Description
This car is Lot 156 to be auctioned by Bonhams|Cars at Les Grandes Marques du Monde à Paris Sale on 6 February, please see the Bonhams website for full details.
Public Viewing:
Available Tuesday 4 February from 08:00 until 18:00 and Wednesday 5 February from 9 AM - 6 PM, at The Grand Palais Historique, Paris.
Lot 156
Single ownership since 1963
1925 Bugatti Type 35 Grand Prix Two-Seater
Registration no.
Chassis no. 4644
Delivered new in Spain
In the same collection for over 60 years
Has remained in Spain throughout its life
2-litre engine no. 45 from chassis 4640
Pierre-Yves Laugier's report included in the documentation
Eligible for numerous prestigious international competitions
Offered without any registration title
Delivered new on 25 November 1925 to the dealer Bertrand y Serra in Madrid, according to Bugatti factory records, the Type 35 chassis 4644 was originally fitted with engine no. 61. Its history is intricately linked to the broader story of Spain's past.
In 1929, it was registered under the name of Rogelio Periquet, a young Madrid-based lawyer in his twenties. A member of the bar, secretary of the Spanish Touring Club, and author of two film scripts, Periquet was also an opponent of Franco, actively involved in the Fifth Column, which led to his imprisonment.
As historian Salvador Claret recounts, the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) marked a turning point for vehicles: many were requisitioned, while their owners dismantled engines and starters to render them unusable. Aluminium, bronze, and brass were often looted as they could easily be sold. A decree mandated that these cars be stored in safe locations, such as barracks, warehouses, or arenas. A few months later, an official list of requisitioned vehicles was published in the State Official Bulletin. Chassis 4644 is mentioned in it: This vehicle, chassis no. 4644, is parked, awaiting collection in the vehicle establishment and workshops of the 3rd military region. This context likely explains the separation of the chassis from its original engine and body.
Around 1947, chassis 4640, originally fitted with engine no. 45, received an Amilcar engine. It is probably at this time that engine no. 45 was fitted to this chassis 4644.
This Bugatti #4644 entered the collection of its current owner in 1963, purchased from Doctor José Fausto Martinez Moreno, a radiologist based in Almería in southeastern Spain.
A comprehensive restoration was undertaken starting in 1970 by the English workshop Tula Engineering, led by Richard I'Anson, preserving the original mechanics, with each major component originating from chassis 4644 and dating to 1925. The engine no. 45, which now equips the car, originally belonged to chassis 4640, while a new body was fabricated. Decades later, maintenance was entrusted to the restoration workshop of Pierre Arnaud in Saint-Loubès.
The cars file includes some invoices for the work carried out in England, a summary of interventions conducted between 1996 and 2014, and documents for its temporary importation into England (1966-1984). A Spanish inspection also certifies the vehicles compliance for registration and road use. Lastly, a report by Pierre-Yves Laugier, available for consultation, provides a detailed account of the components and history of this Bugatti.
The Bugatti Type 35 remains one of the most celebrated and successful racing cars in history. This legacy makes it eligible for numerous prestigious classic events. For many, few automotive experiences compare to the thrill of driving a pre-war Bugatti. Powered by an inline eight-cylinder engine, this Type 35 #4644 embodies timeless elegance, exceptional craftsmanship, and unparalleled performance, hallmarks of the Bugatti brand. Perfect to enhance any collection, it also promises an unrivalled experience in classic racing.
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All lots are sold 'as is/ where is' and Bidders must satisfy themselves as to the provenance, condition, age, completeness and originality prior to bidding. Visit the Bonhams|Cars website for all pertinent auction information.
