As incredible as it may seem, amid the financial crisis, the spectacular vehicle found a new owner who was ready to pay no less than $4.4 million for it on Saturday at an auction in Paris, news.aol.com reported. Thus, the exquisite car was sold on behalf of the family of its last owner, Dr. Harold Carr at Bonhams' Retromobile car show and sale in Paris.
As we previously reported, the supercar of which only 17 were built was more than amazing for its time, going up to 130 mph, while most other cars reached only about 50 mph. After being buried in a garage in England for 50 years, the Bugatti Type 57S Atalante Coupe has now a new home in an European collector's garage.
Back 50 years ago, the rare vehicle was driven by the orthopedic surgeon for several years until it was abandoned in his garage in Gosforth, near Newcastle in northern England. The vehicle lay there among wrecks and unuseful tools until his death in 2007.
Nevertheless, Dr Carr wasn't the car's first owner. The vehicle is also valuable because it was originally owned by Earl Howe, a prominent British race car driver. Even more importantly, it seems its original equipment is intact and consequently, it can be restored without relying on replacement parts. Howe personalized the car by fitting his own bumpers, rear-view mirrors on the A-pillars and a luggage rack, which made the car's auction price increase even more.
Speaking about the beneficiary of the money, the $4.4 million will go to Dr Carr's nephew and his family. That we would call a truly lucky family...
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