1925 Bugatti Type 35C
- Engine
- Supercharged inline-eight, upgraded to Type 35C specification
A 1925 Bugatti Type 35 factory-prepared entry for the ACF Grand Prix at Montlhéry, driven by Giulio Foresti to 8th place in that debut race. Sold through the Paris Bugatti agency to Jean Bielovucic and then to Edward Meyer of Casablanca, who piloted it to victory in the 1928 Moroccan Grand Prix at a record average speed. After passing through several hands in Morocco and eventually reaching the United States, the car entered the Nethercutt collection before a thorough restoration by noted Bugattiste O.A. Phillips prepared it for Dr. Richard Riddell, under whose ownership it competed at Pebble Beach and twelve Monterey Historics appearances over three decades.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$1,155,000
- 1927-10-21 →Private saleEdward Meyerfull documentation
French-born industrialist and aviator based in Casablanca; an active competitor for three decades who used the car in multiple Moroccan and North African events before eventually selling it.
- 1952 →Acquisition unknownMr. Volta of Moroccopartial documentation
Moroccan owner recalled by Pelosini; the car was exported to the United States shortly after this period.
- 1958 → 1972Private saleJ.B. Nethercuttfull documentation
Prominent American collector who acquired the car roughly three years after the Rogers photograph; the car was catalogued in Hugh Conway's 1962 Bugatti register during his tenure, described as complete but in poor condition.
- 1972 → 2011Private saleDr. Richard Riddellfull documentation
Long-standing American Bugatti Club member and former president who purchased through restorer O.A. 'Bunny' Phillips; oversaw a full restoration and used the car extensively in concours and historic racing for roughly three decades.
- 2011 →Private saleWest Coast enthusiast collectorspartial documentation
Current owners, described as long-time enthusiasts based on the US West Coast, who have continued to use the car in the spirit of its original purpose.
- Date unknownPrivate saleJean Bielovucicpartial documentation
Purchased via the Paris Bugatti dealership on the Champs-Élysées following the 1925 ACF Grand Prix; at this point the chassis plate had changed to number 4572 for unclear reasons.
- Date unknownPrivate saleMario Pelosinipartial documentation
Raced the car and later recalled its history in conversations with Bugatti researcher Antoine Raffaelli.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownJohn E. Rogerspartial documentation
California-based importer believed to have brought the car into the United States; a photograph from 1955 shows the car in largely unmodified condition in his possession.
Competition
- 1925-07-261925 ACF Grand PrixDriver: Giulio Foresti8th overall
Held at Montlhéry; one of five factory-prepared examples entered; the race duration was just under ten hours.
- 1928-04-151928 Moroccan Grand PrixDriver: Edward Meyer1st
Run over approximately 710 km between Casablanca and Marrakesh and back; Meyer averaged 147 km/h and reportedly approached 200 km/h, establishing a world speed record for the route.
- 1928-05-061928 Algerian Grand PrixDriver: Edward MeyerDNF — oil pump failure
Held at Staoueli; mechanical trouble forced retirement.
- 19291929 Tangiers Hill ClimbDriver: Edward Meyer1st
Described as the final recorded victory while the car was in Meyer's hands.
- 19791979 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance
The car appeared at Pebble Beach following its restoration by O.A. Phillips during Dr. Riddell's ownership.
- —Monterey Historics
Participated at least twelve times across roughly thirty years from around 1979 onward while under Dr. Riddell's stewardship.
Maintenance & restoration
- —BodyworkO.A. Phillips
Coachwork replaced with period-style Type 35 bodywork fabricated by O.A. Phillips, as the original body was no longer present.
Work carried out in the late 1960s; confirmed by marque specialist David Sewell as non-original but correctly executed.
- —RestorationO.A. Phillips
Comprehensive restoration undertaken by O.A. Phillips on behalf of Dr. Riddell, including an engine overhaul bringing it to Type 35C specification, ahead of its 1979 Pebble Beach appearance.
Engine uprated to 35C specification during this work; cambox number 183, believed transplanted in the car's earlier racing career, was retained.
Are you the owner of this car?
This car's public record is built from its auction and competition history. Register your ownership and privately add your own records to make it a verified Legacy Metrics passport — provenance that backs your car's value at sale and gives your insurer evidence to price against. Roy reviews and verifies every registration personally.