Published: February 10, 2021, 3:55 AM
Updated: October 11, 2021, 8:57 AM
Bugatti, not Ferrari, tops the sales charts
It’s not unusual for Ferraris to be well represented among the highest-priced classic cars sold at auction in any given year. But 2020 shattered that pattern spectacularly with five separate Bugattis topping the international auction charts – all selling for more than $5-million (US). Here is a look at those chart toppers, from lowest to highest price.
(Photo courtesy of Bugatti)
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#5 - 1931 Bugatti Type 55 Super Sport by Figoni - $5,051,054(US)
The Bugatti Type 55, which made its debut at the 1931 Paris Motor Show was a road-going version of the Type 51 car. Only 38 Type 55s were built, most with bodywork designed by Ettore Bugatti’s son, Jean – but not this one.
(Photo courtesy of Bugatti)
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#5 - 1931 Bugatti Type 55 Super Sport by Figoni - $5,051,054(US)
This car was one of 15 bodied by outside coach-builders, in this case Figoni, which gives it a different appearance from most Type 55s, particularly with its high-waisted door design. It also was raced at Le Mans by Louis Chiron, which gives it impeccable provenance. The Car was sold by Bonhams, in Paris, in February 2020.
(Photo courtesy of Bugatti)
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#4 - 1928 Bugatti Type 35C - $5,224,483 (US)
The Type 35 was Bugatti’s archetypical race car and this 35C’s value was enhanced by a rich racing career, including as a factory entry at the 1928 Targa Florio. Its $5,224,483 (US) sale price set a world record for Bugatti Type 35s at auction.
(Photo courtesy of Bugatti)
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#4 - 1928 Bugatti Type 35C - $5,224,483 (US)
That provenance was supported by full documentation and an 88-year-old patina, since it was repainted, although it has benefitted from a mechanical restoration. The car was sold at Gooding’s “Passion of a Lifetime” auction at Hampton Court Palace in the U.K. in September, 2020.
(Photo courtesy of Bugatti)
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#3 - 1932 Bugatti Type 55 SS Roadster - $7,100,000 (US)
A second Type 55, this time one of 14 roadsters with Jean Bugatti-designed bodywork that included characteristic cut-down doors, achieved the third-highest sale price of the year at $7,100,000 (US).
(Photo courtesy of Bugatti)
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#3 - 1932 Bugatti Type 55 SS Roadster - $7,100,000 (US)
The car is still fitted with its original engine and chassis and its fully-documented history includes a period of ownership by one of the Rothschilds. It was sold by Bonhams at that company’s Amelia Island Concours auction in March, 2020.
(Photo courtesy of Bugatti)
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#2 - 1937 Bugatti Type 57S Atalante - $10,433,965 (US)
The second-highest price paid for a car at auction in 2020 was more than $10-million (US) for this spectacular Bugatti Atalante, one of only 17 Type 57S models built in-house with a coupe body. It was the highest auction price ever for any Type 57. This car was also sold at Gooding’s “Passion of a Lifetime” auction at Hampton Palace.
(Photo courtesy of Bugatti)
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#2 - 1937 Bugatti Type 57S Atalante - $10,433,965 (US)
The "S" in Type 57S stood for "Surbaissé," which means "Lowered," and these cars were exceptionally low for the period. Techniques employed to achieve the goal included routing the rear axle through rather than under the frame and utilizing a dry sump engine oiling system.
(Photo courtesy of Bugatti)
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#1 - 1934 Bugatti Type 59 Sports - $12,666,600 (US)
The highest price ever paid for a Bugatti at auction – more than $12-million (US) – went for this Type 59, which was the last Bugatti racing car of the prewar era. Its provenance included King Leopold III of Belgium as one of its five owners. Like the second- and fourth most expensive Bugattis of the year, it was sold at Gooding’s “Passion of a Lifetime” auction in the U.K.
(Photo Courtesy of Bugatti)
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#1 - 1934 Bugatti Type 59 Sports - $12,666,600 (US)
Beyond its royal ownership lineage, this Type 59 was a works Grand Prix car in the 1934-35 season, driven by Rene Dreyfuss to a third-place finish at Monaco and to victory in the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa. It was then converted for sports car racing and was campaigned successfully by Jean-Pierre Wimille in France in 1937. With its race-worn patina, it has earned its position as the most expensive Bugatti ever sold at auction.
(Photo courtesy of Bugatti)
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