One of just 790 Type 40s believed to have been built, chassis 40377 left Molsheim on 6 April 1927 and was placed on a freighter bound for South America.

Ordered by Count Luiz Eduardo Matarazzo of Sao Paolo, Brazil—Bugatti’s representative for the continent—it is likely that the car was fitted with a body completed by a South American coachbuilder.

The factory ledger notes that it was delivered new with engine number 280, and the matching-numbers crankcase remains fitted to this Type 40 today.

By 1971, 40377 was in Argentina and registered “816∙866” in Buenos Aires.

Discovered by John Lodwig with a sporty two-seater body, this Bugatti was sold to Øivind Selvig of Norway, who commenced a lengthy restoration that continued until 1983.

During this time, a new Grand Sport-style body was fitted.

Two years later, it was sold to Paal Myhre, who in turn traded it on to the consigning owner in 1993.

The car has since been maintained by marque specialist Ivan Dutton, benefitting from an en...