Bugatti discovery nets family pounds 3m; North heirs take a share of windfall.

Byline: Adrian Pearson Regional Affairs Correspondent

A FORGOTTEN Bugatti left to gather dust in a Newcastle garage for 50 years has been sold at auction for pounds 3,043,293.

The classic 1937 Bugatti Type 57S was bought by a telephone bidder when it went under the hammer at Bonhams' Retromobile car show and sale in Paris.

When the family of Dr Harold Carr discovered the car after his death last year they had little idea just how valuable it would be.

The bachelor, from Gosforth, died in June 2007 aged 89 and had not driven the 130mph car since 1960.

Dr Carr's eight heirs are today getting to grips with the pounds 380,000 share of the fortune they have all come into thanks to a telephone bid from a buyer, whose identity has not been revealed.

One nephew, from Gosforth, who does not wish to be named, said he had been "overwhelmed" by the experience.

He said: "I'm going to miss it in a way.

That's why I will never sell Uncle Harry's watch. I actually had it fixed and fitted with a new strap so I could bring it to Paris with me.

"But taking care of a car like that was actually quite a responsibility. I feel Harry would be proud that we've done the right thing, and the Bugatti has gone to an owner who will really appreciate it.

"Then, hopefully, it will all start to sink in over the next couple of days. I'm a realist anyway, so I'm sure that will happen.

"One of the first things I have to do is make sure all the heirs get their share.

That goes without saying.

"Then I want to pay off the mortgage on my house and make sure my wife never needs to work again.

"Then, of course, we will be giving some away. It's only right to do some good with the money.

"After that, it's just simple things, and back to work for me. Although I might treat myself to some car racing at some point."

Dr Carr's car was offered for sale with an extensive file of correspondence documenting its history.

It still has its original chassis, engine, drive train and body. The car even has what appears to be a remarkably low mileage with an odometer reading of just 26,284.

The doctor's car was originally owned by racing enthusiast Francis Curzon, the 5th Earl Howe, who was the first president of the British Racing Driver's Club.

He took delivery of the sporty two-seat Atalante after it was completed in 1937 and kept it for eight years.

After Earl Howe sold it, it changed hands a couple of times before Dr Carr bought the car in 1955 from Lord Ridley, a member of the Northumberland gentry.

It is highly coveted by collectors as only 17 were ever made and at least four of those are thought to belong to the Musee Nationale de L'Automobile in Mulhouse, France.

A spokeswoman for Bonhams said the car had been bought by a European collector.

She said: "He is a big collector of Bugatti cars.

"The car will stay in Europe and it will be kept in good condition."

"I feel Harry would be proud that the Bugatti has gone to an owner who will really appreciate it

CAPTION(S):

UNDER THE HAMMER Dr Carr's rare 1937 Bugatti Type 57S Atalante Coupe is wheeled in for the auction at the Retromobile Vintage Car show, in Paris.; DUSTY The Bugatti found in a Gosforth garage following Dr Carr's death.