1927 Bugatti Type 37A Boattail Speedster

This Bugatti Type 37 was produced in March of 1927 as a Factory Works car and it is believed to have been an un-supercharged example. However, it appears to have raced at the Targa Florio in 1927 as a 37A, which meant it had a supercharger. A common practice during this era was the removal of the chassis plate from a registered car and attaching it to an unregistered car, due to the limited number of licenses awarded to race. Photos of this car with a supercharger do not appear until the mid-1940s, so perhaps only the chassis plate (fitted to another car) contested the Targa Florio.

37265 was sold in Paris by Bugatti Magasin and later raced by Anne-Cecile Rose-Itier in June of 1929 at the Montrepos Hillclimb where it finished in second place. It also raced in 1929 at the Grand Prix du Comminges and 1929 Monbazillac Hill Climb (1st Place). After the War, owner J. Pollet, a Formula One Gordini Team Driver raced in the 1946 Trois Cities Race.

Pollet installed engine 228 and participated in the 1949 Grand Prix des Frontieres. Engine 228, previously owned by Philippe de Rothschild, took 2nd place in the 1928 Grand Prix at LeMans. Rothschild sold the car to L. Pluquet, who raced engine 228 in the 1929 Grand Prix de Picardie, 1929 Grand Prix de Dieppe, 1929 Circuit des Routes Paves and the 1930 Grand Prix de Picardie.

In 1955, it was imported to the United States by Otto Zipper.

In 1966, 37265 took a class award at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.

Over the years, it had several owners, and by 2008 it was in the care of California restorer, Jan Voboril. The current owner acquired it from Mr. Voboril.

This car had been originally painted in Bugatti's French Blue, but is currently finished in white, perhaps applied while in the ownership of Otto Zipper. 37265 has the original chassis, engine, coachwork, wheels, and running components.

By Daniel Vaughan | Feb 2020