Bugatti Type 35B Race Car Hits the Auction Block

What is considered to be the most beautiful race car of all time is to go under the hammer at Bonhams’ annual sale of Collectors' Motor Cars and Automobilia at Goodwood Festival of Speed on July 1, 2011. The vehicle in question, a 1925 Bugatti Type 35B Grand Prix two-seater, has attracted a pre-sale estimate of £400,000 – 500,000.

This Bugatti was owned by former director of the Bugatti Owners' Club and past editor of Bugantics magazine, Jack Perkins, who discovered it in 1950 at an aerodrome in Nottinghamshire.

At that time, the vehicle was being driven around for fun by the ground staff. Perkins has then stroke a cool deal, buying the Bugatti for £60. Several modifications were applied to the car, as Perkins dreamt of making it the fastest possible Type 35B. With a methanol burning engine fitted under the hood and a streamlined single-seater body, the car made its debut at Prescott, the home of the Bugatti's Club, on May 19, 1954, setting a best time of 52.15 seconds.

Perkins continued to campaign this car until his last meeting in 1988 when, aged 78, he decided to retire from the sport. During this time, the car achieved its fastest time of 46.21 seconds at the May 1981 hill climb.

After his retirement, the car was returned to its original two-seater Grand Prix specification by historic racing specialist, Rod Jolley. Perkins passed away just before the restoration was complete and, soon after, his widow, Jean, decided to exhibit the car at the Haynes Motor Museum in Somerset, where it remained until December last year.

Also in this sale is a 1926 Bugatti Type 37 Monoposto, which has attracted a pre-sale estimate of £120,000 – 160,000.