To Be OFFERED AT AUCTION WITHOUT RESERVE at RM Sothebys' The Guyton
Collection event, 4 - 5 May 2019.
Estimate:
$200,000 - $300,000
- One of Mr. and Mrs. Guyton's favorite automobiles
- Very attractive restoration, with well-known post-war
history
- Fitted with its original engine
- Classic Car Club of America (CCCA) Full Classic
The Type 40 was introduced in May 1926 as the successor to the
famed voiturette, the Brescia Bugatti. The 1,496-cc motor proved to
be very reliable and strong, making it popular with Bugatti's
customers. Some 780 examples were built, with Jean Bugatti taking
the first roadster for himself. Today the survivors are highly
sought after by Bugatti enthusiasts, as they combine reliability
and durability with the marque's famous, unique handling and
driving characteristics.
The current American Bugatti Club (ABC) Register notes that chassis
no. 40661 was produced in January 1928, with engine no. 565 and a
factory-made Grand Sport body. When an order was placed on 10
September of that year by Lyon agents Christy, Panguad and
Monestier, this car was so-assigned, and was collected at Molsheim
and driven to Lyon by Jean Tisseyre on garage plates 1655 WW5.
Tisseyre is believed to have been an employee at Bugatti or at the
garage in Lyon.
By the early post-war era the car had made its way stateside and
was owned by one Joe Dickey, who sold it to Carlton Coolidge of San
Francisco. Mr. Coolidge, an avid sports car enthusiast, is a
longtime member of the ABC, and this car was noted in his ownership
in the Club's second Register. While owned by Mr. Coolidge the
Bugatti was restored to its present appearance, in iconic French
Racing Blue with body-color front axle and springs, and
chrome-finished wire wheels. The body conformed, as it does today,
very near the original Grand Sport design, though much of the inner
woodwork is new and it is obvious significant restoration was
required; in addition, some of the gauges have been updated.
The Type 40 was eventually received by Mr. Coolidge's ex-wife,
Cynthia, in their divorce, and sold to the Blackhawk Collection,
from which it passed to Fred Guyton in the same transaction that
added the Rolls-Royce Piccadilly Roadster to the collection.
Over the years, this was a particular favorite of Mr. Guyton and
his wife, Beverly, and was occasionally shown at Midwestern
concours, including at the 2012 Celebration of Automobiles at the
Indianapolis Motor Speedway, for which it was freshly painted and
mechanically sorted by D&D Classic Automobile Restoration;
receipts for this work are on file. Mrs. Guyton recalls that the
opportunity to drive the Bugatti on the famous "Brickyard" was one
of the great thrills of her husband's life.
This should be one of the most entertaining automobiles in a new
owner's collection - and a true crowd favorite, whether it is being
driven at Indianapolis, or not!To view this car and others
currently consigned to this auction, please visit the RM website at
rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/gc19.