1926 Bugatti Type 37
- Engine
- Single overhead camshaft inline four-cylinder, 60 hp, four-speed manual
Bugatti Type 37 chassis 37363, built in 1927–1928, is a single-overhead-camshaft four-cylinder derivative of the legendary Type 35 Grand Prix car, one of approximately 220 produced. Delivered new to Bugatti dealer Léon Boucher in Limoges in 1929, it accumulated a well-documented chain of French owners across nearly a century. A notable episode involved a chassis plate swap with a fire-damaged Type 37A owned by the same custodian, Francis Muel, who also had the engine rebuilt before selling in 1961. The car subsequently appeared at the inaugural public event on the Bugatti Le Mans circuit in 1966 and was exhibited at the 2009 International Bugatti Meeting during the marque's centenary celebrations. It retains its original chassis and cam cover numbered 252.
Ownership
- —Auction saleEstimate €980,000 – €1,300,000
- 1929-09-01 →Factory deliveryLéon Boucherfull documentation
Bugatti dealer in Limoges who took delivery of the car directly from the factory at Molsheim. Noted as a regular hillclimb competitor. A 1956 factory letter on file documents this delivery.
- 1934-05-01 → 1935-08-01Acquisition unknownAndré Fayettepartial documentation
Paris-based owner who registered the car formally for the first time. Prior to this, the car had reportedly been running on dealer plates.
- 1935-08-01 →Private saleJean-Pierre Labuzepartial documentation
21-year-old resident of Limoges who brought the car back to that city.
- → 1936-08-01Private saleMaurice Jean Gaumepartial documentation
Also based in Limoges; acquired the car sometime in spring before selling it on in August 1936.
- 1936-08-01 →Private saleJean Benoitpartial documentation
Described as an entrepreneur; no further details on duration of ownership or eventual sale.
- 1951-04-01 →Acquisition unknownJean Renardpartial documentation
Owner of an automotive and motorcycle repair business. The car had resurfaced in Paris by June 1946 and was under his care by April 1951.
- → 1955-12-01Private saleJacques Levypartial documentation
Journalist who acquired the car from Renard and held it until selling in December 1955.
- 1955-12-01 → 1956-12-01Private saleYves Lerichepartial documentation
Held the car for approximately one year before passing it to a fellow resident of Saint-Cloud.
- 1956-12-01 → 1961-12-01Private saleFrancis Muelpartial documentation
Saint-Cloud resident who also owned Type 37A chassis 37374. After fire damaged that car, he swapped the chassis plates between the two vehicles. Had the engine rebuilt before his wedding, then sold at end of 1961.
- 1961-12-01 → 2004-02-01Private saleJean-Michel Cérèdepartial documentation
Vésinet-based collector who retained the car for roughly four decades, during which it appeared at the inaugural public event on the permanent Bugatti circuit at Le Mans in 1966.
- 2004-02-01 → 2013-06-01Private saleNormandy-based enthusiastpartial documentation
Undertook mechanical and cosmetic recommissioning after purchase. Also exhibited the car at the 2009 International Bugatti Meeting in Maremma.
- 2013-06-01 →Private saleParis-based consignorpartial documentation
Current owner who commissioned restoration work from Bugatti specialist Garage Novo in Marolles-en-Hurepoix.
Competition
- 19581958 Le Mans Classic equivalentDriver: George Delaroche
Delaroche, who had finished second in the 1934 Le Mans 24 Hours, piloted the car at this event. The chassis plates had been swapped with another Type 37A prior to participation.
- 1966Inaugural public event at the permanent Bugatti Le Mans Circuit
The car appeared at the first public event held at the newly established Bugatti circuit at Le Mans while under the ownership of Jean-Michel Cérède.
- 2009-05-01International Bugatti Meeting, Maremma
Car was exhibited at this gathering held as part of the centenary celebrations of the Bugatti marque.
Maintenance & restoration
- 2004Service
Upon acquisition by the Normandy-based owner, the car underwent both mechanical and cosmetic recommissioning.
- 2013RestorationGarage Novo
Restoration work was carried out following purchase by the current Paris-based owner.
Garage Novo is described as a Bugatti specialist based in Marolles-en-Hurepoix.
- —Engine rebuild
The engine was overhauled by Francis Muel in preparation for his wedding, prior to the car being sold at the end of 1961.
- —Modification
Chassis plates were swapped between this car and the fire-damaged Type 37A (chassis 37374) owned by the same custodian, Francis Muel. The plates were later formally restored to their correct vehicles following research by marque historian Pierre-Yves Laugier.
The chassis plate transposition occurred during Francis Muel's ownership in the late 1950s.
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