BUGATTI made a great many different models through the years, starting with the Type 2 in 1900 (there was no Type 1) right up to Type 57 in 1938 — but the numbers weren’t always in strict sequence.
From 1914 to 1926, for example, came Types 13, 22 and 23 and a Type 13 Brescia gave the brand its first win at Le Mans in 1920.
Most models were sports-oriented, but were produced in small numbers, all of them now extremely valuable.
Just-arrived on the world market is chassis number: 40237 with engine number: 124, a beautiful T40 sports coupe with a unique body.
It arrived in Switzerland in 1926 as a rolling chassis and was fitted with an eye-catching art deco-style Swiss-made body.
It has matching numbers and has a well-documented history.
The current owner bought the car in 1993.
Before then, it was part of the Walter Grell Sen. car collection, also in Switzerland, from 1960 to 1993.
With the help and support of renowned Bugatti specialists a fully documented restoration was completed in 2000.
Since then, this little beauty has served its owner well as an enjoyable driver for over 20 years.
This unique Bugatti has featured in several magazine articles like the vintage car magazine Swiss Classics and is on the front page of the Bugatti Type 40 book by Barry Price and Jean Louis Arbey.
Highlights of 40237, apart from its art deco body, include:
- all relevant documents confirm that the chassis number is 40237 and the engine number 124.
- The number 124 appears on components such as the engine sump, gearbox, chassis and front axle, and most of the former owners of the car are known and the registration plates follow this ownership.
- Documents with the car include the full restoration, registration of the car in the archives of Hugh Conway, The Bugatti Owners Club England (BOC) and the Swiss Bugatti Register published by the brand specialist Hans Matti.
- It comes with customs and importation documents, period photographs from previous owners as well as a picture of Bugatti 40237 in front of the Bugatti residence in Molsheim, France.
The car will probably require some maintenance and adjustment in order to pass a regular homologation process and this has been taken into consideration with an asking price of 340,000 euro — or about $474,000 Aussie dollars.
It’s located in Basel, Switzerland, so you might have to hang on until the pandemic is under control if you want to go and have a look.
Bon chance.
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