Chassis number 49570 was built at the Molsheim factory at the end of May 1933, using a long 3.22-metre wheelbase chassis and it was fitted with engine number L458. The running chassis cost 38.000 French francs and was invoiced to the European agent B.U.C.A.R. of Zurich, being transported by rail on 21 November 1933.

The first owner was a car dealer, later Jaguar agent, called N.V.J.W. Lagerwij of La Haye, Holland. It was registered "HX 31549", and in early 1934 it was displayed in pride of place on the Van Rijswijk stand, No. 100, at the Amsterdam International Motor Show at the RAI. It was described in the 15 February 1934 issue of magazine De Auto as having a black body, black leather hood, and red leather seats.

Lagerwij did not keep it long as it was sold to Mr E. Blaisse. It appears it passed to Blaisse’s son Erik Steven, later owner of the distillery, Van Zuylekom, and other Bugattis. Erik Steven sold chassis 49570 to Wilhelm Anton Te Gussinko of Alten on 25 March 1946, who in turn sold it to H. James A.M. Coebergh of the Coeberg Bessen Jenever distillery on 30 August 1952. He kept it for less than a year when it is sold on 15 June 1953 to P. Deelen Jnr of Lekkerkerk.

Deelen kept this wonderful Type 49 for nearly a decade when ownership passed to Garage Limborg in 1962 and they rebuilt the engine. It then went to Bugatti collector Henk Groenwegen of Rotterdam, who passed away in 1974, and it later joined to the world famous collection of Evert Louwman. Gert Jan Moed bought the Bugatti in 2000 and a restoration was completed in April 2005, returning 49570 to its original colours. In 2011, it was purchased at auction by The Curated Collection.

An inspection of this wonderful Bugatti by Pierre-Yves Laugier shows that the mechanicals of this Type 49 are highly original, with the engine, gearbox, front and rear axles all bearing the stamping of 458. Both crankcases carry the assembly number of 22 proving their originality. The chassis plate is also the original item. All six of the aluminium Bugatti wheels are numbered, five of them are dated from July 1933 and the sixth is from the end of August 1933.

The central part of the body is original and was conserved during the restoration, and the rear, as well as the wings, were recreated as the originals were modified after World War II. The red leather in the interior appears to be original apart from the driver’s seat which has been retrimmed. It should be noted that the engine runs but the block has a previously repaired crack which is no longer sealed—a repair or replacement block would be recommend prior to proper use.

A truly special Bugatti, which has remained in Holland for most of its life, this rare and attractive Type 49 is worthy of a place in any pre-war collection.

RM Sotheby’s would like to thank Pierre-Yves Laugier and Kees Jansen for their assistance with cataloguing this Bugatti.