A Bugatti Type 43 Torpédo Grand Sport or an Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 SS spider?

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Which one would you choose? This 1927 Bugatti Type 43 Torpédo Grand Sport or this 1939 Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 SS spider. Both cars will be auctioned this Sunday, the 8th of April 2018 by Artcurial.

First, let`s have a closer look at the Bugatti Type 43. In 1999 the car was sold with the French registration document, identified as chassis n° 43186. However, there are some doubts and speculations about the history of the car, the previous owner(s) and other Bugatti chassis n°. This also reflects the estimate of the car; between €500 000 and €800 000. But what do you get for this?

The Bugatti is inspected in Paris on the 1st of March 2018 by Articurial. The auction house describes the observations that can be made in detail on their website. In a nutshell, we can tell you the car is a mix of original Bugatti parts, vintage parts, and new parts. All the erased and engraved numbers might form some sort of formula, but until today this seems very mysterious.

Pierre-Yves Laugier from Artcurial says the following: “the vehicle offered for sale is conforming, in terms of external appearance, to the Type 43 Grand Sport. It conforms mechanically to the 2,300 cm3 engine created by Bugatti in 1927. Its engine was last serviced in Spring 2009 by one of France's leading Bugatti workshops, Roseau Racing Restauration, under the direction of Henri Roseau (who apprenticed at Laurent Rondoni in Carpentras), using parts supplied by Brineton Engineering (U.K.). The axles and gear-box are vintage, doubtless Type 44 and very similar to those of Type 43. The chassis is conforming to the original design, but the origin of the chassis is unknown, and construction does not appear to have been in line with original Bugatti Type 43 production criteria.”

It is undoubtedly a lovely looking Bugatti. If you are looking for a car with charming patina, various original Bugatti pieces, and a (proper) rebuild engine, this car is worth having a look at. As this Bugatti comes with French registration, the car is ready-to-drive. The new owner will have a lot of fun this rally season. A lot of kilometers can be made during national and international events.

Now let's have a look at the Alfa Romeo 6C. “According to the manufacturer's plate, this chassis, n° 915010, corresponds to a Sport Touring spider that left the factory on 7 April 1939. In all probability, however, it comes from a 2500 Super Sport coupé built by Touring,” as described by Artcurial.

At the end of the 1980s, the car was discovered by the Italian collector Corrado Cupellini. Under his ownership, some modifications were made to the car. He changed the engine to a straight-six twin overhead cam engine, belonging to the prestigious line of engines designed by Vittorio Jano. This engine n°823915, came from a 1937 6C 2300 B "Pescara". Besides this, a coachbuilder from Bergamo, Italy fitted a new spider body inspired by Bianchetti's 2.5-litre competition car he owned earlier. The result can be seen today.

Later the car was sold to a French collector, who took part with the Alfa Romeo in the 1991 Mille Miglia Storica. The car has been in the same ownership for over 25 years but is now looking for a new driver. If you are looking for an extremely elegant car with lovely looking patina. This Alfa with pre-war Alfa Romeo chassis and engine is definitely worth considering.

This Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 SS spider is estimated between €200 000 and €300 000 and offered at no reserve.

Which one of those two would you choose, if you could pick one to drive home? The auction starts at 16:00 in Paris so be there!

Photographs courtesy Artcurial.

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