1927 Bugatti Type 38 Touring Car

This 1927 Bugatti Type 38 Touring Car has coachwork by Lavocat & Marsaud of Boulogne-sur-Sein, France. It is a lightweight open, four-passenger body that it has carried all its life. Its list of early owners includes Frank Willis and D.Rowe. Subsequent owners include noted collector/dealer Tiny Gould in the mid-1970s. It remained in Gould's care for only a short period of time as ownership changed to Wisconsin collector David Uihlein. While in Mr. Uihlein's care, the car was treated to a complete restoration.

In 2003 the car was sold at auction, at which time it came into the care of the present owner. During that time, it has seen very little use but has been properly maintained.

Since leaving the Molsheim factory, it has been given several replacement electrical components, including the starter, generator, and fuel pump. The original starter/generator is still with the car, in the current owner's care.

It is chassis number 38240 and was brought to the 2007 Gooding & Company auction held in Pebble Beach, CA, where it was estimated to sell for $130,000 - $170,000 and offered without reserve. Those estimates were shattered as bidding settled at $220,000, including the buyer's premium. Needless to say, the lot was sold.

By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2008