Nephews and nieces were left what they thought was an old garage, but the treasure it held could change their lives



The 1937 Bugatti Type 57S Atalante in Harold Carr's Tyneside garage

When Harold Carr's nephews and nieces inherited a dusty old lock-up garage from their eccentric uncle their expectations were low.

But when they opened the doors of the car collector's Tyneside garage they discovered what may prove to be a life-changing inheritance. Among a trove of classic cars was a 1937 Bugatti - one of only seventeen in the world - that could fetch millions at auction.

The Bugatti Type 57S Atalante, which had spent decades parked alongside other classics, including a Jaguar E-type and an Aston Martin, will be the highlight of Bonhams' Retro- mobile show in Paris next month.

If bidding reaches upper estimates, it is in the running to become the most expensive car sold at auction, rivalling the 1931 Bugatti Royale Kellner Coupe sold for $8.7 million (£6 million) in 1987. Not bad for a car whose last tax disc expired in December 1960.

Timesonline.co.uk