1933 Bugatti Type 49
- Colour
- Black body with black hood
Bugatti Type 49 chassis 49570, fitted with matching engine L458 on a long-wheelbase platform, was assembled at Molsheim in May 1933 and delivered via Zurich agent B.U.C.A.R. to a Dutch dealer, debuting at the 1934 Amsterdam RAI Motor Show. Spending virtually its entire life in the Netherlands, the car passed through a documented chain of Dutch owners before entering the Louwman Collection and subsequently undergoing a thorough restoration completed in 2005. Mechanically highly original, with engine, gearbox, and axles all stamping-matched to number 458.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold €184,000 (≈ $202K)
- 1933-11-21 →Factory deliveryB.U.C.A.R. of Zurichfull documentation
European agent who received the rolling chassis by rail; invoiced 38,000 French francs. Served as intermediary before the car reached its first private owner in the Netherlands.
- 1934 →Acquisition unknownN.V.J.W. Lagerwijfull documentation
Dutch motor trader and later Jaguar agent based in The Hague who displayed the car on the Van Rijswijk stand at the 1934 Amsterdam RAI show; the vehicle was registered HX 31549 during this period.
- → 1946-03-25InheritanceErik Steven Blaissepartial documentation
Son of E. Blaisse; later owner of the Van Zuylekom distillery and collector of multiple Bugattis including a Type 40 roadster and a 3-litre coupe.
- 1946-03-25 → 1952-08-30Private saleWilhelm Anton Te Gussinkofull documentation
Based in Alten; registered the car under plate M 6030 in the Gelderland province.
- 1952-08-30 → 1953-06-15Private saleH. James A.M. Coeberghfull documentation
Proprietor of the Coeberg Bessen Jenever distillery in Amsterdam; held the car for under a year before selling it on.
- 1953-06-15 → 1962Private saleP. Deelen Jrfull documentation
Based in Lekkerkerk; retained the car for nearly a decade; registration plate HX 63697 dates from this period of ownership.
- 1962 →Private saleGarage Limborgpartial documentation
Dealership located in Krimpen aan de Lek; undertook an engine rebuild during their period of ownership.
- → 1974Acquisition unknownHenk Groenwegenpartial documentation
Rotterdam-based machine-tool dealer and prominent Bugatti collector who owned numerous examples of the marque; deceased in 1974.
- 2000 → 2011Private saleGert Jan Moedfull documentation
Commissioned a full restoration completed in April 2005, returning the car to its original colour scheme; sold the car at a Bonhams auction in Paris in 2011.
- 2011 →AuctionThe Curated Collectionfull documentation
Acquired at the 2011 Bonhams Grand Palais Paris sale; current consignor.
- Date unknownPrivate saleE. Blaissepartial documentation
Acquired from Lagerwij; the car subsequently passed to his son Erik Steven Blaisse.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownEvert Louwmanpartial documentation
Acquired after Groenwegen's death as part of the renowned Louwman collection.
Competition
- 19341934 Amsterdam International Motor Show (RAI)Exhibited on stand No. 100
Car was displayed on the Van Rijswijk coachbuilder stand and described in a contemporary motoring magazine as having a black body, black hood, and red leather interior.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1962Engine rebuildGarage Limborg
Engine rebuilt during the period of ownership by Garage Limborg.
- 2005Restoration
Comprehensive restoration returning the car to its original colour scheme. The central body section was preserved in original form, while the rear bodywork and wings — which had been altered after the Second World War — were faithfully recreated. Interior red leather was largely retained except for the driver's seat squab, which was retrimmed.
Restoration commissioned by Gert Jan Moed and completed in April 2005.
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