JohnCenaFan28
01-02-2009, 07:10 PM
Relatives of an 89-year-old eccentric were left a garage in his will - and found the world?s most valuable car inside.
The nephew and niece could become overnight millionaires when the 1937 Bugatti Type 57S Atalante, one of only 17 made in the world, is sold next month.
Experts believe it could be worth up to £6 million, reports the Daily Mirror.
Dr Harold Carr, who died without ever marrying or having children, left the run-of-the-mill garage to his relatives. It also contained a classic Aston Martin and a Jaguar E Type.
His nephew, an engineer from Gosforth, Newcastle, who does not wish to be named, said: ?We just cannot believe it was there. We knew he had some cars, but we had no idea what they were.
?It was a bit of local folklore that he had a Bugatti, but no-one knew for sure, and certainly no one knew how much it was worth.
?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 classic car, which had been parked up since 1960, has now been unveiled as the highlight of Bonham?s Retromobile car show and sale in Paris.
James Knight, international head of Bonhams? motoring department said: ?I have known of this Bugatti for a number of years and, like a select group of others, hadn?t dared divulge its whereabouts to anyone.
?It is absolutely one of the last great barn discoveries, and we at Bonhams are honoured to have been selected to handle its sale?
-Nova
The nephew and niece could become overnight millionaires when the 1937 Bugatti Type 57S Atalante, one of only 17 made in the world, is sold next month.
Experts believe it could be worth up to £6 million, reports the Daily Mirror.
Dr Harold Carr, who died without ever marrying or having children, left the run-of-the-mill garage to his relatives. It also contained a classic Aston Martin and a Jaguar E Type.
His nephew, an engineer from Gosforth, Newcastle, who does not wish to be named, said: ?We just cannot believe it was there. We knew he had some cars, but we had no idea what they were.
?It was a bit of local folklore that he had a Bugatti, but no-one knew for sure, and certainly no one knew how much it was worth.
?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 classic car, which had been parked up since 1960, has now been unveiled as the highlight of Bonham?s Retromobile car show and sale in Paris.
James Knight, international head of Bonhams? motoring department said: ?I have known of this Bugatti for a number of years and, like a select group of others, hadn?t dared divulge its whereabouts to anyone.
?It is absolutely one of the last great barn discoveries, and we at Bonhams are honoured to have been selected to handle its sale?
-Nova