1926 Bugatti Type 37 Grand Prix Exceptional Provenance Race Ready Condition

Just In- Call for Top Consideration.

The Bugatti Type 35 is an iconic race car design produced by Bugatti at their Molsheim premises between 1924 and 1930. It was extremely successful when raced by the factory works team. It was also bought by a diverse roster of privateer clientele from around the world. It pioneered the concept of a holistically conceived, race-ready car available for purchase.

The arch/egg-shaped radiator is emblematic, as is the rear of the car. The tapered stern has been called a 'Bordino tail' and Ettore Bugatti may have been influenced by the shape of the earlier Fiat 804 driven and modified by Pietro Bordino. The car has also become synonymous with being the first to use cast alloy wheels.

The Type 35 was phenomenally successful, winning over 1,000 races in its time. It took the Grand Prix World Championship in 1926 after winning 351 races and setting 47 records in the two prior years. At its height the Type 35 averaged 14 race wins per week. Bugatti won the Targa Florio for five consecutive years, from 1925 through 1929, with the Type 35.

The Type 37 introduced in 1926 used the same chassis and bodywork as the full-power Type 35, but were mostly delivered with wire wheels. Fitted with a new 1.5 litre straight-4 engine, it was easier to maintain for many privateer drivers. This engine was a SOHC three-valve design and produced 60 bhp. The same engine went on to be used in the Type 40.

Around 223 Type 37s were built.

This car is the 3rd car built-the last of 3 prototypes-one other of which survives- so its the 2nd oldest or lowest numbered example. According to research provided by David Sewell, the car was built in October 1925 and dispatched to the Paris Dealer in January of 1926. The car passed through a few French owners before being imported to England in 1938 by London Bugatti Dealer Jack Lemon Burton, who sold the car in 1939 to a Mr. T.B. O'Reilly after the outbreak of WWII, when gas rationing caused used car prices to fall. The car remained in England passing through a couple owners before being sold to Charles Gale of Ace Service Station-an experienced Bugatti mechanic in 1950. The car then came to America under the care of Jack Fritsche of Bryn Marr, PA. The car was first listed in the American Bugatti Club Register in 1974 owned by C. Daehl of West Virginia. The Seller purchased the car from the heirs of Mr. Daehl in 2012. The car had been stored for many years in a partially disassembled state with a Brooklands Exhaust and Windscreen fitted. The Seller embarked on a ground up nut and bolt restoration to exacting standards under the tutuledge of noted Bugatti expert Bart Rossman-owner of Type 37 #37102.The Engine was rebuilt by R&R Lumens under his watch using the best parts available with the charge to build a stout and powerful engine. Producing now roughly 90 HP, the engine features some very rare and hard to find original parts like the Barrel Throttle Caburator, Delco 12 Volt Coil, and Star Engineering Radiator. New Wheels were provided by Richards Brother with correct Blockley tires.
The Body was in excellent condition and required only correcting modifications made during the cars time in England, including a new front valance, and cowl flare. All removed sheet metal was retained and is with the car. The Body was finished in Nitrocellulose Lacquer as original and great effort was made to match the very light blue color the early Type 37s were painted. Tough Irish Leather hides were used for the upholstery. The result is one of the finest and correct early Type 37's in existence.

Upon completion the car debuted at Amelia Island in 2017 where it took First in Class, also doing so at the inaugural Audrain Concours, and at the Gather on the Green Show in conjunction with the Elkhart Lake Historics. Since its Concours appearances, the car was subsequently campaigned on the Vintage Race circuit for the past 3 years. The car has never missed a beat and remains in race ready, as well as Concours condition.

Offered with incredible documentation and provenance, original Fenders and Headlights, the Brooklands Exhaust and Windscreen and other valuable spares, this is a rare opportunity to acquire a legendary and important Bugatti Race Car.