Gregor Wenner
Specialist Consultant
LOT 156
1925 Bugatti Type 35 Grand Prix Two-Seater Chassis no. 4644 Engine no. 45
Sold for €759,000 inc. premiumLot to be sold without reserve
Lot 156
Single ownership since 1963
1925 Bugatti Type 35 Grand Prix Two-Seater
1925 Bugatti Type 35 Grand Prix Two-Seater
1925 Bugatti Type 35 Grand Prix Two-Seater
Chassis no. 4644
Engine no. 45
Chassis no. 4644
Engine no. 45
• Delivered new in Spain
• In the same collection for over 60 years
• Has remained in Spain throughout its life
• 2-litre engine no. 45 from chassis 4640
• Pierre-Yves Laugier's report included in the documentation
• Eligible for numerous prestigious international competitions
• Offered without any registration title
Delivered new on 25 November 1925 to the dealer Bertrand y Serra in Madrid, according to Bugatti factory records, the Type 35 chassis 4644 was originally fitted with engine no. 61. Its history is intricately linked to the broader story of Spain's past.
In 1929, it was registered under the name of Rogelio Periquet, a young Madrid-based lawyer in his twenties. A member of the bar, secretary of the Spanish Touring Club, and author of two film scripts, Periquet was also an opponent of Franco, actively involved in the Fifth Column, which led to his imprisonment.
As historian Salvador Claret recounts, the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) marked a turning point for vehicles: many were requisitioned, while their owners dismantled engines and starters to render them unusable. Aluminium, bronze, and brass were often looted as they could easily be sold. A decree mandated that these cars be stored in safe locations, such as barracks, warehouses, or arenas. A few months later, an official list of requisitioned vehicles was published in the State Official Bulletin. Chassis 4644 is mentioned in it: "This vehicle, chassis no. 4644, is parked, awaiting collection in the vehicle establishment and workshops of the 3rd military region." This context likely explains the separation of the chassis from its original engine and body.
About 1947, the engine number 45, originally from chassis 4640, was integrated into chassis 4644.
This Bugatti #4644 entered the collection of its current owner in 1963, purchased from Doctor José Fausto Martinez Moreno, a radiologist based in Almería in southeastern Spain.
A comprehensive restoration was undertaken starting in 1970 by the English workshop Tula Engineering, led by Richard I'Anson, preserving the original mechanics, with each major component originating from chassis 4644 and dating to 1925. The engine no. 45, which now equips the car, originally belonged to chassis 4640, while a new body was fabricated. Decades later, maintenance was entrusted to the restoration workshop of Pierre Arnaud in Saint-Loubès.
The car's file includes some invoices for the work carried out in England, a summary of interventions conducted between 1996 and 2014, and documents for its temporary importation into England (1966-1984). A Spanish inspection also certifies the vehicle's compliance for registration and road use. Lastly, a report by Pierre-Yves Laugier, available for consultation, provides a detailed account of the components and history of this Bugatti.
The Bugatti Type 35 remains one of the most celebrated and successful racing cars in history. This legacy makes it eligible for numerous prestigious classic events. For many, few automotive experiences compare to the thrill of driving a pre-war Bugatti. Powered by an inline eight-cylinder engine, this Type 35 #4644 embodies timeless elegance, exceptional craftsmanship, and unparalleled performance, hallmarks of the Bugatti brand. Perfect to enhance any collection, it also promises an unrivalled experience in classic racing.
_______________________________________________________
• In the same collection for over 60 years
• Has remained in Spain throughout its life
• 2-litre engine no. 45 from chassis 4640
• Pierre-Yves Laugier's report included in the documentation
• Eligible for numerous prestigious international competitions
• Offered without any registration title
Delivered new on 25 November 1925 to the dealer Bertrand y Serra in Madrid, according to Bugatti factory records, the Type 35 chassis 4644 was originally fitted with engine no. 61. Its history is intricately linked to the broader story of Spain's past.
In 1929, it was registered under the name of Rogelio Periquet, a young Madrid-based lawyer in his twenties. A member of the bar, secretary of the Spanish Touring Club, and author of two film scripts, Periquet was also an opponent of Franco, actively involved in the Fifth Column, which led to his imprisonment.
As historian Salvador Claret recounts, the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) marked a turning point for vehicles: many were requisitioned, while their owners dismantled engines and starters to render them unusable. Aluminium, bronze, and brass were often looted as they could easily be sold. A decree mandated that these cars be stored in safe locations, such as barracks, warehouses, or arenas. A few months later, an official list of requisitioned vehicles was published in the State Official Bulletin. Chassis 4644 is mentioned in it: "This vehicle, chassis no. 4644, is parked, awaiting collection in the vehicle establishment and workshops of the 3rd military region." This context likely explains the separation of the chassis from its original engine and body.
About 1947, the engine number 45, originally from chassis 4640, was integrated into chassis 4644.
This Bugatti #4644 entered the collection of its current owner in 1963, purchased from Doctor José Fausto Martinez Moreno, a radiologist based in Almería in southeastern Spain.
