Bugatti Type 49 Coupe

Known as "The Berlin Bugatti", this Type 49 is believed to be the only one bodied by Bugatti itself, to a design by a very young Jean Bugatti. The three-seat, two-door coupe has a sideways-facing rear seat and an interior more luxurious than Bugatti usually offered. It was probably built as a show car: it spent more than a year with the Swiss distributor before sale, and was exhibited at the Berlin Motor Show, where Dr Roger Abry bought it as an engagement present for Kitty Holbrook.

Kitty kept the car for around four decades, longer than any other original Bugatti owner, and turned away repeated offers from Fritz Schlumpf. It was partly dismantled and hidden during the war to keep it from German forces. It was recommissioned in England from 1973 and given its British registration, WRD 49T, in 1978. The original French plates remain under the newer ones. It later spent time in the USA with the Spilsbury family, passed through a Christie's sale in 2007, and returned to Europe in 2009. It now belongs to a collector in Northern Ireland.

The page describes a high degree of originality. It is still in its original blue, black, silver and orange scheme, and almost every component is as fitted at the factory. The only obvious change is an early electric fuel pump. The wire wheels with discs are correct for an early car. A thick file of documentation supports the history. No mileage is stated, and the price is marked as accepted. Viewing is near Belfast.