A family in Newcastle, England, found an unusual inheritance in a late relative's garage: a rare 1937 Bugatti automobile that could fetch millions at auction. Anchor Marco Werman has details.
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MARCO: Now, a little news note to pass along. 2009 is already shaping up nicely for one family in Newcastle, England. The nieces and nephews of a reclusive surgeon who died recently at the age of 89 found quite a surprise when they opened up their uncle's garage. It's a rare 1937 Bugatti 57S Atalante. It doesn't sound as familiar as a 57 Bel Air, but the Bugatti is the automotive equivalent of say a fine Picasso painting. Only 17 of these speedy two-seaters were ever made, not by machine, but completely by hand. In an era when most cars topped out at 50 miles per hour this Bugatti could hit 130. We managed to dig up a short piece of archival sound. Listen, this is a 57S Atalante revving its twin-cam engine. [REVVING ENGINE] But the dusty model found in Newcastle has been sitting undriven since 1960.
Bonhams, the high-end auctioneering house, says all of the car's original equipment is intact. It can be restored, experts say, without relying on replacement parts. The rare Bugatti could fetch up to $9 million when it goes on the auction block early next month. By the way, the Bugatti wasn't the only cool car sitting in that Newcastle garage. There was also an Aston-Martin and a Jaguar. Not surprisingly, relatives describe the late owner as a hoarder who never threw anything out. And the man's name? Harold Carr. I swear I'm not making it up.
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