Bugatti discovery nets family £3m

Feb 9 2009 by Adrian Pearson, The Journal

A FORGOTTEN Bugatti left to gather dust in a Newcastle garage for 50 years has been sold at auction for £3,043,293.

The classic 1937 Bugatti Type 57S was bought by a telephone bidder when it went under the hammer at Bonhams’ Retromobile car show and sale in Paris.

When the family of Dr Harold Carr discovered the car after his death last year they had little idea just how valuable it would be.

The bachelor, from Gosforth, died in June 2007 aged 89 and had not driven the 130mph car since 1960.

Dr Carr’s eight heirs are today getting to grips with the £380,000 share of the fortune they have all come into thanks to a telephone bid from a buyer, whose identity has not been revealed.

One nephew, from Gosforth, who does not wish to be named, said he had been “overwhelmed” by the experience.

He said: “I’m going to miss it in a way. That’s why I will never sell Uncle Harry’s watch. I actually had it fixed and fitted with a new strap so I could bring it to Paris with me.

“But taking care of a car like that was actually quite a responsibility. I feel Harry would be proud that we’ve done the right thing, and the Bugatti has gone to an owner who will really appreciate it.

“Then, hopefully, it will all start to sink in over the next couple of days. I’m a realist anyway, so I’m sure that will happen.