Saturday, March 19, 2016

1937 Bugatti Sells For $9.7 Million at Amelia Island

BOLD RIDE

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1937 Bugatti 57SC Front

Modern Bugattis are definitely desirable cars, but they’ve got nothing on the classics. This 1937 Bugatti 57SC Sports Tourer is so collectible that it recently sold at the Bonhams Auction at Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance for $9.7 million.

It very nearly holds the title of most valuable Bugatti ever. A 1931 Bugatti Royale has held that record since it was sold by Christie’s for $9.8 million back in 1987. Once you adjust for inflation, that comes out to $21 million, making this car seem like a bargain.

 
1937 Bugatti 57 SC Rear

This Bugatti has a body by Vanden Plas and made its debut at the London Motor Show. Lucky owners raced it in the US and Europe before World War II and it was even featured in Bugatti’s promo materials of the day. Back then it was also red with dark gray accents rather than today’s light blue.

Power comes from a 200-horsepower supercharged 8-cylinder engine. Part of what makes this car special is its low-slung chassis and short wheelbase. It was restored back in the mid-80s and has been with the current seller for over 20 years. That seller is now sitting on a tidy pile of cash.



 

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