Sunken Bugatti sells for £226,000 at auction

A rare Bugatti which was found at the bottom of a Swiss lake has been sold at auction for £226,000.

The 1925 touring Bugatti was pushed into Lake Maggiore by an over zealous tax official in 1936 after the owner abandoned it having failed to pay the import tax.

Since then the Type 22 sat corroding 160ft below the surface of the water, only being visited by members of a local diving club, until it was recently recovered.

Yesterday it sold for €260,500 at a Paris auction with the winning bidder saying he will keep it in its present state rather than restoring it -- while he is at it he should keep it in a large glass tank.