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The “barn find” of a 1937 Bugatti Type 57S Atalante, that was thought to fetch $8.7m, finally went under the hammer at Bonham’s in Paris. According to the BBC, “it eventually sold for 3,417,500 euros.” At today’s rate, that’s $4.4m . . . about half. Even barn finds don’t keep their residual value as much as they used to.
I know it’s just the angle, but the front end looks messed up; like the grill is too far to one side.
A little rubbing compound would have brought in more dough
The Type 57S Hybrid would have brought a lot more.
4.4 million is not a bad find. I’d take it.
Oh! Yeah! The “barn find” Atalante.
The flour-coated one with inflated tyres under the Bugatti (Here!) sign in the fairly dust-free looking “barn.”
They “found” it at the wrong time. Times are tough, I guess.
Too bad it couldn’t have stayed “lost” for a couple more years. Probably would have fetch that $8 mil they were hoping for.
Is the Atalante more or less beautiful than the Bentley Embiricos we saw the other day?
The barn also had working fluorescent tubes ABOVE the car and modern plastic containers on the shelves behind.
I agree on the hype as well, though suspect it was “found” a couple of years too late rather than too early.
Imagine you were super rich and could put this right next to your Veyron.
@Flashpoint,
That imagining drives me, semi-weekly, to the lottery ticket dispenser.
Damn foolishness, though I guess no more foolish than the crazy money which trades hand in other art and antiquities markets.
Bargain. Now the owner can use the 4 mil he saved to restore it. Although that might not cover it.
What was this thing worth new?
Assuming $2,000 in 1937 (a wild guess on my part), the $4.4mm price tag today adds up to an annualized return of about 11%. That’s about the same as a good stock certificate, only more difficult to carry in your pocket.
It’s relatively low mileage, 99% original condition. I think it’d be a shame if it’s restored. Just clean it up, get it running, maybe new upholstery. Things are only original once.
@ dgduris
The Bug was easily prettier than the Bentley [but, then, compare their prices new].