The economic downturn is hitting all of us, but obviously to varying degrees. Evidence of this showed up over the weekend at an auto auction in Paris, where a European collector paid the equivalent of 4.4 million dollars for a 1937 Bugatti Atalante, one of only 17 made. The unrestored piece of automotive art was discovered in a reclusive doctor's garage where it had sat untouched for over 50 years.

While 4.4 million dollars for a dusty car may seem outrageous, it’s actually only about half of its estimated value when it was first discovered.

I'll repeat that. 4.4 million dollars is only about half of the car's estimated value.

So much for the economic downturn at this auto auction.

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