The $4 Million Barn Find Bugatti Hidden in a Garage for 50 Years
In 2009, one of the most astonishing barn finds in automotive history stunned the collector car world. Hidden in a dusty garage in Newcastle, England, sat a 1937 Bugatti Type 57S Atalante—untouched, forgotten, and coated in nearly five decades of dust.
When auction house Bonhams announced its discovery, enthusiasts called it a 'once-in-a-lifetime treasure.' But the story behind how this car ended up locked away is almost as fascinating as the car itself.
Watch the full story of this incredible Bugatti barn find in our video below.
A Forgotten Treasure
The Bugatti was found in the garage of Dr. Harold Carr, an eccentric British orthopedic surgeon who purchased the car in 1955. Once owned by Francis Curzon, the 5th Earl Howe, a renowned Le Mans racer, the Type 57S Atalante was already considered a rare and desirable car in the 1950s.
But sometime in the 1960s, Carr parked the Bugatti and never drove it again. For the next 50 years, it sat untouched, with cracked tires, cobwebbed headlights, and dust settling on every surface—a true time capsule.
What Makes the Bugatti Type 57S Atalante Special
The Type 57S Atalante is one of the most sought-after pre-war Bugattis ever built. Only 17 were produced, and its design was considered revolutionary at the time.
Equipped with a 3.3-liter straight-eight engine, the 57S Atalante was lightweight, elegant, and fast, with a distinctive teardrop-shaped body that has become one of the most iconic Bugatti silhouettes in history.
The fact that this particular car still had its original components intact after 50 years of storage made it even more valuable to collectors.
The Auction Frenzy
When the Bugatti crossed the auction block at Bonhams in Paris, collectors from around the world competed for the chance to own it.
Despite its dusty, unrestored condition, the Atalante sold for an incredible £3.4 million—around $4.4 million USD. Some argued it should be preserved exactly as it was found, while others believed a full restoration would reveal its original beauty.
The Mystery of Why It Was Hidden
The biggest question remains: why did Dr. Carr hide the car for so long?
Some believe he lost interest in driving as he grew older. Others suggest he may have wanted to preserve the car's originality, knowing it could someday be historically significant. There's even speculation that financial concerns or personal reasons may have played a role.
Whatever the reason, Carr's decision inadvertently created one of the most important barn finds of all time.
A Once-in-a-Lifetime Find
Today, the Bugatti Atalante serves as a reminder that automotive treasures are still out there, hidden in garages, barns, and sheds, waiting to be discovered.
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