Imagine discovering a classic Bugatti submerged underwater for over 70 years. That’s the story of the 1925 Bugatti Brescia Type 22, which was found at the bottom of Lake Maggiore in Switzerland. The question is, how did it get there?
There are two popular stories.
The Architect’s Tale:
One story claims that Swiss architect Marco Schmuklerski brought the Bugatti back from Paris in the 1930s without paying import taxes. To avoid fines, he supposedly tethered the car to a chain and submerged it in the lake. But the chain broke, and the Bugatti sank over 150 feet to the bottom. However, Schmuklerski’s daughter later denied her father ever owned the car.
The Poker Game Story:
Another version involves French race car driver René Dreyfus, who lost the Bugatti in a poker game to a wealthy Swiss man, Adalbert Bodé. When Bodé couldn’t pay the tax to bring it into Switzerland, customs officials allegedly dumped the car in the lake, tethering it to a chain. Unfortunately, the chain wasn’t strong enough, and the car sank deeper.
For decades, the Bugatti remained hidden until a dive club rediscovered it in the 1960s. But it wasn’t until 2009 that they recovered it to honor a club member’s son, who was tragically killed. The car was auctioned off in 2010, fetching $364,700—far more than the original estimate.
Where Is the Bugatti Now?
The Bugatti is now part of the Mullin Automotive Museum’s collection in California. Its rusty, timeworn frame tells a story of history, mystery, and fascination, captivating car enthusiasts worldwide.
This sunken treasure once thought lost forever, is now one of the most legendary Bugattis in history.
