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 Post subject: New T35 cost in 1925
PostPosted: Tue Jan 08, 2013 6:19 am 
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Joined: Mon Dec 03, 2012 5:47 am
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What was the selling price of a T35 when new in say, 1925? And, were these cars sold only thru dealers or could one be purchased direct from the factory?


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 Post subject: Re: New T35 cost in 1925
PostPosted: Tue Jan 08, 2013 6:47 pm 
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Joined: Mon Oct 19, 2009 6:28 pm
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This photo shows a 1930 invoice to Helle Nice for FF40,000 but im sure that i read somewherwe that may have included a discount ?
I have one for my T13 but im not posting that;-)

http://www.bugattibuilder.com/photo/displayimage.php?pid=28655&fullsize=1


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 Post subject: Re: New T35 cost in 1925
PostPosted: Wed Jan 09, 2013 3:56 am 
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Thanks for the information. I will try to convert that to today's values. Any numbers on the spares and service costs in that time period? I find this interesting from a historical perspective......


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 Post subject: Re: New T35 cost in 1925
PostPosted: Wed Jan 09, 2013 11:18 am 
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Joined: Tue Nov 04, 2008 5:07 pm
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Location: Vienne France
Timeless wrote:
Thanks for the information. I will try to convert that to today's values. Any numbers on the spares and service costs in that time period? I find this interesting from a historical perspective......

I have the sales invoices or my T73c and two others but these were sold off in 1963 at low prices and would not help you.


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 Post subject: Re: New T35 cost in 1925
PostPosted: Wed Jan 09, 2013 12:54 pm 
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Joined: Thu Mar 01, 2007 4:21 pm
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Location: Bergen NH (NL)
Attached the Bugatti price list of 1930, unfortunately I do not have an earlier one.
As you can see Le Patron was a "master of calculation", similar to today's automobile factories. A T35C is listed at FF 140.000, but the T35B and the T39A at FF 155.000. All three cars had been fully identical except engine capacity.
The unsupercharged versions had been sold with a discount of FF 30.000, and the T35A "Grand Prix imitation" even at a bargain of FF 65.000. The difference between the T35A to the T35C was no compressor, friction instead of roller bearings, battery instead of magneto ignition, and wire instead of alloy wheels. On the other side the 35A was equipped with fenders, hood, lights, alternator, battery, and starter motor - items which had been available for the 35C only optionally. One step more downwards there was the T37 at FF 51.500, completely identical with the 35A, but only a four cylinder engine.

It is very difficult to convert these prices into today's figures. The official purchase power statistics show a rate of 0.54 to the Euro of 2010, which would result in abt. € 75.000 for a GP 35C. However, this rate is misleading as e.g. small road cars in 1930 had been priced around FF 12-15.000, equivalent to today's prices in Euros. But even a 1:1 ratio FF:EUR does not represent the real truth as one has to compare the figures with the income, which for a normal worker in 1930 was abt. FF 750, and today let's say € 1.500. So in real terms a T35C was about € 280.000 today, something which only the really wealthy ones could afford.

On the other side a successful racing driver could earn back such investment by price moneys rather easily. As an example, the price money for the winner of the 1929 German Grand Prix was RM 30.000, which at the rate of 6.1 was equivalent to FF 183.000. Plus a massive gold cup which surely was 5 or 10 kgs...!

Normal customers had to buy the cars - also the racing cars - through the dealer network, only some privileged top drivers could buy them directly from the factory, not only for their own use, but also for trading. Sometimes the works drivers had even been paid in cars! This was a win-win constellation, as everybody was keen to buy a "Chiron- or Varzi-winning" car even at a premium on the list price, whereas the drivers got a substantial discount from Le Patron.


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1930 Preisliste.jpg
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 Post subject: Re: New T35 cost in 1925
PostPosted: Wed Jan 09, 2013 5:35 pm 
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Joined: Mon Aug 01, 2011 6:58 pm
Posts: 28
Hi !
I have two price lists, one from 1927 in Francs, second from 1928 in US Dollars from Polish Bugatti dealer.

Greetings

Maciek Peda, Poland


Attachments:
Price-list-1927-in-Francs.jpg
Price-list-1927-in-Francs.jpg [ 243.57 KiB | Viewed 6691 times ]
Price-list-1928-in-US-Dollars.jpg
Price-list-1928-in-US-Dollars.jpg [ 159.39 KiB | Viewed 6691 times ]
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 Post subject: Re: New T35 cost in 1925
PostPosted: Wed Jan 09, 2013 7:03 pm 
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Joined: Wed Aug 22, 2007 1:12 pm
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1925
Attachment:
Type35.jpg
Type35.jpg [ 180.23 KiB | Viewed 6671 times ]


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 Post subject: Re: New T35 cost in 1925
PostPosted: Thu Jan 10, 2013 4:53 am 
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Joined: Mon Dec 03, 2012 5:47 am
Posts: 22
Thanks to you all for the most interesting posts on this subject. The depth of knowledge on this site is very impressive! This pricing info and the explanation of cost then, is very much valued.. Racing info also was an extra insight into the era....


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 Post subject: Re: New T35 cost in 1925
PostPosted: Sun Jan 20, 2013 4:23 pm 
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Location: Netherlands, Nieuwegein
In "Bugattis in Argentina" there is a letter dated 15 January 1925, from the factory to a possible dealer in Argentina. (page 80)

The letter states a price for the (Lyon and San Sebastian) GP model of 100,000 Francs (in line with the 120,000 asked 2 years later).

Price for the 1,5 litre 4 cyl. chassis was 26,000, for the 2 litre 8 cyl. chassis (T30 or T38?) was 41,000.

The price that the dealer had to pay the factory was 76,500 on the GP car.

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