rare 1937 Bugatti 57S Atalante found (Bugatti Atalante/Atlante 57S)

An extremely rare 1937 Bugatti 57s Atalante (Atlante) has been found gathering dust in a garage somewhere in England in what could be the biggest barn discoveries in the history of automobiles. And experts believe it could fetch as much as eight million dollars (6.2 million Euros/6 million British pounds) when it is auctioned at a Paris auto show next month.

The 1937 Bugatti was owned by reclusive surgeon Harold Carr who apparently left it to gather dust in his garage after only a few uses. After all, he has other classic automobiles to toy with. Also found in the same garage were a vintage Aston Martin and a
Jaguar E-Type. But it was the 1937 57s Bugatti Atalante (Atlante) that caught the fancy of its discoverers as it is very rare. Reportedly, only 17 were ever made and this Bugatti is even rarer because of its almost mint condition - all original, never been retouched or restored. This is the reason why the auto world is all abuzz with this find.

Harold Carr (what an appropriate name) dies a few years ago and left his estate to his nephews who at first thought what they found was just a clunky old car. Imagine their surprise when they found out how valuable it was. "We just can't believe it. It's worth so much because he hasn't used it for 50 years. It was one of the original super cars. When it was built it could reach 130 miles (210 kilometers) per hour when most cars could only do 50. Of course we're delighted and we're going to make sure the money is shared out among the family. It's a wonderful thing to leave."

The car was reportedly first owned by British race car driver Earl Howe who bought it in 1937 and used it for some eight years. After it changed hands several times, Carr bought it in 1955, and drove it for a few years before parking it in the garage in the early 1960s where it remained until his death.

We have read of so many barn discoveries in the past but this one is different. There have been many discovered paintings, china, watches and other trinkets but this is one of the best, an all-original 1937 Bugatti 57s Atalante (1937 Bugatti Atlante) that has been preserved all these years. Keep checking your garages and attics. You may just find the next big discovery. (The Bugatti 57s Atalante/Atlante is similar to the one featured in the video below, the 1937 Bugatti 57C Atalante)

1937 Bugatti Atalante / 1937 Bugatti Atlante

Here's more info about this classic car courtesy of Wikipedia:

The Bugatti Type 57 and later variants (including the famous Atlantic and Atalante) was an entirely new design by Jean Bugatti, son of founder Ettore. Type 57s were built from 1934 through 1940, with a total of 710 examples produced.

Most Type 57s used a twin-cam 3257 cc engine based on that of the Type 49 but heavily modified by Jean Bugatti. Unlike the chain-drive twin-cam engines of the Type 50 and 51, the 57's engine used gears to transmit power from the crankshaft.

The Type 57S/SC is one of the best-known Bugatti cars. The "S" stood for "surbaissé" ("lowered"), though most felt it stood for "sport". It included a v-shaped dip at the bottom of the radiator and mesh grilles on either side of the engine compartment.

Lowering the car was a major undertaking. The rear axle now passed through the rear frame rather than riding under it, and a dry-sump lubrication system was required to fit the engine under the new low hood. The 57S had a nearly-independent suspension in front, though Ettore despised that notion.

Just 40 "surbaissé" cars were built. Dimensions:

* Wheelbase: 117.3 in (2979 mm)
* Track: 53.1 in (1349 mm)
* Weight: 2100 lb (950 kg)

The Atalante was a two door coupe body style similar to and built after the Atlantic, built on both the Type 57 and 57S, but with a single piece windscreen and no fin. Only 17 Atalante cars were made, four of which reside in the Cité de l'Automobile Museum in Mulhouse, France (formerly known as the Musee Nationale de L'Automobile de Mulhouse). The name Atalante was derived from a heroine of Greek mythology, Atalanta.