William I'Anson Ltd are delighted to present for sale the exceptional Ex - Count Czaykowski, René Dreyfus, Aubrey Esson-Scott 1931 Bugatti Type 51 Grand Prix car which competed in the Monaco Grand Prix and at Brooklands Pre-War, to name just two places.

It is an absolute privilege to be able to offer for sale what we consider to be one of the best Type 51 Grand Prix Bugatti left in existence, 51126. Sold new to and raced by highly regarded Bugatti racer Count Stanislaus Czaykowski in April 1931, 51126 has remained in its current ownership since 1960.

The first Type 51 to be delivered to a private driver in the continent. Czaykowski drove 51126 to victory in the Grand Prix de Casablanca on the 17th of May 1931 before taking 2nd in both the Grand Prix de Dieppe and du Cumminges. on the 17th of September 1931 René Dreyfus drove the car to outright victory in the Grand Prix de Brignoles.

Success did not stop there with 1932 seeing a trip to the Monaco Grand Prix, as seen above (car No. 18) and numerous podium finishes. Upon the Counts passing in 1933, 51126 was sold to Englishman Aubrey Esson-Scott. He raced and hill climbed 51126 on into 1937 with numerous outings at Brooklands and Shelsley Walsh. In November 1937 it was purchased by Harry Soutar who rounded out 51126's pre-War racing career.

Purchased in February 1954 by D.F. Mallalieu, 51126 was back in action and winning races at Silverstone and Oulton Park from 1955 to 1958, when Mallalieu moved to the USA taking 51126 with him. Raced once by him in 1959, 51126 was purchased by the current owner in November 1960. He raced 51126 throughout the first half of the 1960s winning the Vintage race at Bridghampton in 1964. Retired from racing in 1965, 51126 has remained in his ownership to date.

In 2014 Crosthwaite & Gardiner completed a stunning and sympathetic restoration of 51126. What is so important about this car is that it has remained complete throughout its life. When it was sold on behalf of the Czaykowski family in 1934, 51126 was fitted with the lower crankcase, bonnet and rear axle from Czaykowski's Type 35C. The bonnet and back axle remained with the car throughout as did its original tail. During the restoration 51126 was reunited with its original lower crankcase and its original and uniquely modified scuttle.

Maintained by Crosthwaite & Gardiner since their 2014 restoration, 51126 has headed back to the track competition in numerous Goodwood Revivals, taking 3rd overall in the prestigious Williams Trophy and winning the 10th Bugatti Grand Prix at Lime Rock in the USA in 2018. 51126 is also the first ever Grand Prix Bugatti to have been shown at Villa d'Este, doing so in 2017. In 2020 it was awarded Best in Class of the Prewar Racing Car Class at the Amelia Island Concours. 51126 also took Best in Show at the 2019 Camden Foreign Car Show.

Accompanied by a 2017 FIVA logbook and 2014 FIA HTPs, this represents a truly exciting opportunity to become the first owner in 60 years of quite literally one of the finest examples of Bugattis legendary Type 51 you will ever have the opportunity to own.

For further information on the 1931 Bugatti Type 51 for sale at William I'Anson Ltd, please enquire.