Mr Joos, a mechanic, to take the 57G Tank to the test site.
Meanwhile, Jean drove the car, nicknamed “La Grise,” with his younger brother Roland Bugatti sitting beside him and two other passengers.
After Jean dropped off Roland at Duttlenheim and the other passengers a little further down the road, he parked the 57C at the test site, on the side between two trees,
“Now alone, Jean parked the 57C at the test site, on the side between two trees, and took the wheel of the 57G TANK,” the listing continued.
“Jean did several laps back and forth with Robert at his side, then asked to do one last run alone.
“This is when the fatal crash occurred.”
Ettore Bugatti was said to be extremely affected by his son’s death and refused to let anyone touch the car – which stood unused at the factory.
He even refused to sell it to his son-in-law, le Comte de Boigne.
Shortly after this, WWII started and Alsace was invaded by the Germans, forcing the Bugatti factory to stop normal car production.
After the war, Ettore’s youngest son, Roland Bugatti, registered the car in his name and used it once he took over the management of the factory.
It’s thought to be a symbolic sign that he was in the very shoes of his brother.
The current body was bought in 1999 by a famous American car collector Mr Malcolm Pray, who then gave the car a complete revamp.
Despite the body being dilapidated it remained very stylish with the open two-seat body.
Now the it’s won numerous awards and first prizes at assorted USA concours d’elegance in the USA.
It’s currently with Marque Specialist Ivan Dutton having an Overdrive fitted to make the car relaxed at modern day speeds and at the same time the body is being mounted to the above chassis 57529.
Dutton is also doing a full service and set up on the car and checking over everything mechanically.
“The body on the car is about as stylish as they come and is redolent of the most flambuoyant styling from Parisienne coachbuilders of the 1930’s,” the website describes.
“There is no question of its period authenticity or of its French origin.”
The car is in next to perfect condition and had a fascinating history[/caption]
Jean used the motor just moments before his fatal crash[/caption]
It was described as a ‘rolling laboratory’ and was used for test drives in Molsheim[/caption]
