As the market leader in collectors’ motor cars and having sold some of the world’s most important Bugattis, Bonhams was the obvious choice to be the BOC’s new partner. Last year Bonhams sold a 1937 Bugatti Type 57S Atalante, which had been owned by the first BOC Chairman Earl Howe, for a staggering 3.4 million euros.
At the same auction (Retromobile, Paris, 2009), Bonhams sold the famous ‘Black Bess’ 1913 Bugatti Type 18 for over 2.4 million euros, against a pre-sale estimate of 1,300,000 – 1,600,000 euros.
Bonhams was also recently in the news for the sale of a ‘sunken Bugatti’ – a 1925 Bugatti Type 22 Brescia which had lain at the bottom of Lake Maggiore for seventy years. The car fetched 260,000 euros, far outstripping the pre-sale estimate of 70,000 – 90,000 euros.
The BOC was established in 1929 to bring together Bugatti and motor sport enthusiasts, and today has a membership of 1,750 and runs approximately 40 events throughout the year.
Ian Patton, General Manager of the Bugatti Owners’ Club, confirmed that “The Bugatti Owners’ Club is looking forward to a long association with Bonhams. As one of the most prestigious and respected international auctioneers, they are ideally positioned to serve the interests of our members.”
Tim Schofield, Head of Bonhams UK Motoring, comments: “We are delighted to be the auctioneers of choice for the Bugatti Owners Club. On the back of some outstanding results we have achieved for the sale of Bugattis at auction, Bonhams is a natural partner for the BOC, and we look forward to being in attendance at the BOC’s headquarters, the legendary Prescott Hill Climb in Gloucestershire throughout the season.”
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