By David C.R. Neyens, Motorcopia
Coming to Artcurial’s January 27th Automobile Legends auction at The Peninsula, Paris – one of the most historically significant prewar Grand Prix cars ever offered. Photo Credit: Maximilian-Vogl via Artcurial.
1931 Bugatti T51 – Chassis N° 51132 Frame N°704 Engine N°189 ex-51138
– Entered by the factory in the 1931 Belgian Grand Prix with Divo and Bouriat
– The car in which legendary driver J.P. Wimille achieved his first victory in a Bugatti
– The only Bugatti Type 51 equipped with Figoni bodywork in the 1930s
– Formerly owned by Marc Newson
– Carefully restored by Derek Hitchman
– Engine redone in correct 2300cc configuration by Antoine Schann (Bugatelier)
– Numerous original parts
– Exhaustively Documented by Bugatti expert, Pierre-Yves Laugier
As one of the dominant manufacturers of the glorious pre-WW II racing era, Bugatti was truly the marque of champions, and the name remains the stuff of legends today. In particular, the Type 51 built on the success of the Type 35, equipped with an advanced new DOHC cylinder-head design, reputedly inspired by the fast and advanced front-drive Millers from America. Consistent with its progenitor, the Bugatti Type 51 was a handcrafted artwork on four wheels and remains one of the most distinctive and visually beautiful racing cars ever conceived, regardless of the era.
Two versions were offered, the T-51 with either 2.0-liter or 2.3-liter engines, and the T-51A with a 1.5-liter supercharged powerplant. Type 51 production ran from 1931 through 1935, with marque authorities citing 40 built in all, including a small number of cars upgraded at Bugatti’s Molsheim works from supercharged single-cam Type 35 racing cars. Weighing only around 750 kilograms (1,654 pounds), the Type 51 was capable of exceeding 140 mph. While the Type 51 was eventually outgunned by the Alfa Romeo, Auto Union, and Mercedes-Benz GP cars to come during the 1930s, the Bugatti was highly successful throughout the top European races of the era in the hands of legends including Louis Chiron, Achille Varzi, William Grover-Williams, Jean-Pierre Wimille, and other legends of the sport.
In particular, Bugatti is the make forever intertwined with the fortunes of French driver Jean-Pierre Wimille, who made his Grand Prix debut in a Bugatti T37 at the 1930 French Grand Prix in Pau.
Driving the Bugatti T51, Wimille began his long victory tally, winning the La Turbie hill climb, the Grand Prix de Lorraine, and, on April 24, 1932, the Grand Prix d’Oran, which Wimille won in this very T51, Chassis 51132. Wimille and Bugatti continued their winning ways until he switched to Alfa Romeo later in the 1932 racing season. Soon, however, he returned to the Bugatti fold, going on to win 10 Grands Prix for Bugatti and score epic victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1937 and 1939. After WW II, Wimille scored 12 wins from 1945 through 1948, driving Bugatti, Alfa Romeo, and Simca-Gordini entries. Sadly, Wimille’s career ended in Argentina while preparing to drive for Gordini in the Temporado series with teammate Juan-Manuel Fangio. During practice runs with a Simca-Gordini on January 28, 1949, in preparation for the Buenos Aires Grand Prix, Wimille suffered a fatal accident when he rolled the car and was thrown while attempting to avoid spectators standing on the track. It is safe to state that had the World Driving Championship Award been instituted by this time, Wimille would have been a top contender for the title.
In addition to its incomparable Bugatti heritage, J.P. Wimille provenance, and sheer excellence, Bugatti T51 51132 is certainly one of the most significant and thrilling artifacts from one of the most legendary chapters in the long history of motorsports. According to Artcurial, this significant Bugatti retains many of its original parts, including the chassis, aluminum body panels, hood and dashboard, extra-long levers, steering arms, steering box mount, seat crossmember, and aluminum transmission output shaft cover. Provenance includes a succession of owners in the U.K. between 1937 and 2022. The restoration was performed by Derek Hitchman and the engine, Numbered 189 and ex-Chassis 51138, is reported to have been redone in correct 2300cc configuration by Antoine Schann of Bugatelier.
Exhaustive research and documentation by Bugatti expert Pierre-Yves Laugier confirm the outstanding provenance and integrity of this Type 51. Based on the analysis by Monsieur Laugier, both FIVA and the German vehicle-registration authorities have officially restored the car’s original identity, with frame No. 704 corresponding to Chassis 51132 of the Bugatti Type 51. As offered, the car benefits from a fresh overhaul, its engine has been increased to 2,300 cc, and the Bugatti exhibits a superb patina. Out of respect for the auction company, it is worthwhile to consult the auction description and Pierre-Yves Laugier’s report directly for the definitive story on this heroic Bugatti Grand Prix race car. Pre-auction estimates are 1.3 million to 2 million Euros (approx. USD $1,517,000 to $2,333,973 at today’s rates on xe.com), reflecting the rarity and significance of this rare Bugatti GP car.
This Bugatti Type 51 is but one, and yet another, compelling offering to Artcurial’s upcoming Automobile Legends auction, slated for Thursday, January 27th at The Peninsula, Paris. Sure to draw international bidders, this piece of living motorsports history is an essential find for any proper collection celebrating the world’s racing legends. For North American bidders, be sure to call on Artcurial’s American specialist, Ed Fallon, for further details and bidder arrangements.
About Motorcopia
Motorcopia is an independent collector-car market intelligence and publishing platform founded by David C.R. Neyens, a veteran writer, researcher, and auction-catalogue specialist with a long-standing presence in the industry since2008.since 2008
Motorcopia delivers proprietary market indices – including the Market Pulse™, Forward Index™, Buy/Sell/Hold Index™, and ValueScope™ – alongside auction coverage, investment insights, and collector-vehicle analysis.
With a focus on serving high-net-worth collectors, advisors, and industry professionals, Motorcopia combines deep cataloguing expertise with data-driven reporting to spotlight actionable trends, opportunities, and results across the global collector-car market.
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