A rare 1930s Bugatti car is being restored in Hartley Wintney ahead of being auctioned off for a potentially record-breaking amount of cash.

The 1937 Bugatti Type 57S, originally owned by Earl Howe Francis Curzon, is expected to fetch as much as £2.5million.
 
The car — which was kept in secret in a garage in Newcastle for what is estimated to be nearly 50 years — will be sold by auctioneers Bonhams at Retromobile in Paris.

The existence of the car — one of only 17 ever made — has only been known to a handful of people during the last 50 years.

The auctioneers boast the rare car has its original chassis, engine, drivetrain and body. It even has what appears to be a remarkably low mileage with an odometer reading of just 26,284.

James Knight, International Head of Bonhams’ motoring department, said he could not reveal the exact location of the car for security reasons.

“It’s with a specialist restoration shop in Hartley Wintney who specialise in pre-war cars,” he said.

The car’s whereabouts have been a closely guarded secret for several years. 

“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,” Mr Knight added.

Back in 1937, it was ordered new by the motor sport great — and the British Racing Driver’s Club President — Earl Howe via UK Bugatti agents, Sorel of London.

Howe had a long association with Ettore Bugatti and his machines, and developed a close friendship with Ettore and his son Jean, having raced their Grand Prix motor cars.

He took delivery of the car in June 1937 and kept it for more than eight years. He added a personal touch by fitting his own bumpers, rear-view mirrors on the A-pillars and a luggage rack, which it still retains to this day. The car escorted him to Brooklands and other race meetings. 

After passing through the hands of a couple of collectors, it was acquired by Dr Harold Carr, of Newcastle.
 
Dr Carr drove the car for the first few years but in the early 1960s it was parked in his garage where it remained for nearly 50 years, until his death in 2007.

The Bugatti is being sold on behalf of the family of Dr Carr.

Car historians state six racing or prototypes were built before production of the 57S began in earnest, but even throughout its three-year run, a mere 17 Atalantes were constructed.