Belgian sculptor August Thomassen kept three classic Bugattis for over a decade in the barn with a total value of over $1 million.
The poor financial situation of the 95-year-old sculptor forced him to do what he almost resisted his whole life – selling his three metal pets. Nevertheless, August Thomassen was never a wealthy car collector.
Three Bugattis he owns Thomassen bought in the late 1950s and early 60s, when the prices of such models came to the bottom. As his daughter declared to Dutch De Telegraaf, he was fascinated by the design and engineering solutions applied to the models of the French manufacturer at that time.
Bugatti Type 49 Berline from 1932 and Bugatti Type 57 Cabriolet from 1937 have been in traffic for years and have been used almost daily.
The third car, Bugatti Type 40 from 1929, was damaged in a car accident, but Thomassen never completed a body repair project in his own direction.
All three cars will be auctioned as part of the Artcurial’s Rétromobile 2019 event, and experts predict that the total figure will exceed one million euros.
