Bugatti Typ 37 to bardziej przystępna cenowo wersja legendarnego Bugatti Typ 35 Grand Prix. Model z 1926 roku dzieli podwozie i piękne nadwozie ze swoim większym bratem. Zamiast ośmiocylindrowego silnika rzędowego, posiada silnik czterocylindrowy z jednym wałkiem rozrządu w głowicy. Jednostka ta dostarcza 60 KM za pośrednictwem czterobiegowej manualnej skrzyni. Zbudowano najprawdopodobniej tylko 220 egzemplarzy tego modelu. Historyk marki Pierre-Yves Laugier podaje, że silnik o numerze „252” został zbudowany w grudniu 1927 roku i połączony z podwoziem 37363 w następnym miesiącu. W liście z fabryki z grudnia 1956 r. (dostępnym w aktach) odnotowano, że samochód opuścił Molsheim 29 września i udał się do Limoges, gdzie został dostarczony pierwszemu właścicielowi, dealerowi Bugatti – Léonowi Boucherowi. Podwozie 37363 nie zostało formalnie zarejestrowane aż do maja 1934 roku, jeżdżąc początkowo z tablicami rejestracyjnymi dealera. Co ciekawe, jego historia jest w pełni znana. Jednym z ciekawszych epizodów z życia tego Bugatti jest fakt, że w 1958 roku, wzięło ono udział w ówczesnym odpowiedniku Le Mans Classic, gdzie poprowadził je George Delaroche, uczestnik 24-godzinnego wyścigu Le Mans w 1934 roku. Typ 37 pojawił się również na pierwszym publicznym wydarzeniu zorganizowanym na stałym torze Bugatti Le Mans Circuit w 1966 roku. W maju 2009 roku nr 37363 został wystawiony na Międzynarodowym Spotkaniu Bugatti w Maremma, gdy producent świętował swoje stulecie. Samochód zakupiony przez paryskiego kolekcjonera w czerwcu 2013 roku, ostatnie prace renowacyjne przeszedł w Garage Novo w Marolles-en-Hurepoix, specjalistycznym warsztacie Bugatti. Dziś wystawiony na aukcji wyceniony został na 980 tysięcy do 1,3 miliona euro, a licytowany będzie już 5 lutego w Paryżu.

Remi Dargegen ©2024 Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s

Link: https://rmsothebys.com/auctions/pa25/lots/r0041-1929-bugatti-type-37/

1929 Bugatti Type 37
€980,000 – €1,300,000 EUR
Chassis No. 37363
Engine No. 252
Registration: French Certificat d’Immatriculation
Location: France | Paris, France

One of approximately only 220 examples of the Type 37 built from 1926 to 1930
Matching-numbers 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine making 60 horsepower is paired with a four-speed manual gearbox
Known ownership history from new in France; retained by prominent collector Jean-Michel Cérède for 43 years and bought by the consignor in June 2013
Attended the 1966 opening of the Bugatti Circuit and 2009 International Bugatti Meeting
Documented and inspected by renowned marque historian Pierre-Yves Laugier

Paris 2025, Lot 250
To be offered on Wednesday, 5 February 2025

A more attainable version of the legendary Bugatti Type 35 Grand Prix, the Type 37 of 1926 shared its bigger brother’s chassis and beautiful bodywork. Trading a straight-eight engine for a new single overhead camshaft inline four-cylinder motor, it delivered 60 horsepower via a four-speed manual transmission. It is thought that only 220 examples were completed.

Marque historian Pierre-Yves Laugier reports that the engine numbered “252” was built in December 1927 and mated to chassis 37363 the following month. A letter dated December 1956 from the factory (available on file) notes that the completed car left Molsheim in September 1929 before being driven to Limoges to be delivered to its first owner, Bugatti dealer Léon Boucher. A regular hill climb entrant, he is said to have a hit 180 km/h on a stretch of road between Paris and Limoges aboard his Type 43 Grand Sport.

Chassis 37363 was likely spotted in public wearing dealership numberplates, since it was not formally registered until May 1934, when it was acquired by Mr André Fayette of Paris. The Type 37 then returned to Limoges in August 1935, having been bought by 21-year-old Jean-Pierre Labuze. Remaining in the city, the car was purchased by Maurice Jean Gaume in the spring before an August 1936 sale to entrepreneur Jean Benoit.

Come June 1946, the car was residing in Paris and surfaced again in April 1951 under the care of car and motorcycle repair business owner, Jean Renard. He sold the Type 37 to journalist Jacques Levy before, in December 1955, it was purchased by Yves Leriche. The following December, chassis 37363 moved to fellow Saint-Cloud resident, Francis Muel.

Mr Muel also owned a Type 37A, chassis 37374. When the supercharged car was damaged by fire, he swapped the two chassis plates. The example offered here then took part in the 1958 equivalent of the Le Mans Classic, where it was driven by George Delaroche, the runner-up in the 1934 edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Muel had the engine rebuilt in time for his wedding before selling at the end of 1961, with the car registered in the December by Jean-Michel Cérède of Vésinet. The collector retained chassis 37363 for the next four decades. Notably, during his custodianship, this Type 37 appeared at the first public event held at the permanent Bugatti Le Mans Circuit in 1966.

The car was sold to an enthusiast in Normandy in February 2004, at which point it was mechanically and cosmetically recommissioned. In May 2009, chassis 37363 was exhibited at the International Bugatti Meeting in Maremma as the manufacturer celebrated its centenary. Meanwhile, the owner of the Type 37A called upon the expertise of Laugier, which ultimately led to both cars being formally paired with their original chassis plates.

Purchased by the Paris-based consignor in June 2013, the car received restoration work from Bugatti specialist Garage Novo in Marolles-en-Hurepoix. This Type 37—complete with its original chassis and plate, plus cam cover numbered “252”—boasts a fascinating known history and is presented with beautiful patina. It would make for a wonderful addition to any discerning collection.