51148
A 1933 team car with engine and rear axles with the no. 25 and gearbox no. 24.The car was reputedly more powerful than the previous year’s cars, possibly due to larger supercharger ports, and it had a larger radiator. It was ordered through Sorel’s London agency for T.A.S.O. Mathieson and delivered by road on 22nd January, 1934 (at the same time as car 51150 for Eccles). It was then collected from Brixton Road by Papworth who would look after it. It later passed through the hands of Staniland, Blackburn and A. Heib. In 1968 it was in the ownership of David Black of Wigan, UK, who was issued with a UK BOC replacement chassis plate (with serial no. 48) on 27th January, 1976. At this time the car was painted blue-grey and carried the UK reg. no. JLG 14. Pictures of it appeared in the UK motoring press and it was athe subject of a joint Grand Prix Bugatti track test. In 1994 the car was exported to the USA. In 2003 it appeared at Pebble Beach in immaculate condition.( see photos). The 2004 edition of “Grand Prix Bugatti” does not list a current owner but gives the cars location as “USA (1)” The footnote states that there are two cars marked with the no. 51146 which were restamped pre-war and that one is undoubtedly 51148. William Vaccaro has used the car at US race meetings and is assumed to be the owner.