Type 40 Drophead Coupe Berlutteau 1929

Thanks to our website, the heirs of this Bugatti Type 40’s first owner contacted us in the aim to sale it. Pictures and e-mails are exchanged  and now this 40 is searching for a new owner. It is an exceptional car because presented as being in the same family since origin and being in absolute original condition.

This Bugatti Type 40, chassis #40816, has been bought new as a chassis by Mister Louis Vernin at the end of 1929. Mister Vernin was a pharmacist and was Chairman of “Laboratoires Pharmaceutiques Vernin” at Melun (France). This chassis was delivered by road from Molsheim to Melun, to the coachbuilder Berlutteau who realised this nice drophead coupé. Mister Vernin used this Bugatti as second-car and drove it for 35 000 km before to store it in 1935. The son of the owner put it back on the road in 1955 and registered it in the new French registration system. It is then lent to a friend who abandons it near Sarcelles (Paris suburb). Louis Vernin got it back before it was vandalised and keep it at home. In 1995, it is lent to the SNECMA Museum which could restore it. As nothing happens, the Vernin heirs wish to sale the Bugatti to a real amateur who will restore it to its original condition.

This car is announced with : - engine complete and un-blocked, - upholstery and body absolutely original, - dashboard instruments were dismantled in the aim to avoid robbery, but speedo or rev-counter is missing (Jaeger), - missing rear trunk, - French papers.

To note that a picture of this car figures in the book “Bugatti Type 40” by Barrie Price and Jean-Louis Arbey, page 48, with this legend :
- Chassis 40816. An elegant Drophead Coupé by an unknown coachbuilder. However, such a high grade production is probably the work of Figoni or Gangloff - Coming from the judgement by two specialists, it’s a nice compliment to Berlutteau’s work.

Please make offer from 50 000 euros. For a same price offer, Mister Vernin would prefer to sale it to a Club’s Member. Moreover, the Vernin family would prefer that this Bugatti remains in France.

- Sold in January 2004 -

Click on the pictures to enlarge
other pictures of engine and upholstery soon here

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