Press Release

Exquisite French Motorcars to Lead Gooding & Company’s 10th Anniversary Pebble Beach Auctions

SANTA MONICA, Calif. (August 1, 2013) – Gooding & Company, the official auction house of the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance®, will offer a strong selection of exquisite French motorcars during its Pebble Beach Auctions on August 17 and 18. Led by a 1937 Bugatti Type 57SC Atalante (estimate available on request), a 1925 Bugatti Type 35 Grand Prix (estimate: $2,500,000-3,000,000) and a 1935 Avions Voisin C25 Aérodyne (estimate: $2,000,000-3,000,000), this rich offering is a celebration of historic and unique achievements by French marques. “Automobile artistry and engineering were at their apex in the late 1920s and 1930s and these two exquisite Bugattis and the Avions Voisin are stunning examples of this. As Gooding & Company celebrates ten years since its first auction, we are honored to feature these exquisite pieces of French motorcar history,” says David Gooding, President and founder of Gooding & Company.

1937 Bugatti Type 57SC Atalante Kicking off the French offerings is a 1937 Bugatti Type 57SC Atalante (estimate available on request), an undisputed masterpiece of automotive art. This car boasts a radically beautiful Jean Bugatti design with a competition-derived surbaisse chassis with a factory supercharger. It is an extremely authentic example with original chassis, engine and coachwork. This 57SC Atalante features outstanding, unbroken provenance including participation in the prestigious inaugural International Bugatti Meeting in 1958. Faithfully presented in its original black livery, this Bugatti has been masterfully restored to the highest standards and was awarded first in class at The Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance® in 2011. This 57SC Atalante has been documented by Bugatti Historian Julius Kruta and in every respect is a true mechanical objet d’art.

1925 Bugatti Type 35 Grand Prix Continuing the outstanding lineup is a numbers-matching, original bodied Bugatti Type 35 (estimate: $2,500,000-3,000,000). Debuting at the 1924 French Grand Prix, the Type 35 was a significantly more modern racing car for Bugatti. It was intended not just to compete, but to win. The chassis was extremely light and featured, for the first time, Bugatti’s well known arrangement with the front leaf springs running through the hollow axle. Furthermore, Bugatti implemented the revolutionary cast alloy wheels, which included the brake drum. This early and highly correct example of the legendary Grand Prix Bugatti was displayed on the marque’s stand at the Olympia Motor Show in October 1925 and boasts period competition history including victory at its first race at Brooklands. This striking blue vehicle features known ownership from new including Woolf Barnato, a wide-ranging sportsman and millionaire, who is best known for his financial interest in Bentley Motors and three time winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. This car has been serviced by multiple marquee experts and is documented by Bugatti Historian David Sewell.

1935 Avions Voisin C25 Aérodyne Also on offer during the Pebble Beach Auctions is a stunning, elaborately detailed 1935 Voisin Aérodyne (estimate: $2,000,000-3,000,000).  Known as ‘The Car of the Future’ when it was first announced, the French Aérodyne was inspired by the same pioneering spirit that revolutionized design and ushered in the modern era.  Distinct style traits and aerodynamic lines are featured throughout the two-tone dark navy and light gray exterior and elegant, yet very modern, tapestry interior.  Unique features of the Voisin Aérodyne include a stylized sliding roof with portholes, a streamlined trunk that boasts disappearing wings, and a variety of unique finishes and fixtures throughout. One of just eight produced and four known to exist, this particular example offers the unique opportunity to acquire one of the prewar era’s most significant automobiles.

Additional highlights include a rare-to-market 1937 Delage D8-120 Deltasport Three-Position Cabriolet (estimate: $750,000-900,000) and a one-of-a-kind 1950 Talbot Lago T26 Grand Prix Child's Car (estimate: $50,000-75,000), among others.

Gooding & Company’s 2013 Pebble Beach Auctions will take place on Saturday and Sunday, August 17 and 18 at the Pebble Beach Equestrian Center, located at the corner of Portola Road and Stevenson Drive. Preview days will start on Wednesday, August 14, and continue through Sunday, August 18. The auctions will commence at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday and 6:00 p.m. on Sunday. Gooding & Company’s Pebble Beach Auctions catalogues are available for $100 and admit two to the viewing and the auctions. General admission tickets to the viewing and auctions may be purchased on-site for $40. Auctions are broadcast live from Gooding & Company’s website. Bidder registration forms, press credentials and additional auction information are also available on http://www.goodingco.com or by calling (310) 899-1960. For additional vehicle information and up-to-the-minute results, follow Gooding & Company on Facebook and Twitter @GoodingCompany.

Still have questions? Contact us!

Fill the form to get in touch with our specialists.

Send Us Your Question