Bugatti Type 49

The Type 49 was Bugatti's late-1920s touring car, and this 1930 example (chassis 49125) has an unusual story. The current owner found it in Hungary, behind the Iron Curtain, and brought it to the UK more than 30 years ago. The original body was too far gone to keep and was discarded before export. This is the first time the car has been offered for sale.

Ivan Dutton, the Bugatti specialist, rebuilt it mechanically. The engine uses a single-plug block with 8:1 high-compression pistons and a high-ratio crown wheel and pinion, which gives relaxed touring gearing of about 30mph per 1,000rpm. The dealer describes the components as correct Bugatti items and says it has the right Type 49 wheels.

The roadster body is a modern one-off. Geoff Henderson built it in Consett, County Durham, to a design inspired by the Jean Bugatti Type 55 but with a dickey seat. It is finished in yellow with black accents. Gentry Restoration has looked after the car for about 20 years, and it has been used at VSCC events including Prescott and Silverstone. The page gives 4,875 miles since new and describes it as ready to drive.