In the realm of classic cars, there’s an enduring allure surrounding the rarest and most unique vehicles. While many people are captivated by the idea of immaculate showrooms and gleaming paintwork, sometimes the most compelling tales are those tinged with rust and mystery. One such story involves a 1925 Bugatti Type 22 Brescia Roadster, which lay submerged at the bottom of Lake Maggiore for 73 years before being brought back to the surface. This story intertwines elements of automotive history, human drama, and the lasting charm of rediscovered treasures.
A Vintage Bugatti’s Long Submersion
From approximately 1935 until 2009, this custom-built vintage Bugatti rested at the bottom of Lake Maggiore, a body of water situated on the border between Switzerland and Italy. Originally constructed in Brescia, Italy, the touring car was first registered in Nancy, France. A brass plate on the vehicle revealed a former owner: George Nielly of Paris, who likely owned it around 1930. This Bugatti was a technological wonder of its era, equipped with a four-cylinder, 1.5-liter engine capable of reaching nearly 100 miles per hour. The car changed hands several times, with local legend suggesting that the 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 heritage.
The Bugatti’s Plunge into Lake Maggiore
Schmuklerski, who had studied architecture at the prestigious École des Beaux-Arts in Paris, may have acquired the car during this period. He brought it back to Switzerland but failed to pay the necessary import duties. With the tax bill exceeding the car’s value, Swiss officials opted to dispose of the vehicle.
According to local folklore, Bodé tried to cross the border into Switzerland but was unable to pay the duties. He reportedly told officials they could do whatever they wanted with the car, as it held little value to him. As a result, the officials rolled the Bugatti into Lake Maggiore, where it eventually settled at the bottom.
Discovery and Recovery
The Bugatti remained hidden until 1967, when diver Ugo Pillon came across the wreck. For more than four decades, it became a popular site for divers. In 2009, a local dive club decided to recover the car in response to a tragic incident. A young local man named 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 intended to be sold to raise funds for this cause.
The recovery operation took nine months and involved the efforts of thirty volunteers. When the car was finally lifted from the water, remnants of its original blue paint were still visible, and its tires were astonishingly 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 approximately $370,000. Today, it is displayed at the Oxnard Museum in a private room, preserved more as a work of art than as a mere antique vehicle.
Bonhams described the car as one of the most celebrated Bugattis, having spent over 70 years underwater. The car’s retrieval was motivated by the tragic death of Damiano Tamagni, a member of the local sub-aqua club along with his father. The proceeds from the car’s sale were used to support the foundation dedicated to addressing juvenile violence.
A Symbol of Resilience and History
“This is a car that’s had many different lives,” says museum curator Andrew Reilly. “This twin-plug competition car, re-bodied to carry its current torpedo body, was reportedly owned by René Dreyfus, then lost in a card game in Paris. It was pushed into a lake, became part of local legend, and a tourist attraction.”
The Bugatti’s story is complex and layered. It speaks to the resilience of both the car and the people who were determined 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 far more than just a vintage car; it’s a testament to history, tragedy, and the enduring human spirit. Its journey from the bottom of Lake Maggiore to the exhibition halls of a California museum serves as a poignant reminder that even the most forgotten treasures can be revived, carrying with them stories that transcend both time and rust.
