1928 Bugatti Type 44 Gangloff 'Aerodynamique' Coupé
- Engine
- Straight-eight, original engine no. 571 (lower crankcase currently from chassis 44760)
- Colour
- Sulfur white (pale green)
Bugatti Type 44 chassis 44784, bodied by Gangloff of Colmar with a rare 'Aerodynamique' coupé, was completed at Molsheim in November 1928 and despatched through Lyon dealer Christy, Pangaud & Monestier. First registered in France in February 1929, it passed through a succession of French, Belgian, Swiss, and Dutch owners over nine decades. Expert research confirms the Gangloff coachwork as one of very few 'Aerodynamique' bodies built for a Bugatti chassis, making this a historically significant example of both marque and coachbuilder craft.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold £207,000 (≈ $259K)
- 1928-11-01 → 1929-02-01Factory deliveryChristy, Pangaud & Monestierfull documentation
Prominent Bugatti dealership based in Lyon that purchased the rolling chassis directly from the Molsheim factory for 48,000 francs, then arranged for Gangloff in Colmar to fit coachwork before delivering to the first private owner.
- 1929-02-01 → 1933-10-01Private saleJean Paul Pryllipartial documentation
Wealthy Lyon-based silk merchant and motoring enthusiast, member of the Automobile Club du Rhone. Reportedly sold the car after purchasing a Type 49 Berline, with the buyer recorded as a Monsieur Aufenast, also of Lyon.
- 1933-10-01 →Private saleMonsieur Aufenastpartial documentation
Lyon-based owner who acquired the car from Prylli around October 1933; the car next appears in Monestier agency records in February 1934.
- 1934-02-01 → 1934-05-01Private saleMarcel Perrinpartial documentation
Well-known motorcycle racer living in Mâcon; car was re-registered in his name after the Monestier agency handled the transaction.
- 1934-05-01 → 1936-08-01Private saleUnidentified owner registered 6582 PF 5none documentation
Car sold again by the Monestier agency and registered under a new plate in May 1934; identity of this owner is not stated.
- 1936-08-01 →Private saleAndre Paul Sirejolspartial documentation
Officially registered in his name by September 1938, though he may have taken possession earlier given he was driving the car in a road incident in December 1937; the accident caused damage to the front wing and axle.
- 1969 → 1972-06-01Private salePhilippe Vernholespartial documentation
Treasurer and later secretary of the French Bugatti Club; acquired the car in poor condition and commissioned restoration work including mechanical refurbishment, coachwork repairs, new wings, re-trimmed interior, and a repaint in Souffre Blanc.
- 1972-06-01 → 1988AuctionNicolas Seydoux and Michel Seydouxpartial documentation
Two brothers described as prominent Bugatti collectors active during the 1970s and 1980s who acquired the car at auction.
- 1988 → 1993Acquisition unknownEdgard Ben Soussanpartial documentation
Acquired the car in 1988; subsequently exported it to Switzerland.
- 1993 → 1995Private salePeter Aeschliemannpartial documentation
Zurich-based collector who maintained a dedicated Bugatti collection; the car was noted for sale at a Swiss garage in Teffen in 1995.
- 1995 → 2006Acquisition unknownSwiss garage in Teffenpartial documentation
Car was listed for sale at this Swiss dealership in 1995 and remained until purchased by a Dutch dealer in 2006.
- 2006 → 2007Private saleJack Braam Rubenpartial documentation
Dutch car dealer who purchased the car in 2006 and sold it to a buyer in Spain approximately one year later.
- 2007 →Private saleCurrent consignorpartial documentation
Spain-based owner who has invested at least £250,000 in maintenance and upkeep, carried out by Bugatti specialist Ivan Dutton and engineer Maurice Ogier.
Competition
No competition history extracted from the catalogue.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1937Repair
Front left wing and front axle damaged in a road accident on 19 December 1937; extent of any frame damage was not established.
Accident documented in a statement by then-owner Andre Paul Sirejols.
- 1969Engine rebuildHenri Novo
Engine returned to running order following a period of neglect.
Commissioned by Philippe Vernholes after acquiring the car in poor condition.
- 1969BodyworkJean-Paul Monceau
Coachwork repaired, wings replaced, interior and seats retrimmed in green, and the body refinished in Souffre Blanc, a pale green shade.
Work carried out under instruction from Philippe Vernholes.
- 2025Inspection
Detailed historical and technical inspection by Bugatti expert Pierre-Yves Laugier, noting the origins of individual drivetrain and structural components and confirming the authenticity of the Gangloff coachwork.
Report established that the body was originally made for chassis 44748 and identified the sources of the engine crankcase, gearbox, rear axle, and frame.
- —MechanicalIvan Dutton Limited
Extensive maintenance programme valued at a minimum of £250,000, covering mechanical and related work to an unspecified scope.
Additional work also performed by race mechanic and engineer Maurice Ogier during the current owner's tenure.
- —MechanicalMaurice Ogier
Specialist mechanical attention carried out alongside work by Ivan Dutton, as part of the same extensive maintenance programme.
Ogier described as an established race mechanic and engineer.
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