1928 Bugatti 44 Faux Cabriolet par Labourdette Survivor
Sometimes the story of a certain car is even better than the car itself. In the case of this 1928 Bugatti 44 Faux Cabriolet, both the car and its discovery are equally fascinating. This Bugatti is a stunning original, and while some level of restoration was carried out, anything that didn’t need to be touched was left intact, with the work most occurring under the surface. The owner of the car was searching for a Type 44 for years and apparently discovered this car by accident after pieces of an engine block were discovered on a property belonging to a friend. The story is somewhat complicated and translated poorly, but it’s still worth checking out here on Artcurial where it’s expected to sell in the range of €300,000 – €400,000.
The 44 was in long-term family ownership, and it apparently was handed down to a daughter and her husband. The car had developed some mechanical issues by this point, and the husband couldn’t get the antique car to run as desired. The radiator was removed to deter thieves but otherwise left alone. The Bugatti was found in incredibly well-preserved condition, and the history only grew more interesting upon learning that despite leaving the factory in 1930, it didn’t sell for three or four more years due to the 1929 crash. The gauges are beautiful in typical Bugatti fashion and still in excellent condition.
A specialist rebuilt the 3-litre engine and also refurbished the gearbox and front suspension. The gentlemen that discovered the car – apparently from right underneath the noses of many seasoned Bugatti collectors – also worked tirelessly on their nights and weekends to preserve as much of the car’s history and original details. The invoices for servicing apparently total €100,000, which is an eye-watering sum to many of us but likely quite normal when reviving a vintage Bugatti. The seller contends it drives beautifully and easily reaches 4,000 RPM in fourth gear. The listing says it is known as the “Buick of Molsheim.”
The interior is well-preserved throughout, with the description noting that the interior was refurbished with the seat upholstery “renewed” but also stating that “…the original cloth has been conserved under discreet fabric covers.” I’m slightly confused by this description in terms of what it actually means with regards to whether there’s any original material left, but clearly, we’re looking at reproduction seat covers here. Still, it’s a minor concern given most upholstery is in tatters on a car this old, so finding any surviving material is a win that points further credibility to the impressive originality on display here. As the saying goes, “Find another one.”
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Comments
it looks like two cars made this one. that would say why it is two colors that just do not go together. in the 20s company’s did that a lot, take left over parts and put them together to make one more car. buyer gets it for less but still gets a good car.
Be the first on your block;
no, in your city;
no, in your state;
no, in your country;
no, in the WORLD to own one of these.
It sort of looks like it will sag at the engine and windshield also at that point it looks sort of like it was made from two different cars.
This car is 2 colours because the body is a Weyman body and covered in what we called moleskine (some sort of antique skai)onto a wood frame . onlt the wings and the bonnet are metal. This was Weyman specialty.
Bugatti, kissing, fries, toast and “never fired, dropped once” rifles are what the french contributed to the world over time…
Not to mention helping us win the American Revolution (e.g., Marquis de Lafayette).
Sorry, but the – never fired, only dropped once – joke refers to the Italian army, especially as it relates to their ¨stellar¨ performance in WW2. As far as the Bugatti goes, it started out as a German car which was ¨inherited¨ by the French after WW1 – sort of like Skoda and Tatra were inherited by the Czechs at the same time. Bugatti had been unable to obtain employment in Italy and consequently went to work in Germany for the Deutz tractor manufacturing company, Deutz being one of the major European industrial enterprises at the time specializing in tractors, steam machinery, locomotives and the like, later joining forces with Magirus.
“Never fired, only dropped once” refers to the MAS-36, the French main battle rifle of the Second World War, and is based on the fact that the French Army was utterly overrun and defeated by the German Blitzkrieg in May and June of 1940.
Wow, 4,000 rpm with what appears to be a long stroke engine is remarkable.
When cars were actually hand built and lasted. Ninety-four years old and still running. We will never see a 94 year old Honda still running unless it sat in a collection.
Frank D, I am not so sure about that. Todays cars and trucks are vastly superior to those of yesteryear on practically all levels. The area in which cars of the past where superior was individuality and the ability to differentiate bewteen designers; for example a 1935 Hupmobile was fundamentally different from a Chrysler of the same vintage.Today, the differences are minimal, the designers are anonymous, mostly design teams with the aid of computers, there is a depressing sameness across the board these days. When comparing Formula One racing today with the equivalent of the past, one is struck by the truly deadening equality (the kiss of death in all areas) which rules – the drivers all look alike, speak alike act alike, (infantile fools) all cars are alike (there are no fundamental differences whatsoever), all circuits are boring cookie cutter affairs, there is absolutely no individuality on any level, anyplace. The same applies to car designs – there are no more great designers and if there were, they wouldn´t stand a chance in the equalized, corporate world, it doesn´t matter what one drives – essentially they are all alike. In addition most manufacturers are cross-national, such as Jaguar, Volvo, Renault, even giants like Fiat or VW are essentially international. When one considers that Opel, an ancient German powerhouse and technological giant – rocket powered airplanes in 1928 (!!) for example, has been reduced to be a second-hand Peugeot (?), you realize that things automotive are indeed in a bad way and actually unnatural. Looking at todays American cars, makes one despaire, the greatness seemingly a thing of the past, it´s just terrible what happened, what the ¨free¨ market has resulted in. You may very well be right in your prediction, however it has nothing to do with old cars having been ¨better¨. They were expressions of individual thought, of nationalistic thought and THAT is sadly taboo today because it has resulted in a second-rate morass of mediocrity. The most common denominator has been lowered by the deadly equalizers to a degree not even Orwell could have fathomed. Todays cars are merely an indicator of our dying civilization. THAT is why no one will preserve them. How can anyone honor the lowest common denominator?
You lost credibility when you said the Italians were the ” Never fired, dropped once” folks. and .. you are long winded..
If photo 30/31 in the auction listing, is of the same car, it looks like it originally had disc wheels. No problem, just saying. Could you imagine the beautiful music that would emit from the exhaust with those 8 exhausts into two seperate headers, then into one.
So sorry for being -long winded-, I know history isn´t to everybody´s liking and I should refrain from going into it. As far as my credibility goes, geez, I am going to cry any minute now, having lost it to someone as worthy as you.