A comprehensive restoration was undertaken starting in 1970 by the English workshop Tula Engineering, led by Richard I'Anson, preserving the original mechanics, with each major component originating from chassis 4644 and dating to 1925. The engine no. 45, which now equips the car, originally belonged to chassis 4640, while a new body was fabricated. Decades later, maintenance was entrusted to the restoration workshop of Pierre Arnaud in Saint-Loubès.
The car's file includes some invoices for the work carried out in England, a summary of interventions conducted between 1996 and 2014, and documents for its temporary importation into England (1966-1984). A Spanish inspection also certifies the vehicle's compliance for registration and road use. Lastly, a report by Pierre-Yves Laugier, available for consultation, provides a detailed account of the components and history of this Bugatti.
The Bugatti Type 35 remains one of the most celebrated and successful racing cars in history. This legacy makes it eligible for numerous prestigious classic events. For many, few automotive experiences compare to the thrill of driving a pre-war Bugatti. Powered by an inline eight-cylinder engine, this Type 35 #4644 embodies timeless elegance, exceptional craftsmanship, and unparalleled performance, hallmarks of the Bugatti brand. Perfect to enhance any collection, it also promises an unrivalled experience in classic racing.
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Footnotes
Dans les mains du même propriétaire depuis 1963
1925 Bugatti Type 35 Grand Prix deux places
Chassis n°4644
Engine n°45
• Livrée neuve en Espagne
• Au sein de la même collection depuis plus de 60 ans
• A demeuré sa vie durant en Espagne
• Moteur 2 litres n°45 issu du châssis 4640
• Rapport de Pierre-Yves Laugier au dossier
• Eligible à de nombreuses et prestigieuses compétitions internationales
• Présentée sans titre d'immatriculation
Livrée neuve le 25 novembre 1925 au concessionnaire Bertrand y Serra à Madrid, selon les archives de l'usine Bugatti, la Type 35 châssis 4644 était alors équipée du moteur n°61. Son histoire est intimement liée à celle de la Grande Histoire espagnole.
En 1929, elle est immatriculée au nom de Rogelio Periquet, un jeune avocat madrilène d'une vingtaine d'années. Membre du barreau, secrétaire du Touring Club Espagnol et auteur de deux scénarios de film, Periquet était également un opposant à Franco, engagé dans la Cinquième colonne, ce qui lui valut l'emprisonnement.
Comme le relate l'historien Salvador Claret, la guerre civile espagnole (1936-1939) marqua un tournant pour les véhicules : beaucoup furent réquisitionnés, tandis que leurs propriétaires, pour les rendre inutilisables, démontaient moteurs et démarreurs. L'aluminium, le bronze et le laiton étaient souvent pillés, car facilement revendables. Un décret imposa de regrouper ces voitures dans des lieux sûrs, tels que des casernes, des entrepôts ou des arènes.
Quelques mois plus tard, une liste officielle des véhicules réquisitionnés fut publiée dans le Bulletin Officiel de l'État. Le châssis 4644 y est mentionné : « Ce véhicule châssis 4644 est garé avant d'être récupéré dans le parc automobile et les ateliers de la 3ᵉ région militaire. » Ce contexte explique probablement la séparation du châssis avec son moteur et sa caisse d'origine. Aux alentours de 1947 probablement, le moteur n°45 issu à l'origine du châssis 4640 est intégré au châssis 4644.
Cette Bugatti #4644 rejoint la collection, en 1963, de son propriétaire actuel qui l'acquiert auprès du Docteur José Fausto Martinez Moreno, radiologue à Almeria, dans le sud-est de l'Espagne.
Une restauration complète est engagée, à partir de 1970, par l'atelier anglais Tula Engineering, sous la direction de Richard I'Anson, préservant la mécanique d'origine, dont chaque composant majeur provient du châssis 4644 et date de 1925. Le moteur n°45 qui l'équipe, équipait originellement le châssis 4640, tandis qu'une nouvelle caisse est fabriquée. Quelques décennies plus tard, l'entretien est confié à l'atelier de restauration de Pierre Arnaud, à Saint-Loubès.
Le dossier de la voiture comprend des factures des travaux réalisés en Angleterre, un récapitulatif des interventions menées entre 1996 et 2014, ainsi que les documents d'importation temporaire en Angleterre (1966-1984). Une inspection espagnole atteste également de la conformité du véhicule pour son immatriculation et sa circulation. Enfin, le rapport de Pierre-Yves Laugier disponible à la consultation, détaille précisément les composantes et l'histoire de cette Bugatti.
La Bugatti Type 35 demeure l'une des voitures de course les plus célèbres et victorieuses de l'histoire. Cet héritage la rend éligible à de nombreux événements classiques prestigieux. Pour beaucoup, peu d'expériences automobiles égalent l'excitation de piloter une Bugatti d'avant-guerre. Dotée d'un moteur à huit cylindres en ligne, cette Type 35 #4644 incarne l'élégance intemporelle, le savoir-faire exceptionnel et les performances hors normes typiques de la marque. Idéale pour enrichir toute collection, elle promet également une expérience sans commune mesure en compétition classique.
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