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Broad Arrow Zoute Concours Auction, October 10, 2025
Today I received the following message from the Bugatti Trust:
It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that we share the news that Hugh R. G. Conway passed away on Saturday October 18th, 2025 at the age of 85. He led The Bugatti Trust as Chairman for two decades from 2002 until 2023 and his vision, dedication, and outstanding commitment to championing the marque’s history through The Bugatti Trust’s work have left an exceptional legacy. Hugh was an active member of the Bugatti Owners’ Club and frequently competed at Prescott in his GP Bugatti. He also sat on the Council and the Bugatti Affairs Committee for a number of years and co-organized the International Bugatti Meeting in Scotland in 2013. For over 60 years Hugh was a familiar face at Prescott and at international Bugatti and historic motor sport events. Known by many he will be dearly missed.
We would like to invite you to join us in offering our deepest condolences to his family.
Allan Rippon,
Chairman, The Bugatti Trust
The most recent memory of Hugh Conway was in 2023, when the photo on the right was taken, together with Angela and myself. I then visited the Trust together with my girlfriend. Hugh had come to the Trust especially to meet with us, in this only 2nd visit to the Trust for me. We had some lively discussions on matters Bugatti, of course, what else.
I vaguely remember one of the first meetings with Hugh, which must have been about 25 years ago, probably at Retromobile or maybe at the Bugatti Festival. Hugh was, as his father Hugh Sr., one of the people who really made the Bugatti community feel more like a family than just a bunch of old car lovers..
Hugh will be much missed, my condolences to the family and to all the team at the Bugatti Trust, as well as the BOC.
Top photo was taken form an article in magzter.com, which in turn took it from Octane magazine
Aguttes AUTOWORLD | Auction & motion Brussels, October 11, 2025
RM Sotheby's Hershey Auction, October 8 - 9, 2025
Bring a Trailer Auction, October 3, 2025
Lanzante Will Create a Road Legal Bugatti Bolide
Bugatti will produce only 40 units of the Bolide, each designed exclusively for track use, but someone has been brave enough to call upon the UK company Lanzante to transform this beast into a road-legal weapon.
Lanzante is responsible for many road-legal conversions in including the latest Porsche 935 and even the highly sought-after Lamborghini Sesto Elemento.
Speaking with CarBuzz at the Goodwood Festival of Speed last month, CEO Dean Lanzante explained what’s next. Alongside showing interest in the upcoming Red Bull RB17, he confirmed the Bolide shares enough DNA with other Bugatti models to make a road conversion viable.
Turning a race-bred car into one that meets road regulations isn’t straightforward. Some machines simply can’t be converted, no matter the expertise. As Lanzante put it, track cars used to begin life as road cars modified for racing, but today many are purpose-built race machines with quirks like preheating requirements, bump-start systems, and batteries that drain after only a few attempts. When a car comes into their workshop, they evaluate whether it’s feasible, and sometimes the answer is no.
Even in cases where a conversion is possible, drivability becomes the challenge. Cars that are fragile or too extreme are not worth putting on the road. Still, Lanzante pointed out that regulations leave plenty of room to manoeuvre. You need to pass emissions and meet pedestrian safety standards, but there’s no law on ride height, suspension stiffness, or cabin heat. These are comforts, not legal requirements, which give them flexibility to create cars that remain usable in daily life.
That’s where the Bolide fits perfectly. Despite being one of the wildest creations ever built by Bugatti, it’s unusually well-suited for a Lanzante project. The W16 engine can pass emissions, the gearbox is intuitive, and the overall build quality is high.
Under the skin, the Bolide carries Bugatti’s 8.0-litre quad-turbocharged W16 engine from the Chiron, paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. The engine has larger turbo blades, pushing output to 1,578 hp (1,177 kW).
The future road-legal Bolide will most definitely need more appropriate tyres as they currently cost $8,000 each and last only about 60 km, which won’t quite cut it.
Alain Bouissou, master of 1:43 Bugatti miniatures, passed away on August 10, 2025, after a long illness.
What will probably best characterize his incredible talent is the photo of his Atlantic miniature in 1:43, taken at Retromobile 2014, and the comment which I wrote in the Bugatti Revue Retromobile article about this miniature:
Bouissou was active in miniature Bugatti building since 1980, becoming recognized for the high level of detail and accuracy soon. A Bugatti specialist, Bouissou was a benchmark in the industry for his ability to combine historical accuracy with artisanal flair. Bouissou's Bugattis were true marvels, light years away from what is considered a luxury item today. Many will have admired those openings carved from sheet metal or those miniature dashboards with a hammered finish.
He was furthermore a very modest man; I could not find a single photo of the man behind these splendid creations. Therefore, I honour him below with some more images of his work.
We wish his wife Bénédicte, children and family strength to cope with their loss.
Bonhams' the Quail Auction, August 15, 2025
Gooding & Company Pebble Beach Auction, August 15 - 16, 2025
RM Sotheby's Monterey Auction, August 16, 2025
Pebble Beach is traditionally the time where the highest bids are received on the classic Bugatti's. This year not so, only a few Bugatti's were actually sold, and mostly those without reserve.
