Car 40607

I spent all morning photographing the above car which is for sale at H & H auctions - offers over £100k.
I have posted all my pictures on flickr.com under grahamlittle10 photostream. The car is all matching numbers with an original GS body. Body is in exceptionally good original condition and the car has a lot of spares with it including a clutch, block, etc.

Is this 40607? According to our in-house International Bugatti Register (Thanks Herman) it has engine number 515 and is registered PN 4061.

I have only ever seen one other Bugatti with a painted front axle ; is this finish as per original?

I wonder if I may end with a rather personal question : "Why do wish to sell your Bugatti?"

Kind Regards
Johan Buchner

I have seen quite a few painted front axles from touring Bugattis.The one on my daughters car has aroused some merriment as to why I should have painted it,but it has a very rough finish and had traces of black paint on it.With the many years that have passed I think many of the rough forgings have been polished like GP ones thus smudging history.It is unwise to be dogmatic but I suspect that many touring Bugattis started out like my daughters one.

I am rather certain that most if not all T40's started life with a painted frontaxle. I also think that several T37's and T35A's were delivered with painted front axles. I recentlly saw a T37 frontaxle that now shows the remains of nickel over a rough surface but certainly started life painted.
Bugwrench

The car is for sale due to the death of its owner. His family have no interest in the car.

Another car just come on the market is a short-chassis type 44 (44972) special needing some work for £90k.

Thank you gentlemen, now I've learnt something new - again.

And apologies to you Lazarus, when you told me about your T37's painted front axle, I thought you were merely trying to piss off the purists. Now, thanks to you and Bugwrench, I know that most of the (touring Type?) Bugattis sporting polished front axles may not be strictly original.

I really love this Forum!

Johan

PS. If you're in the mood for a bit of mirth, have a look at the Register inscription for 40868 ; very shiny front axle.

The car photographed in detail on this page : http://www.flickr.com/photos/grahamlittle/

_________________
Make your dream devour your life, so that life doesn't devour your dream.
[Antoine de Saint-Exupéry]

I suspect that all touring cars had painted front axles unless they were specially ordered with a plated one or being prepared for motor show duty. 44787 has all plated front suspension because Brixton Road ordered it for display at the London Motor Show but it was subsequently painted black. Much of the plating still remains under the paint on the axle, steering arms, drop arm, draglink and track rod. In order to replate it the original would have to be removed and it would be an awful lot of work for no benefit - cars are for driving not polishing!

John S

hear hear !