Rare Bugatti found locked in garage

NEWCASTLE, England, Jan. 2 (UPI) -- A 1937 Bugatti that an eccentric English doctor kept locked in a garage for half a century could bring his heirs millions of dollars.

Dr. Harold Carr owned a number of classic cars, including a Jaguar and an Aston Martin, The Times of London reported. But the Bugatti Type 57S Atalante, one of only 17 known to exist, is the pick of the collection.

Carr bought the Bugatti, which won the 1937 Le Mans 24-hour race, in 1955.

Carr, who lived near Newcastle, had no children and the cars now belong to his nieces and nephews. They knew he collected cars -- and many other things -- but had no idea of their value.

Other people did know about the Bugatti, said a nephew who did not want his name used.

"We just can't believe it," he said. "It's amazing, really. It's worth so much because he hasn't used it for 50 years. People must have known because he got letters from all over the country. He got notes pushed through his door. People traveled to try and convince him to sell the car."