So this is it! The new One-off by Bugatti, which is called Brouillard, after Ettore Bugatti's favourite horse. See the picture on the right, of Ettore riding the "real" Brouillard. The French word Brouillard means Fog by the way, thus continuing the weather-inspired names of the most recent Bugatti's, the Mistral and Tourbillon (the latter means "Whirlwind"). So now we have to clarify something, 3 days ago I wrote (from various sources) that the name would be Solitaire, but Solitaire is the name for the new Bugatti one-off programme, of which this Brouillard is the first.
The car indeed, as said 3 days ago, is powered by the last iteration of the VVR16 engine (sometimes called W16 erroneously), delivering an amazing 1600HP from it's quad turbo 8 liter 16 cylinder engine. When looking at Brouillard, the car, especially from the front, it is much like a Mistral fitted with a roof. And, a glass-roof at that, with a V-like shape. Of course, there are plenty of details which are different, mostly purely optical or minor aerodynamic changes.
On the inside however, there are horses everywhere on the green pasture. In the gear lever even, and there is limited use of specially made fabrics which refer to some of the cloths associated with horses and their riders.
Many wonder at what price such a one-off would cost, maybe we will never know for sure... However, the "la Voiture Noire" was €16.7 million, this one, "La Voiture Verte" may even be a bit more....
Below the news release by Bugatti themselves, 7-8-2025
The inaugural creation of Solitaire – an expansion beyond even the highly bespoke world of Bugatti Sur Mesure – is Brouillard, a breathtaking Coupé that pays homage to Ettore Bugatti's beloved horse. Named after the faithful companion who could open his own stable door through a special mechanism designed by Ettore himself, this car celebrates the founder’s great love of horses, and his favorite horse of all. A majestic thoroughbred with a coat as white as the first snowfall, speckled with the subtle shades of a summer morning mist, Brouillard was no ordinary horse; he was the embodiment of everything Ettore admired: speed, beauty, and unparalleled grace.
Hendrik Malinowski,
Managing Director of Bugatti
For the modern-day incarnation of this approach, Brouillard is built upon the pinnacle of Bugatti's W16-powered platform featuring the 1,600 PS iteration of the legendary quad-turbocharged engine. It represents the highest evolution of the W16 program, incorporating nearly two decades of engineering excellence and refinement.
"The bond between Ettore and Brouillard was deeply special. He saw in Brouillard a mirror of his own creations; the curves of the horse's body, the muscular flanks, the perfect proportions – these were all elements he tried to capture in the steel and aluminum of his cars. So here, the aesthetics of this car abstain from sharp lines in favor of more reflection-based surfaces that mimic a kind of athletic muscle, like a trained horse. It's heavily focused on sculptural surfaces and organic shapes, as the vision of a tendon underneath the skin. Enormous power and complexity, hidden by a veil of dignified simplicity."
Frank Heyl,
Bugatti Design Director
“To make something look simple is actually incredibly complex. The design has to integrate all of the technological aspects needed, all of the thermodynamics and aerodynamics of a 1,600hp hyper sports car, while also following a core ethos – established both by us and the client – that the Brouillard was imbued with dignity.
Interior craftsmanship reaches new heights with the Brouillard, featuring an extraordinary combination of materials that celebrate both tradition and innovation. Custom-woven fabrics sourced from Paris incorporate tartan patterns, while green-tinted carbon fiber is paired with an increased number of machined aluminum components. The glass roof creates an airy, cathedral-like experience, while the center spine flows seamlessly from exterior to interior, visible through the transparent panel above.
An absolute dedication to the finest artisan craftsmanship is evident in the Brouillard’s details, including embroidered horse motifs in the door panels and seat back rests. The seats themselves are customized and shaped to the owner’s preference, finished with a unique leather patch layout. The gear shifter is machined from a single block of aluminum and features a glass insert containing a miniature hand-crafted sculpture of Ettore’s favored horse and this car’s namesake. In every respect the Brouillard is a work of automotive haute couture, imbued with the limitless creativity of the entire Bugatti design, engineering and materials craftspeople.
The Bugatti Brouillard will be officially unveiled during Monterey Car Week as the first project of the new Programme Solitaire. Each year, Solitaire will create a maximum of only two masterpieces, ensuring that each receives the complete attention and craftsmanship that it demands. Solitaire commissions will use existing Bugatti powertrains and chassis – just as Brouillard uses the 1,600hp W16 and latest corresponding carbon fiber and aluminum chassis – while focusing on bespoke bodywork and interior details.
Anders Ditlev Clausager passed away on July 27, 2025, after a long fight against cancer, with which he was diagnosed in July 2023. He remained active until the last, and amongst others completed an article on the first known car produced in Denmark, the Hammel, which appeared in the June 2025 issue of The Automobile.
From the Bugattistes, not many will know Anders, who was an important factor in the classic car world, not just through his knowledge in the field of especially English automotive history and the books he wrote on that subject. I came to know him through the European Conference for Automotive History, which he organised together with Thomas Ulrich from Germany. I attended at the first event, which was held at the Schlumpf museum in Mulhouse, France in May 2017. Two years later the event came closer, to the Louwman museum in the Hague, the Netherlands, in March 2019. I missed the one which was held in Turin, Italy (2022), but I was present at the last one, now in cooperation with FIVA, held at Autostadt in Wolfsburg in October 2024. At that conference co-organizer Thomas Ulrich was much missed, as he was having serious health problems at the moment.
