1928 Bugatti Type 38A Grand Sport boat-tail
- Engine
- Supercharged inline engine running on roller bearings, fitted with reproduction supercharger
Bugatti Type 38A chassis 38470 is one of approximately 39 supercharged examples produced, bodied at the factory in boat-tailed aluminium Grand Sport coachwork. Delivered to a London dealer in October 1928, it passed to known racing driver L.G. Bachelier and subsequently to Denis Evans, who campaigned it at Brooklands in the early 1930s. Later modified with a shortened chassis and replacement engine, it was exported to the United States in the early 1960s. A comprehensive restoration to original configuration was undertaken for collector John Rich Sr., after which it appeared at Pebble Beach, Meadowbrook, and Amelia Island before passing to its most recent owner, who prepared it as a reliable touring car.
Ownership
- —Auction saleEstimate US$350,000 – US$400,000
- 1928-10-23 →Factory deliveryColonel Sorelfull documentation
London dealer who received the car at a preferential price directly from the Bugatti factory; sold it promptly to the first private owner.
- → 1991Private saleDr. Terry Bennettpartial documentation
New Hampshire collector whose holdings were dispersed in 1991, at which point the car entered a prominent Pennsylvania collection.
- 1991 → 2016AuctionJohn Rich Sr.full documentation
Pottsville, Pennsylvania collector who commissioned a comprehensive restoration to original specification by Bugatti specialist Donald Koleman's Competition Motors, then regularly exhibited the car at major concours.
- 2016 →Private saleCurrent ownerpartial documentation
Acquired from the Rich Collection and invested in road-readiness improvements, including a bespoke reproduction supercharger and various mechanical upgrades for reliable touring use.
- Date unknownPrivate saleL.G. Bachelierpartial documentation
Known racing driver of the era who purchased from Colonel Sorel and used the car in competition during 1929.
- Date unknownPrivate saleDenis Evanspartial documentation
Acquired the car in the early 1930s and campaigned it in club racing events at Brooklands.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownOwner surnamed Child, near Rotherhampartial documentation
Resided near Rotherham; no first name recorded. Sold to the subsequent owner.
- Date unknownPrivate saleB. Reespartial documentation
West Hampstead, London owner. During or before this ownership the chassis and body were shortened to a two-seat configuration and the original engine was swapped.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownAmerican owners prior to Richard Winernone documentation
Car was exported to the USA in roughly the early 1960s and passed through several undocumented hands before reaching Richard Winer.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownRichard Winerpartial documentation
Based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida; sold the car to Dr. Terry Bennett.
Competition
- 1929-07-01JCC High Speed TrialsJCC High Speed TrialDriver: L.G. Bachelier
Driven by the original owner, a noted racing driver of that era.
- 1931British Automobile Racing ClubBARC Open Meeting Mountain HandicapDriver: Denis Evans
Evans raced the car in this club event during his ownership in the early 1930s.
- 1932JCC High Speed TrialsJCC High Speed Trial, BrooklandsDriver: Denis Evans
Second known competition appearance under Evans, held at the Brooklands circuit.
- 19931993 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance
Exhibited by John Rich Sr. following the completion of the full restoration.
- 1994Meadowbrook Concours
Shown by Mr. Rich the year after the Pebble Beach appearance.
- 2004Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance
Later concours appearance while still in the Rich Collection.
Maintenance & restoration
- —Modification
The chassis and coachwork were both shortened to create a two-seat configuration, and the original engine was replaced with a different unit.
This work occurred prior to export from England, most likely during the tenure of one of the later British owners.
- —RestorationCompetition Motors
A comprehensive restoration returning the car to its original specification was carried out by a noted Bugatti specialist, reversing earlier modifications.
Commissioned by John Rich Sr.; work performed by Donald Koleman's Competition Motors.
- —Mechanical
The car was sorted for road and touring use: a bespoke reproduction Bennington Blower supercharger was fitted, an electric cooling fan and polished radiator expansion tank were added, the engine was set up for spirited driving on roller bearings, and a 12-volt socket was installed beneath the dashboard.
Work carried out under the current owner after acquisition in 2016.
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