A 1936 Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic was recently sold to the Mullin Automotive Museum in Oxnard, California, for between $30 and $40 million, making it, unofficially, the world’s most expensive car. The car—one of three ever built—was sold by the estate of the Bugatti's former owner, Dr. Paul Williamson. For comparison, the most expensive car ever sold at an auction was the 1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa, which went for $12.9 million.

Dr. Williamson was known to have a vast collection of Bugatti cars; many of which were sold at an auction in 2008. One noteworthy detail about the Type 57SC Atlantic is how it employs Electron, an alloy of magnesium and aluminum, for its body panels. Because these panels could not be welded, Bugatti had to use the distinctive riveted seam that is now viewed as a design element. The only other Type 57SC Atlantic to have survived is currently owned by Ralph Lauren.

[ via Wall Street Journal]

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