During the conference I talked with Anders, always a friendly and amiable man, on various occasions, and he told me about the health problems which he himself was having. At that time I did not expect that he would pass away so soon. He will be much missed, and we wish his family and close friends strength with this loss.
A prolific author, Anders wrote over 20 books, mostly on British automotive history, including Wolseley: A Very British Car, which won multiple prestigious awards. He also edited numerous automotive titles and contributed to leading journals and magazines. His scholarly articles ranged from early estate cars to coachbuilding, and he regularly presented at international conferences and forums. A central figure in the historic vehicle community, Anders co-founded the European Conference for Automotive History and served on numerous advisory panels, including for the National Motor Museum and the Society of Automotive Historians.
His volunteer work included cataloguing early Wolseley and Austin-Healey records and supporting motoring clubs across Europe. Deeply committed to preserving automotive heritage, Anders left an indelible legacy both through his meticulous archival work and his warm, collegial presence in the motoring world.
In the 1920's and 30's one-off coachbuilt models were something that every (wealthy) customer could buy, some even by their own design. Many of these were, and not just in the case of Bugatti, by specialized coachbuilding companies. In the late 1920's, Bugatti started coachbuilding in-house, where many artistic designs by Jean Bugatti were made, some of them in just one example, like the Coupé Napoleon and Esders Roadster on the extravagant Type 41 "Royale" chassis.
On August 7th Bugatti will unveil the latest chapter in a long lineage of bespoke masterpieces, revealing both a new ultra-exclusive program of one-of-one cars, as well as its first example.
It will be a celebration of grace and elegance, rooted in the unique artistry and heritage of the Bugatti story, the "Solitaire". A teaser of this car is at the top of this article.
The Dutch magazine Autoblog reveals that this latest Bugatti will join the stables of Dutchman Michel Perridon, who already owns a series of the modern Bugattis:
What will be the basis of the Solitaire, the colour of which has been descibed as "greenish", has not been released yet, but it is most logical that it will be based on the Chiron or the Mistral chassis. Especially based on the Chiron there have been loads of specials, like the (also one-off) Voiture Noire, the Divo and the Cientodieci. Thus, the Solitaire will be equipped with the 8-litre quad-turbo VVR16 engine.
RM Sotheby's Cliveden House Auction, UK, July 8, 2025
I heard some rumours that Bugatti would gradually slow down it's activity in the Molsheim headquarters, moving some of it's activity to the RIMAC site in Sveta Nedelja, Croatia. However, this recent news surely belies this:
The next chapter of a storied site: introducing Bugatti’s new world-class atelier
The Château Saint Jean in Molsheim has represented the home of Bugatti since the 1920s. Purchased by the marque's founder, Ettore Bugatti, in 1928, it has hosted honored guests, customers and racing drivers from around the world (Well, not really, those were usually hosted at the hostellerie du Pur Sang, ed.). Yet the site, and all that has been built upon it, has remained elegantly natural in character – qualities that have been borne proudly by each car that has left the doors of the brand’s Atelier.
Remaining true to the natural charm of its surrounding environment, the new Bugatti Atelier is a structure that takes a contemporary twist on the elegance that first drew Ettore to the site. Walking towards the meadowland at the forefront of the Château site, the low and expansive design appears to gradually rise from it, with the design going above and beyond mandated requirements for integration into the surrounding environment. Its foremost sloping side brings the wild grass with it, going on to cover 30% of the structure’s roof.
The building is defined by an elegant contrast between discretely dark walls and bright glass. A marvel of modern architecture 132 meters long and 25 meters wide, it belies its own scale with the intelligent approach to design synonymous with Bugatti vehicles. Expansive windows come together to form a wall of glass 5 meters high on the building’s eastern flank – opening the large space up to the morning light, and bringing the vista of the outside wilderness to Bugatti's craftspeople as they work. Wide skylights punctuate the ceiling throughout the production space, bringing the glow of daylight into the bright hall through the course of the day.
As the Bugatti brand continues its journey into a new era, so the existing Atelier building takes on its own evolution. The structure, designed in the shape of Bugatti's iconic Macaron, will become a space for introducing guests to the world of the French luxury marque, where elegance meets craftsmanship. The building will allow them to experience the brand's famous hospitality, while taking the opportunity to see the interior cabins of select vehicles being created – a unique chance to immerse themselves in the inimitable attention to detail that defines the marque.
Frederic Daul,
Director of Operations at Bugatti
You may have already noted, the photographs which look real, are in fact not, they're mere computer images.
Bonhams' the Bonmont Sale, Chéserex, Switzerland, June 29, 2025
Garden Party In Saint-Tropez - Artcurial auction, June 28, 2025
Recently, I was browsing a bit on Aliexpress, the cheap Chinese online store, where one can buy everything from underwear to complete pre-fabricated houses. Much to my surprise, there was a miniature of the Chateau St. Jean in "Lego".
