A Bugatti Type 51 that sparked a furious debate in the classic-car world has scooped £302,400 today at Brightwells’ Leominster sale.
The car was thought by its late owner Alan Riley to have won the 1931 Casablanca Grand Prix in the hands of Count Stanislas Czaykowski. Riley acquired it in exchange for a 1931 Alfa Romeo 8C and a Maserati (previously reported as a 1954 250F).
After Riley died, the racer was recovered from a rubbish-filled garage by Brightwells and found to be “correct in almost every detail and with a very convincing patina”, but ultimately was deemed a well-executed copy.
We will bring you a full report from the on-going auction soon.
Click here for our previous story on this controversial car.
