1929 Bugatti Type 37
- Engine
- Unsupercharged inline engine, crankshaft with special hardening treatment
The 1929 Bugatti Type 37 (chassis 37385, engine 287) is one of the final batch of unsupercharged Type 37s produced at Molsheim, with its crankshaft receiving special factory hardening treatment. Delivered via Roubaix dealer André Mathon in June 1930, the car passed through a well-documented chain of northern French owners. Its most active competition career came under Gerard Herbaux, who raced it in at least five events between 1931 and 1933, consistently finishing and achieving class placings in events including the Grand Prix de Picardie, Circuit de l'Aisne, and Grand Prix des Frontières. The car was subsequently restored in the late 1990s or early 2000s.
Ownership
- 2022-05-13Auction saleSold €750,000 (≈ $825K)
- 1930-06-17 → 1930-06-21Factory deliveryAndré Mathonfull documentation
Director of Carrosserie Spinnewyn and official Bugatti dealer in Roubaix, Mathon served as the intermediary through whom the car was dispatched from the factory. Factory records confirm delivery on 17 June 1930, with temporary plates issued in his name.
- 1930-06-21 → 1931-03-10Private salePierre Marsolanfull documentation
Roubaix-based dentist and enthusiastic Bugatti collector who registered the car on 21 June 1930; one of several Bugattis he purchased new within a short period.
- 1931-03-10 → 1933-11-07Private saleGérard Victor Herbauxfull documentation
Son of a carpet-factory owner in Neuville en Ferrain, Herbaux was the only known period racing driver of this car, competing in at least five events and finishing every one. He sold the car on the day of his wedding.
- 1933-11-07 → 1935-09-09Private saleEugène Antoine Tiberghienfull documentation
Head of the Tiberghien Frères textile firm in Tourcoing, employing around 2,500 workers; no racing activity with this car is recorded during his ownership.
- 1935-09-09 → 1937-03-11Private saleEugène Lescroatfull documentation
Bar owner in Tourcoing at the time of purchase, later became a garage proprietor; noted in local press during his ownership for a minor traffic incident while driving through a village.
- 1937-03-11 → 1939-09-15Private saleAugustin Dehullufull documentation
Belgian-born garage owner in Roncq since 1933; this was his only Bugatti, kept for roughly two and a half years before being sold shortly after the outbreak of World War Two.
- 1939-09-15 →Private saleDenyse Rogeaupartial documentation
Purchased on behalf of her husband Louis Rogeau; the couple operated a garage in Lille and reportedly acquired several other Bugattis on the same day.
Competition
- 1931-05-10VII Grand Prix de Picardie, PeronneDriver: Gérard Herbaux16th overall, last classified finisher
Herbaux carried number 54 on a 6km bumpy circuit over approximately two hours; 16 other entrants retired, making his finish notable for the car's reliability.
- 1932-04-109th Circuit de l'Aisne, Saint QuentinDriver: Gérard Herbaux2nd in 1500cc class
Herbaux ran number 81; finished behind the winner Auber in a Type 37A, with four other Bugatti Type 37s and 37As in the same category.
- 1932-05-15VII Grand Prix des Frontières, ChimayDriver: Gérard Herbaux3rd overall, 2nd in 1500cc class
Herbaux carried number 8 over 15 laps; Arthur Legat won in a Type 37A, with Emile Cornet's Type 35 taking second; race distance approximately 100 miles.
- 1932-06-05VIII Grand Prix de Picardie, PeronneDriver: Gérard Herbaux11th overall, 4th in 1500cc class
Herbaux carried number 25 and completed 13 of the scheduled 25 laps; Etancelin won in an Alfa Romeo 8C Monza; six entries retired.
- 1932-06-26Grand Prix de Lorraine, NancyDriver: Gérard Herbaux6th overall, 5th in 1500cc class
Herbaux carried number 60 and finished in 1 hour 22 minutes over 23 laps of a 5.5km circuit; Pierre Veyron won in a Maserati Type 26.
- 1933-06-04VIII Grand Prix des Frontières, ChimayDriver: Gérard HerbauxDNS or retired
Herbaux carried number 12 and is listed as a non-starter; a period photograph captioned 'Chimay 1933' confirms the car was present, but the reason for not finishing or not starting remains unclear.
Maintenance & restoration
- —Restoration
A substantial restoration was carried out, believed to have taken place across the late 1990s and into the early 2000s. Specific scope and workshop details are not recorded in the available documentation.
Date range cannot be pinpointed beyond the approximate window stated in the catalogue.
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