For 370 euro you can buy this "kit" containing 4621 pieces, when built it will have dimensions of
L:25 cm, W:40 cm, H:40 cm. I'm not sure exactly what scale that would be, I guess around 1:50, so it would make a good background for your 1:43 miniatures.
Info and ordering at Aliexpress
Have fun building!
Bring A Trailer on-line Auction, USA, May 28, 2025
Many of the last posts on work by Rembrandt Bugatti which I presented here in this news section, were on rather unknown sketches, drawings or even paintings. The sculptures are of course what he is best known for, and quite rightfully so!
Shortly, there will be two very impressive sculptures on offer, with the well-known subjects of deer respectively large cats. They will be in the following auctions:
Artcurial auction, June 5, 2025
Donington Auction, the Bob King collection, Australia, March 4, 2025
For all other results, have a look at the Donington website: Donington Auctions website
welcome to the Bugatti Design Studio in Berlin
Berlin is a city that, for decades, has presented itself as a vibrant epicenter of individualism, cultural expression, and innovation. A philosophy that has remained rich to the present day, welcoming skilled artisans and entrepreneurs brimming with novel ideas and hopes for an exciting future from around the world. As Bugatti advances further into its new era, so it finds its new home for crafting the next generation of automotive design, in the heart of the German capital.
A fitting reflection of the German metropolis, the world-class Bugatti design team is formed of designers from 22 different countries around the globe. Vehicle exterior; color and trim; 3D modeling – in Berlin, a host of specialists and disciplines converge in a pool of talent overflowing with new ideas and unique concepts, taking Bugatti’s unparalleled design language to new heights. And to continue attracting such exceptional international talent, the new design headquarters for Bugatti needed to exude equally as much charisma.
The new Bugatti Design Studio was thus crafted as a space not just to generate ideas for the future of automotive excellence, but to celebrate the spirit of heritage that has inspired them. It is a creative workspace that represents a natural home for Bugatti – a 1,100 square-meter studio housed within a starkly beautiful industrial building that has stood proudly throughout the test of time.
The studio itself is enveloped in this rich repository of history – from the original ceramic tiling covering the walls and floors, to the carefully engineered, century-old cast iron staircases leading to the walkway and open gallery in the upper reaches of its incredibly spacious main hall.
And yet, seamlessly integrated into the aesthetic of the space is a cutting-edge suite of technologies – equipping Bugatti’s industry-leading experts with the tools they need to realize new concepts, ushering thrilling change into the world of automotive design.
Replacing the art of traditional vehicle clay-modelling with an equally intricate modern-day medium, Bugatti’s designers can transform the open industrial space into an immersive virtual design studio, with the CAD concept of any given vehicle at the center. With head trackers positioned strategically and discreetly throughout an open section of the studio, the designers utilize virtual-reality technology to realize a millimeter-perfect rendering of a vehicle design in the digital space – able to inspect, revise and optimize every facet of the concept with remarkable precision and efficiency.
It is an experience that esteemed Bugatti customers cannot help but immerse themselves in, when invited by the marque’s specialists to embark on their design journey at the new studio. The most personally meaningful of monikers; the subtlest of visual cues; the most curious and exotic of materials – each and every design path for the most intricate of Bugatti commissions is laid before its future owner, themselves taking inspiration from the discerning eye of the designers they’re guided by. All before witnessing their prized automotive jewel come to life, with full-scale vehicle models adorned with the design demonstrating how their unique dream will be realized, step by lovingly curated step.
“To be a Bugatti, each model needs to be infused with the spirit of its incomparable heritage, unprecedented engineering, technological capabilities, and captivatingly beautiful design. A vehicle so complex, precious and unique, can only be curated by a group of people with equally individual skill sets, in an environment crafted to nurture that skill. That is what the new Bugatti Design Studio, located in the heart of this thriving metropolis of Berlin, represents.
Here, as we begin a new chapter for Bugatti with the Tourbillon hyper sports car, we enter a new thrilling era for Bugatti design – one defined by the unparalleled history, engineering and luxury that has been, and will continue to be, the spirit-force for Bugatti.”
Frank Heyl,
Director of Design at Bugatti
The Collection of Dr. Bob King to be auctioned - Featuring Australian & European Motorsport
The French marque Bugatti has inspired a number of legendary figures in the classic car world over the years and one man in Australia has become synonymous with the cars from Molsheim. A retired medical practitioner, Bob King has spent a lifetime collecting, restoring, racing and researching these extraordinary machines, starting with his first Brescia bought more than 60 years ago. Authoring four definitive books on the subject, Bob has painstakingly documented each and every Bugatti to reach Australian shores, deservedly earning the epitaph ‘expert’ along the way.
Bob’s interest extends well beyond Bugatti, delving into countless other marques (owning examples of AC, Alfa Romeo, Avions Voisin, Bentley, Delahaye, Ferrari, Hispano Suiza, Lagonda, Minerva, Peugeot, Talbot and Vauxhall), Australian motor sport, aviation and so much more.
