1947 Bugatti Type 73C Grand Prix Monoposto
- Engine
- 1.46L DOHC inline-four, 16-valve, Roots-type supercharger, ~120 bhp at 5,000 rpm
The 1947 Bugatti Type 73C (chassis 73002) represents the final racing car conceived by Ettore Bugatti, featuring a supercharged 1.5-litre twin-cam 16-valve all-alloy engine derived from wartime development. Assembled from factory parts stored at Molsheim, it is the sole Type 73C recorded in Hugh Conway's 1962 Bugatti Register. Its history spans prominent custodians including early American Bugatti authority Eric Richardson, the celebrated Donington Collection of Tom Wheatcroft, and a Mexican collector, before entering a Texas-based collection.
Ownership
- 2022-08-19Auction saleSold US$460,000
- 1961 →Private saleJean de Dobbeleerpartial documentation
Brussels-based Bugatti agent who acquired the unassembled parts from Molsheim storage, assembled the chassis, and sold it body-less to the US market via his American representative.
- → 1969Acquisition unknownJerry Shermanfull documentation
Pennsylvania-based owner listed in Hugh Conway's 1962 Bugatti Register as the sole Type 73C on record at that time.
- 1969 →Acquisition unknownEric Richardsonpartial documentation
Noted American Bugatti authority of the era who acquired the car from Sherman.
- → 1994Acquisition unknownTom Wheatcroftpartial documentation
Assembled the Donington Grand Prix car collection; had the car comprehensively restored in his Donington workshops, including fitting a body styled after Pichetto's second 1945 coachwork proposal. Occasionally used the car at private track sessions with driver associates.
- 1994 → 2002Private saleAlberto Lenzpartial documentation
Mexico-based collector who purchased the car from Wheatcroft and later sold it on.
- 2002 →Private salePrevious owner from 2002partial documentation
Had several enhancements made to the car, including piano-wire wheels and hubs by Crosthwaite and Gardiner, plus cycle wings to improve road usability. Car was kept in a climate-controlled Texas facility.
Competition
No competition history extracted from the catalogue.
Maintenance & restoration
- —RestorationDonington Collection workshops
Full mechanical and cosmetic restoration carried out in the Donington workshops under Tom Wheatcroft's direction, with the car also fitted with a replica of the second Pichetto 1945 body design incorporating a cowled radiator grille.
Wheatcroft's standard required cars to be mechanically functional and driveable as well as visually correct.
- —ModificationCrosthwaite & Gardiner
Piano wire wheels and hubs fitted, along with cycle wings to improve road usability.
Work carried out during the previous owner's tenure after acquisition from Lenz in 2002.
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