1929 Bugatti Type 46 Cabriolet

This 1929 Bugatti Type 46 was ordered new by Swiss Bugatti agent Bucar of Zurich and given its four-seat Touriste cabriolet coachwork by Gangloff. The car's first owner is believed to have been Hans Lindt of Stockholm, Sweden, who upon taking possession, would drive the Type 46 on a 1,500-kilometer journey back to his home in Stockholm. The car was later acquired by René Chatard around the mid-130s. During this time, the body was likely separated from the chassis and fitted with blackout lights and rudimentary seats (perhaps to disguise the car for World War II). In 1940, it was parked for storage; in 1955, it was sold by Chantard's widow - along with six other cars - to Jean De Dobbeleer. It was soon sold as a running chassis with a radiator, hood, and cowl to Bob Estes and Otto Zipper of Precision Motor Cars in California, who in turn sold it to the Harrah collection in Reno, Nevada, in 1956. In 1973, Ed Morgan and his son became the car's next caretaker. They left the car 'as found' for a number of years while they planned a restoration. The new coachwork was inspired by the Weinberger-bodied Type 41 Royale Cabriolet and built by Monty and Greg Montiller. The restoration was completed in 1998, and it wore a two-tone green exterior and tan leather interior. It rested on a 140-inch wheelbase chassis, the body featured sweeping Jean Bugatti-style wing fenders, and it rode on Royale-style 20-inch alloy wheels. It had a tan canvas top, an upholstered rear-mounted trunk, and dual rear-mounted spare wheel.

The newly restored Bugatti Type 46 made its debut at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in 1998, where it won a First in Class award. It later won Best in Show at the 2000 Hillsborough Concours and Most Elegant Open Car at the 2003 Palo Alto Concours. In August of 2003, the Bugatti participated in the three-day Bugatti West Coast Rally.

In 2017, the Type 46 was acquired by The Gregorie Neck Collection. Currently, it has 511 kilometers on its odometer.

By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2024