Gathered over a lifetime, Donington Auctions are privileged to have been entrusted with the sale of Bob’s extensive Bugatti collection of memorabilia, literature and more (including a charming 1914 Bébé Peugeot) as, at the ripe old age of 87, he downsizes and moves on to a new chapter in life.
View the catalog, First Lot Begins Closing May 4,2025 10:00 AM AEST.
MODEL HISTORY:
The Bébé enjoyed some racing success among small car classes, notably at Mont Ventoux in 1913, where it won in its class.
By then some work had been done getting it back on its wheels, however the original body had been stolen, and subsequently the Bébé’s remains went to New Zealand, where its penultimate owner had located a sound, original body out of Aberdeenshire, in Scotland.
Showcasing a modern design that embodies the rich and successful partnership between Bugatti and Pon Luxury & Performance Cars, Bugatti Rotterdam provides an extraordinary home for the brand in the Netherlands.
The manifestation of that success was symbolized by the first Bugatti showroom in the Netherlands, opened in 2016 in partnership with Pon Luxury & Performance Cars. Housed within the historic 'Het Koopmanshuis' – a stone’s throw away from where Pon’s Automotive Operations started more than a century ago – Bugatti’s Leusden home served for years to deliver the success worthy of the marque’s storied name.
Marking the arrival of the new space, came a private Grand Opening event. Hosting Bugatti’s esteemed guests in an evening of festivities, Bugatti’s senior leadership team led by Mate Rimac, CEO of Bugatti Rimac, and Hendrik Malinowski, Bugatti Managing Director, created a warm atmosphere of nostalgia and anticipation for a thrilling future in equal measure.
Enjoying the conviviality of the event with a glass of Carbon Champagne in-hand, guests could admire the beautiful vehicles on display, including the stunning Baby Bugatti II. At the center of the celebration, the iconic vehicles that, through Bugatti’s illustrious history, have curated an unparalleled legend. From the iconic Type 45, distinguished by its unique U16 engine, to the extraordinary EB110, the striking Veyron Grand Sport Venet, history-making Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse World Record Edition Car and Chiron Super Sport 300+², and the Tourbillon, the host of Bugatti cars served as a poignant reminder of the excellence that continues to power the brand into the future.
Right: The Tourbillon being unloaded at Kinderdijk, for the photoshoot.
Five of the Bugatti's present at the opening were from the Perridon collection, which is housed in the Netherlands, also in Rotterdam. Coincidence? Perridon has been the best Bugatti customer from the Netherlands, buying not just a load of modern Bugatti's (alongside the classic ones), but also a complete chassis and engine.
Of course, two days after March 30 comes April 1....
However, the images are real, and were send to me by Rick Nicolaas from New Zealand.
The guy is actually taking the packages out of the rear axle of the truck, not putting them in. This was at the Mexican - US border, and the packages with some not further specified type of drugs, are actually marked with the Bugatti oval.
Why? If anybody knows, please tell me!
The trip will start in two days from today, hopefully this way these expensive electronic motormanagement parts will arrive at the client's, without additional tariffs or taxes having to be paid.
Based on historical images, between November 2024 and January 2025 he modeled and submitted
the resulting impression to a bronze foundry for an initial bronze casting.
He chose the form of a mask because it transforms the portrait into an object at first glance and avoids
a rather ghostly encounter with a sculpted, life-size head.
This decision also supports the technique of bronze casting, as the casting process is legible from
both the front and back.
This edition is limited to 10 copies in bronze as shown in the pictures. The sculpture is attached to a stone pedestal and has the
size over all of about 44 cm high, 23 cm wide and 22 cm deep.
The price of 3800 Euro includes VAT and free shipping within europe.
Gooding & Co Auction Amelia Island, FL, USA, March 6-7, 2025
In recent years more and more two-dimensional work of him has surfaced. Many drawings in different styles, and also some paintings.
One, for me unknown, is this "L'homme et le cygne", in pencil on paper. An impressive study of a man with a swan.
Dimensions are:
42 x 32 cm
Provenance :
Vente important ensemble de dessins par Carlo et Rembrandt Bugatti; Maîtres Herve Chayette Laurence Calmels, 16 Octobre 1988, Lot 192, reproduit p. 31
The "Millon" auction where this will be sold is on March 25, follow this link for on-line bidding.
Abell Auction, USA, the Mullin Automotive Collection, March 4, 2025
Where the classic Bugatti's seem to be gradually declining in value, the Bugattiana is in the up! Although, the Peter Mullin provenance will help, and the estimates for some of the items was ridiculously low. Like the workbench with two vises with an estimate of $1,500-$2,500, just one vise will sell for around 10,000!
From my friend Daniel Schuler from Switzerland I get the message that the above Type 40A (chassis 40748),
is being offered on the Car & Classic website, the seller apparently being Conroy Classics, 15010 SE Morning Way Clackamas, OR 97015. Conroy Classics does not own the car, nor have they permission from the seller to sell it on his behalf.
The real owner of this car is Jeff Becker, who sends the following message:
I am the rightful owner of this car having purchased it at auction from Ria Van Dalen Wetters in 2016. I am in possession of the car and its legal title.
I presume the extensive photos which Conroy Classics shows were taken when the car was listed on Bring A Trailer last year, where it did not reach the reserve."
