The Bugatti Type 35 is unquestionably among the greatest racing cars of all time, and the Type 43 is effectively its roadgoing counterpart.

It is true that in creating the Type 43, which debuted in 1927, Bugatti needed to make some changes; the wheelbase is longer than that of the Type 35, for example.

Yet the fundamentals remained—including the supercharged 2.3-liter overhead-cam inline-eight engine.

Not coincidentally, the Type 43 was among the first production cars capable of speeds in excess of 100 mph, a remarkable feat at the time.

The Type 43 on offer, chassis 43233, was delivered in chassis form to Stand Auto Garage on the Champs-Élysées in Paris after being invoiced in September of 1928.

One month later, the Bugatti received standard Grand Sport coachwork and was registered to its first owner, Robert Senechal.

A Delage factory race driver and former manufacturer of cyclecars, Mr.

Senechal was exactly the type of esteemed character one would expect to purchase such a fin...