What is the general ballpark price, for an entry-level (original) Bugatti 2-door touring/street car ? What are some of the models #'s/factory designations (the cheap 2-door cars) ? I am just a curious fast window shopper.
This really should be it's own thread - nothing to do with the Grand Prix cars and could be an interesting topic. Anyway, I would imagine that the cheapest would be the Type 52. Seriously, I'm FAR from an expert, but I would guess that the most affordable path to pre-war Bug ownership would be with Types 22/23. Dave (dbw) owns or has owned one or more of these cars and can probably comment on estimated prices.
Ok, now it has its own thread. Here are some pics to give you an idea of what I'm talking about. I believe that cars similar to these can still be found - in decent condition - for five figures. Somebody correct me if I'm wrong. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
I have been following Bugatti sedans and roadsters at auctions, I would think $500,000 is an average low. From memory, I believe Ettore's personal car sold in Pebble for well over $3.5 million.
Ron, thanks for your input, but the Ettore car (57335) is a Type 57C with an attractive one-off body by Jean Bugatti. I'm afraid it's about as relevant to a discussion of these "entry level" Bugs as Manny Del Arroz's one-off Ferrari 375 MM is to a discussion on the current values of 250 GTEs. Just as with old Ferraris, there's an enormous range of values among different models of pre-war Bugattis. I haven't seen too many Type 22/23 Brescias sell at auction lately, but I'm pretty sure that the later, long-wheelbase cars aren't really bringing in half a million US. I just found what appears to be a nice example with sporting two-seat coachwork that sold for £148500 (roughly $236K US). Auction date was July 22, 2009. http://www.classic-auctions.co.uk/lotdetail.php?lotid=27354&aucid=27905&PHPSESSID=512a2923c3a8a99bd83b9a981df308ae More pics: http://www.classic-auctions.co.uk/pictures.php?&auc_salno=102C&car_carno=42477 (Interestingly, there are two pics of this car in my previous post.) Image Unavailable, Please Login
Here's another for reference. Two years ago, but a race-winning Type 23 with excellent provenance: Bonhams Hendon Sale, May 2, 2007 1923 Bugatti 1,496cc Type 22 Brescia Chassis #1612[/b] The ex-Major Bertram H Austin, Brooklands-winning 1923 Bugatti Sold at £120,300 (more than double its low estimate) http://www.motorbase.com/auctionlot/by-id/800794941/ Image Unavailable, Please Login
http://www.prewarcar.com/show_prewar_car.asp?car_id=53181 a bit challenged aesthetically......but it is a Bug..... starting price is not unrealistic......(will be a great GP car someday soon.....;-) Tritone
Looks like you're on to something. Type 44 might be a relatively inexpensive way in right now. These T44 sales aren't exactly current, but they give us an idea. I would assume that all of the wildly inexpensive grand prix cars listed here are fakes. Also, if it doesn't say "Sold," it wasn't.
2009 1927 Bugatti Type 37 Grand Prix Recreation Sports & Classics of Monterey $126,500 US Sold I thought this was a slight bargain, just for the parts alone. Based on my limited experience with Bugatti, it looked real enough. It had a Bugatti Club serial number, which I can only assume meant that they have given it some sort of "stamp of approval" (for what that's worth - I really cant say).
Thanks for that listing. I hadn't looked at Bugatti prices for a very long time, and I am surprised at the seemingly reasonable levels for entry into the straight eight club.
Am also surprised that prices are "fairly"affordable on some models....for me though the pick has to the the type 57 Atlante, there really is nothing to compare it to!
I have no idea how anybody, can buy a recreation for good money. You can buy so many nice original legacy cars, for 25K and up. How about a Porsche 930 for 25K ? The Islero and GTC/4 for less than six figures - scarce and the real deal ! I have no experience with any pre-war cars. I am sure a lot of people have different answers, on what is considered original and what is not.
I remember an RM auction a few years ago where they had a Type 35 recreation (could be the one in 2007 that went for $605K). The commentator mentioned that it had more genuine Bugatti parts than some "real" cars. Considering that these cars were literally hand made, one at a time, it is completely possible to build an accurate recreation that except for the patina would be equivalent to an antique. While not as valuable as the "real thing" it would still command a pretty penny. As long as nobody tries to pass it off as a long lost "barn find" no harm is done.
A couple of additional Type 44 sales: H&H Motor Car Sale, May 24, 2006 Lot 041: 1930 Bugatti Type 44 Drophead Coupe Sold: £73000 http://www.motorbase.com/auctionlot/by-id/698826411/ Gooding & Company Pebble Beach Auction, August 16, 2008 Lot 028: Bugatti Type 44 Dual-Cowl Phaeton Sold: $264000 http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z16776/Bugatti-Type-44.aspx I was at the Gooding sale and remember this one. It was very nicely restored but must have suffered from overheating issues because it had a modern water temp gauge and an added switch for what was likely an axillary cooling fan.
2007 1932 Bugatti T35B Recreation The Ponder Collection $258,500 US Sold 2007 1934 Bugatti T55 Roadster Recreation The Ponder Collection $693,000 US Sold I saw those two cars. I think the T55 was real or was presented as such if its the black and red car I'm thinking of.
there's only a few ways to get an "entry level" bug these days...inherit one, marry into one, buy a pickup truck full of bits and spend several years putting it together, or maybe buy a replica, tho it seems prices are up on those...even the most modest of brecia models will demand a good price when years ago they were pretty cheap..much like a 356 speedster [right tritone??] altho my next project is indeed a late [front brakes] brescia it really is a car for old farts like myself..no matter what anyone might say, the true essence of bugatti is a gp car...he made big chassis to sell but his heart was in "pur sang" and it shows in the racing cars. as easy to drive around the block as riding last years triple crown winner thru the park. even the most jaded drivers light up when it comes to bugs..my most memorable bug moment was at laguna seca years ago..i was running the living sh#t out of the t37 [on 710X90 clinchers] and saw a blue dot in the mirror as i passed under the dunlop bridge..i drifted to the outside line, hanging on for dear life and p hill went by on the inside at 2X my speed in a t54..as he passed he lifted his right hand and waved...in one alcohol reeking moment he was gone... later in the day he came to my pit and we talked for 20 minutes or so on the advantages/problems of beaded edge tires on gp bugattis...with a few of those moments under my belt , i'll settle for a brescia in my golden years. oh..i think you have to cough up 100k+ to get a low-end t23...and it's like having a '57 vw instead of a 356 carrera..kinda the same, but not quite.
Two of the cars mentioned in this thread belonged to one of the posters in the thread (not me). One was a total replica and one of the best you'd ever see which sold at Pebble Beach this year for next to nothing and the other was put together with original drive train both with great care of attention to detail. You know who you are!! Step forward.
1927 Bugatti Type 37 Grand Prix Recreation LOT: 589 Estimate: $100,000-$150,000 US Chassis No. BC50 Offered Without Reserve AUCTION RESULTS: Lot was Sold at a price of $126,500 http://www.rmauctions.com/CarDetails.cfm?SaleCode=MO09&CarID=r315&Currency=USD
Yep, that's one. It was raced at Monterey Historics for several years and was seen at American Bugatti Club events.
well..i suppose that would be me. both cars are interesting stories in themselves..at some point however, i would love to take on the "replica" haters..as i believe a total replica is equal to the real item [properly done..that's the catch]