Thus: please be careful and do not consider any deals with Conroy Classics on this automobile.
Abell Auction, USA, the Mullin Automotive Collection, March 4, 2025
However, there was still a lot left, amongst which car parts (also Bugatti), some Carlo Bugatti furniture, work bench with vises and a tire rack (which I saw at Retromobile before Mullin bought it), paintings, miniatures, concours prizes and various other interesting items.
It is possible to bid on the items through Liveauctioneers, a well-known International auction website. See:
www.liveauctioneers.com/catalog/362783_the-mullin-automotive-collection/
Below are listed some of the remarkable items from the auction, there are (many) more, for this, click the link above.
RM Sotheby's Auction Miami, Florida, USA, February 27-28, 2025
Bugatti proudly shares that the first W16 Mistral automobiles are now being delivered. The last model with that famous VVR16 engine, so it is said. But that is not true. Dutch automotive magazine Autovisie can report that another Bugatti with that VVR16 (often called W16) engine is in the making.
A well-informed source has informed Autovisie of this.
That is not all. We also know that one exclusive Bugatti VVR16 Mistral is going to a Dutch customer. And no, it is not brand enthusiast Michel Perridon. Whoever does buy this Mistral has something special in their hands. Only 100 were produced. One remains in the hands of Bugatti and 99 will go to customers. The first two models, a white and a black one, are now finding their way to their American owners.
As mentioned the Mistral will not be the last VVR16 powered Bugatti: Before the V16 engined and hybrid Tourbillon will be delivered, a one-off Bugatti that will be equipped with the 8-liter VVR16 engine will be designed, developed and delivered to an unknown customer. This will apparently become the most expensive new car in the world. At the moment, that title is still held by the Rolls-Royce Arcadia Droptail, of which only four copies were built. According to Bloomberg, it had a price tag of 31.8 million $US (about 30.4 million euro).
Bring A Trailer Auction, USA, February 19, 2025
Tom Andrews of the Classics Museum, New Zealand, presented these two completed projects at the recent Art Deco Festival in Napier
Ivan Dutton who was present at the presentation thought that the Atlantic was a well made and accurately detailed recreation of "La Voiture Noire".
On the Thursday, February 13, both the Atlantic as well as the T57 Ventoux, the ex-Baillon 57579/417 were publicly presented.
Below: More shots of the Ventoux, chassis no. 57579. I shot pictures of that car at Retromobile in 2015.
Tom Andrews about the Atlantic Recreation project:
Purchasing the Type 57 Ventoux from the Roger Baillon Collection in Paris in 2015 was a big moment in my life. I absolutely loved the car and all of its rich, fascinating history.
After I laid eyes on the Ventoux back here in New Zealand, however, I was inspired to add another Bugatti to the collection at the Classics Museum – Jean Bugatti’s 1936 Type 57S Atlantic Coupe that went missing in 1939. No one had ever built this specific car before, so I began to formulate a plan as to how this could be achieved. My initial focus was to assemble a talented, motivated, and close-knit team around me that could pull this build off.
As we reveal the Atlantic today, I would like to acknowledge those who dedicated most of the past decade to create a faithful recreation of “La Voiture Noire”, No. 57453. This was a challenge in itself; however, the team also worked simultaneously on the full, beautiful restoration of the Type 57 Ventoux,
When I was introduced to Simon Tippins, I knew that he was an exceptionally talented fabricator. As I got to know Simon and started to see the aluminium fabrication on the Atlantic Coupe as well as other projects he was involved in, I quickly realised that we had one of the best in the industry on our team. Simon’s talents and abilities know no bounds.
Gordon White joined the Classics team with a diverse set of skills. He began his career in boatbuilding, so his carpentry work on these projects has been to absolute perfection. Gordon is a mechanical engineer, and some of the pieces he has created for these cars have been simply awe-inspiring.
Finally, and most importantly, I wish to acknowledge Greg McDell.
During the fifty-five years I have been in business, getting Greg onboard as project manager is one of the best decisions I have ever made.
When Greg started with the Museum, he immediately immersed himself in all things Bugatti. His research abilities were astonishing as he pieced together all the information and discovered small details that weren’t publicly known. Liaising with the Bugatti Trust in the UK as well as other craftsmen around the world, Greg has been the primary communicator throughout the two projects.
Complementing his research skills, Greg is a very talented fabricator and mechanical engineer. I do believe we would not be showcasing a car of such perfection, quality and beauty here today if Greg had not managed the projects.
Full credit goes to Greg McDell for the recreation of Jean Bugatti’s ‘La Voiture Noire’, No. 57453.
Below: short info on both cars
RM Sotheby's Paris Auction, France, February 4-5, 2025
Bonham's The Grand Palais Auction, Paris, France, February 6, 2025
Artcurial Retromobile Auction, Paris, France, February 7 - 8, 2025
Cars were all sold, no price results yet
Osenat Arts & Cars: 100% Automobilia Auction, Paris, France, February 7, 2025
Only a few results of Bugatti Automobilia items are shown
As you can see from the listings above, the Bugatti automobiles were mostly sold below their lower estimates, or were not sold at all.
