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June 1, 2007
Fashion magnate and car collector Ralph Lauren has paid $22 million for a 1931 Bugatti Type 41, known as the Royale, according to Art & Auction. If so, the price would be the most ever paid for an automobile.
Not surprising. The "King of Cars," as designer Ettore Bugatti called it, has consistently broken records. Indeed, only six were ever built between 1929 and 1933 and they cost $45,000 in 1931! The previous record for an automobile was $17 million, also for a Royale.
Remember the fabulous 1938 Delage D8-120 Aerosport Coupe that won Best of Show in the Newport Concours d'Elegance on Monday? The Royale comes out of that same era of French super luxury cars that includes such marques as Bugatti, Delage, Delahaye, Hotchkiss and Talbot-Lago.
But even amongst that august company, the luxurious and powerful Royale stands out. It was massive - 21 feet long and weighing 3-1/2 tons with an enormous engine that created 300 horsepower. No expense was spared on any aspect, inside or out.
Meanwhile, in a related story, I will be going down to Greenwich, Conn., this Sunday to the Greenwich Concours d'Elegance and the auction of a 1938 Bugatti Type 57C Atalante coupé.
This car is extraordinary in that it has not moved from its garage space — it is now sandwiched between a old Farmall tractor and a 1949 Jaguar Mark V sedan — in a New York City suburb for 45 years, according to The New York Times. Christie’s estimates the car will sell for $300,000 to $400,000.
We shall see. It's a tough job, but someone has to do it!
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