Death, taxes, and the Scottsdale auctions being dominated by multi-million pound Ferraris: nothing in this world is more certain. Away from the inevitable world record contenders, however, lie a wealth of fascinating classics, ranging from microcars to pre-war racers.
Undoubtedly one of the early stars is a 1925 Bugatti Type 35, which was sold new in Paris to American Standard Oil heir Wallis C Bird. When it wasn’t garaged at his famed ‘Farnsworth’ mansion it was being raced, with Bird taking part in a number of events on the east coast prior to losing his life in an aviation accident in 1941.
The Bugatti remained the care of his wife until she too passed away, and in 1961 it was bought by pioneering collector Henry Austin Clark as part of the ‘Car Auction of the Century’ sale, orchestrated by the Bird estate. Incredibly, the car stayed with Clark for the next 35 years, prior to its sale in Scottsdale.