On the other hand, the Bugatti Automobilia fetched record prices, up to 40 times their high estimate!
RM Sotheby's Arizona Auction, Phoenix, Arizona, USA, January 24, 2024
The surprise can be found at the booth of Julien Dubrulle, Hall 1 - A049.
I do not have further info.... Yet.
At the Osenat auction, an auction of Automobilia, there are various Bugatti items (see also the banner advert above).
However, what I did not know were some special informations on the Bugatti vise especially, but also on the legs.
The descriptions in the auction catalog state the folowing:
BUGATTI workshop vise
The vise presented here is therefore a version of the first series made by Ettore, who will have seen Bugatti automobile parts between his jaws. It bears the number 34, which can be found on almost all components.
Some models also had the number behind the bronze piece where the crank rests, as is the case here. A second number, 046, was added after the war. In its long career, the vise has only had one of its jaws replaced by number 18. It is functional and has kept its original black paint. It has remained in the family to this day.
Two BUGATTI cast-iron workbench legs
There are many stories about Bugatti vises, workbench legs and workbenches. We won't go into detail here, but will explain a few points. To do so, we'll use an archive photo of the post-war factory. We can see that there are 2 versions of the legs, one with the Bugatti logos in the same direction, the other with the logos reversed. They even exist with the two logos on the same leg in different direction! The factory photo (below, zoom in on the legs) confirms the existence of these two models, but cannot tell us why they were created.
Brussels AutoSalon 2025
The prodigy at the head of Bugatti Rimac has a harder time selling his electric hypercars than his Bugattis, but his technology is hidden under the hood of a series of BMWs, Porsches or Hyundais.
"Often, visitors rush to us to have access to the cars. Then, they are already in Hall 11 where they can look at the more accessible cars from D'Ieteren." This little phrase whispered at the Motor Show illustrates the power that prestige brands have in the automotive sector.
"All our Bugattis are sold until 2029," Mate Rimac, the child prodigy of the European automobile industry, tells us. The boss of Bugatti Rimac receives us in a small group on his stand on which the cars of all superlatives are presented.
"Here you have this Bugatti Bolide, the car with the most powerful thermal engine in the world, and the Rimac Nevera R, the fastest electric car in the world," smiles the Croatian.
Rimac made a name for himself in his younger years by combining his two passions, electronics and cars, to create an electric racing car. From this fame, he created a technology company that sells his findings to other manufacturers "to survive" and be able to produce racing cars.
Today, the man admits that his electric Neveras sell less quickly than the Bugattis. But he insists, his Nevera R is "a car that beats all the others in performance".
Residual values
What will an electric hypercar be worth in 10 years? What about its batteries in 15 years? This type of question slows down the purchase of this new type of vehicle.
"There is clearly a business to be developed to keep these cars on the road in the future. We can already see it with the first Tesla Roadsters that are repaired by small specialist companies", explains Mate Rimac who indicates that his teams are working hard on this type of concern.
Brand heritage
At the show, Mate Rimac stops to answer a few fans who also take a few selfies. Those who don't know him may have parts of Rimac Technology, his other company, in their car, particularly in battery systems and electric powertrains.
"Our biggest customer is BMW. We also have Porsche or Hyundai," Mate Rimac reminds us. "Some cars at the show have my technology, but I can't contractually tell you which ones," he says.
Rimac divides his time 50-50 between his position as CEO of Bugatti Rimac and that of CEO of Rimac Technology. He did the latter business out of necessity in the past and out of an interest in technology, he explains. "But my real passion is making cars," he says.
Bugatti Rimac finances itself and is coming out of two years of losses. Mate Rimac promises profitability in 2025.
Among his various businesses, Mate Rimac has also launched Verne, which intends to compete with the big players in the robot taxi field. His ambition? To offer autonomous taxi rides from 2026 in Zagreb before tackling other European cities.
"On the timetable, one thing is already certain: I will not respect it," jokes Rimac. "We think it is technically possible. The regulators are helping us in Europe and particularly in Croatia," he says more seriously.
Currently, he is working with Mobileye technology, but he explains that he will take the technology of whoever is the best. "Once the technology is safe, it is no longer on autonomous driving that we will be able to differentiate ourselves," he explains.
In fact, it is on the quality of the service that Mate Rimac intends to differentiate itself by ensuring, for example, that the car is always clean and the service is qualitative and the vehicle designed for this type of service.
300 people already work for Verne in Zagreb. When it comes to autonomous driving technology, Mate Rimac explains that he doesn't like the in-between. "Either you drive or the car drives itself, but I don't like all these things like lane assist," he insists.
Top Image: The Bugatti Bolide “Type 35 Homage” at the Autosalon Brussel 2025
November 1, 2025 RM / Sotheby's London Auction London, England
Andre Paul Sirejols owned the car next, with it registered in his name by September 1938. It is possible, however, that Monsieur Sirejols had the car before this; he was involved in a road accident with chassis 44784 the year before. A document provides his statement: ‘On 19 December 1937, at 3pm, I was driving my Bugatti closed car chassis 44784, 17 HP, plate “3318 RK 5”, with a racing BNC behind which had mechanical trouble. The BNC being towed hurt a car coming the other way, which went into the front left wing of the Bugatti whose front axle was also damaged.’ It is unknown if the frame of the car was spoiled in this accident. The Bugatti was next owned by Philippe Vernholes, treasurer and later secretary of the French Bugatti Club, who bought the car around 1969. Monsieur Vernholes bought the car in poor condition and so instructed Henri Novo to return the engine to running condition and Jean-Paul Monceau to carry out repairs to the coachwork. The wings were replaced, interior and seats retrimmed in green, and the body repainted in Souffre Blanc—a light green colour.
