In the world of classic cars, there’s always a fascination with the rarest and most unique vehicles. While many dream of pristine showrooms and gleaming paint jobs, sometimes the most intriguing stories are those with a touch of rust and mystery. One such tale is that of a 1925 Bugatti Type 22 Brescia Roadster, which lay submerged at the bottom of Lake Maggiore for 73 years before being recovered. This story blends elements of automotive history, human drama, and the enduring allure of forgotten treasures.
A Vintage Bugatti’s Journey to the Bottom
From around 1935 until 2009, this custom-built vintage Bugatti sat at the bottom of Lake Maggiore, located on the border of Switzerland and Italy. Originally built in Brescia, Italy, the touring car was first registered in Nancy, France. A brass plate on the car identified a former owner: George Nielly of Paris, who likely owned it in 1930.
This Bugatti was an engineering marvel of its time, with a four-cylinder, 1.5-liter engine capable of reaching nearly 100 miles per hour. It changed hands several times, with local stories suggesting that legendary Grand Prix driver René Dreyfus lost it in a poker game to Swiss playboy Adalbert Bodé in Paris in 1934. Another possible owner was Marco (Max) Schmuklerski, a Zurich-born architect of Polish descent.
The Car’s Descent into the Lake
Schmuklerski, who had studied architecture at the prestigious École des Beaux-Arts in Paris, possibly acquired the car during this period. He brought it back to Switzerland but failed to pay the import duties. Faced with a tax bill higher than the car’s value, Swiss officials decided to dispose of the vehicle.
According to local lore, Bodé attempted to cross the border into Switzerland but couldn’t pay the duties. He told officials they could do as they pleased with the car, considering it had little value. Consequently, the officials rolled the Bugatti into Lake Maggiore, where it sank to the bottom.
Rediscovery and Recovery
The Bugatti remained hidden until 1967, when diver Ugo Pillon discovered the wreck. For over forty years, it became a popular dive spot. In 2009, a local dive club decided to recover the car in response to a tragic event. A young local man, Damiano Tamagni, was killed in a random act of violence. To honor his memory, the club helped establish a nonprofit foundation named after Tamagni to combat youth violence. The Bugatti was to be sold to raise funds for this cause.
The recovery effort took nine months and involved thirty volunteers. When the car was finally brought to the surface, it still bore patches of its original blue paint, and its tires were remarkably still inflated.
Auction and Legacy
The Bugatti was prepared for auction by Bonhams at the Retromobile in Paris. In January 2010, Peter Mullin of the Mullin Automotive Museum in Oxnard, California, purchased the car for around $370,000. Today, it is displayed at the Oxnard Museum in a private room, preserved more as a piece of art than a mere antique vehicle.
Bonhams described the car as one of the most celebrated Bugattis, having been submerged for over 70 years. The car’s retrieval was driven by the tragic death of Damiano Tamagni, a member of the local sub-aqua club along with his father. The funds from the car’s sale were used to support the foundation addressing juvenile violence.
A Testament to Resilience and History
“This is a car that’s had many different lives,” says museum curator Andrew Reilly. “Here’s a twin-plug competition car, re-bodied to carry its current torpedo body. It has been known to have belonged to René Dreyfus, then lost in a card game in Paris. It was pushed into the lake, became a part of local lore, and a tourist attraction.”
The Bugatti’s story is multifaceted. It speaks to the resilience of both the car and the people who decided to bring it back to the surface. Whether focusing on the tragic story of a young man’s death or the faded grandeur of pre-war automobiles, the Bugatti’s journey from the depths of Lake Maggiore to a museum exhibit is a powerful narrative of survival and remembrance.
Conclusion
The 1925 Bugatti Type 22 Brescia Roadster is more than just a vintage car; it’s a symbol of history, tragedy, and the enduring human spirit. Its journey from the bottom of Lake Maggiore to the halls of a museum in California serves as a reminder that even the most forgotten treasures can be revived, carrying with them stories that transcend time and rust.
