Black Bess, famous Bugatti Type 18 goes under the hammer

By A Mystery Man Writer

January 30, 2009 ‘Black Bess’, the famous Bugatti Type 18 Sports two-seater will go under the auctioneers hammer next week. One of just three Type 18s in existence, the car was purchased new by pioneer French aviator Roland Garros and has been driven competitively on road and track by a string of distinguished owners for almost all of its 96 years. Black Bess, named after highwayman Dick Turpin’s legendary steed, will be just one of an array of very special automobiles at Bonhams’ auction at Retromobile in Paris on February 7, 2009. Expect to pay EUR1.3 to 1.5 million if you want a slice of this beauty.