The two B&W photographs above are from the time of restoration at Jean-Paul Monceau, in the early 1970's. The photo below is of 44784 in 1936. Note that the fenders have been changed into more flowing ones. B&W Photo's provided by PY Laugier.
December 29, 2025 Oldtimergalerie Toffen Gstaad Auction Gstaad, Switzerland
January 28 - February 1, 2025 Retromobile Paris, France
Bugatti Autorail and Unusual Prototypes: Bugatti’s Genius at Rétromobile 2026
Get ready for an extraordinary exhibition! In partnership with the Cité du Train, the Musée National de l’Automobile, and Eiffage Rail, Rétromobile will celebrate Ettore Bugatti’s genius by presenting one of his most monumental creations: the last surviving Bugatti Autorail. But that's not all! This exhibition, illuminated by the Mathieu Lustrerie workshops (certified as "Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant"), will also feature some of the artist-engineer’s most unique creations.
A Formula 1 single-seater with a rear transverse engine, a prototype Type 73 sports sedan, and Ettore Bugatti’s personal Type 56 electric-powered vehicle… these are just a few of the mechanical oddities that will be showcased in Pavilion 7.1
We invite owners of prewar Bugatti cars to join us for an eventful week, where the keywords will be fine hotels, hills, heathland, seaside, lakes, forests, castles, museums, ships, craft & production, churches, gastronomy, entertainment and surprises.
For the 2026 International Bugatti Meeting Bugatti Club Denmark has spared no effort in creating a truly enjoyable and memorable event for the participants and their classic Bugatti cars.
By holding the meeting in late June, we hope to take advantage of a lovely Danish summer, with weather, landscapes and cities at their most beautiful.
Over six days of driving, we will cover approximately 1,000 km along scenic country roads, passing through varied landscapes and charming villages.
Along the way, participants will experience some of Jutland’s most notable highlights, enjoy exquisite meals and drinks, all in good company—and with relaxed driving, since Denmark’s highest point reaches only 170 metres above sea level.
During the event we will be based in two cities: Kolding and Silkeborg.
Near Kolding, from Sunday to Thursday, participants will stay at the elegant Hotel Koldingfjord, beautifully situated on the shores of the Kolding Fjord.
On Thursday, a transfer drive will take us to the historic Hotel Gl. Skovridergaard, where we will spend the last three nights.
Hotel Gl. Skovridergaard is surrounded by picturesque grounds with magnificent old trees close to the river Gudenåen, the woods and Silkeborg city centre.
Please follow this link to sign up (Until September 30, 2025!)
More information about the IBM 2026
And, of course, we will visit our birthplace, the Nürburgring. The get-together in the historic paddock
and the laps on the ‘Historic Nordschleife’ exclusively for Bugatti enthusiasts will be a special
experience. Bugatti-Club Deutschland is already looking forward to welcome many Bugatti enthusiasts
to its anniversary meeting.
The registration starts at the beginning of November. We will inform the clubs in good time.
Further Information:
info@bugatti-club-deutschland.de
The American Bugatti Club is hosting the 2026 International Bugatti Meet (IBM) in Oregon in September, 2026. This point-to-point tour will take a circular route around western Oregon, beginning and ending at the Allison Inn and Spa, our headquarter hotel. In addition, the 12th US Bugatti Grand Prix will take place at Pacific Raceway, Kent, Washington, following the tour. You will not want to miss these 13 days of Bugatti activities! If you think you might be able to participate, please complete the attached ‘Intent of Interest’ form and return it to Paul Simms via email or mail as soon as possible. This will help the organizing committee plan the event.
International Bugatti Meet: September 8 – 14
'Volcano Tour': September 15 - 17
12th US Bugatti Grand Prix Weekend: September 17 - 20
Both of these exciting events will provide fantastic opportunities to exercise your Bugatti as Ettore intended, along beautiful roads and with wonderful friends.
There are a limited number of entries available, so please react using the below Intent of Interest form as soon as possible.
2026 Organizing Committee:
Vive la Marque!!!
The entry form can be found at:
2026-IBM-Intent-of-Interest.pdf
Online homeschool programs at Northgate Academy
Bugatti News
October 26, 2025 Auction result
October 21, 2025 Obituary: Hugh R.G. Conway, 1940-2025
Dear Members and Friends, 
October 19, 2025 Auction results
October 12, 2025 Auction result
October 4, 2025 Auction result
August 25, 2025 A Bugatti Bolide for the road!
August 23, 2025 Obituary: Alain Bouissou, 1962–2025
"Very nice, this Bugatti T57SC Atlantic, is this not the dr. