1923 Bugatti Type 23 'Brescia Modifiée'
- Engine
- 1.5L inline-four SOHC 16-valve, ~1496cc
The 1923 Bugatti Type 23 'Brescia Modifiée', chassis 1878, is a rolling chassis descended from the original Type 13 lineage and powered by an early Brescia Modifiée 1,496cc 16-valve engine. Its history includes American ownership under several custodians before passing to a noted Bugatti collector in the South of France and subsequently to a Scandinavian owner in 1974. The car has seen minimal work since that acquisition and is offered as an unrestored project requiring full recommissioning.
Ownership
- 2023-04-16Auction saleSold £99,000 (≈ $124K)
- → 1974Private saleUwe Huckepartial documentation
Well-regarded Bugatti specialist and collector based in southern France; sold the car in 1974 via an intermediary in Germany.
- 1974 →Private saleDeceased Scandinavian ownerfull documentation
Purchase arranged through agent Mr Von Raffay in Germany; supporting correspondence is retained in the file. Minimal work carried out on the car during this long period of ownership.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownWilbur E Fleckpartial documentation
Imported the car into the USA from Germany; first known American custodian.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownJames H Donaldpartial documentation
Constructed a basic open body for the chassis during his ownership; car passed on following his death.
- Date unknownInheritanceRay Jonespartial documentation
Stripped the bodywork and subsequently sold the bare rolling chassis onward.
Competition
No competition history extracted from the catalogue.
Maintenance & restoration
- —Modification
A simple open body was fitted to the rolling chassis by owner James H Donald during the car's American period.
- —Maintenance
The body previously fitted by Donald was removed by subsequent owner Ray Jones prior to the car's sale.
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