Bugatti is known for breaking records. In its early years it was unstoppable in Grand Prix racing, in its latter years it has been the king of speed and now it can claim the crown for timeless appeal. For the first time ever, the most valuable five cars to be sold at auction came from one single brand: Bugatti.
Bugatti Type 59 Sports – $12.68m
The Bugatti Type 59 Sports was built as a racing car for the factory team, winning the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa in the process. Some of the biggest names in Bugatti racing drove this car, including Louis Chiron, Robert Benoist, René Dreyfus, Jean-Pierre Wimille, and Achille Varzi. After completing a successful racing season, the Type 59 was converted into a sports car by Bugatti and in 1937, it was purchased by King Leopold of Belgium.
Bugatti Type 57S Atalante – 10.44m EUR
Only 17 Bugatti Type 57S examples were given the popular Atalante body. It is equipped with a turbocharged 3.3-liter 8-cylinder engine that can produce up to 175PS.
The example is a truly distinguishing model that the British racing driver and Bugatti enthusiast Earl Howe purchased in 1937.
Bugatti Type 55 Super Sport – $7.1m
In total, Bugatti constructed 38 units of Type 55 Super Sport chassis, and only 14 of them had a Jean Bugatti designed roadster body. Of the 14, only 11 are known to still exist today.
This Type 55 was ordered new by the third Baron Rothschild, Victor Rothschild, where it remained in his collection for decades.
Bugatti Type 35C – $5.23m
The Bugatti Type 35C Grand Prix, chassis 4871, was initially made for the 1928 Targa Florio.
The example is more than 90 years old and, since 1932, it has only had four owners. It remains preserved in its original, unrestored condition. The Type 35C that Bugatti produced up until 1930 had an 8-cylinder in-line engine, producing 128hp and allowing for a top speed of around 120mph.
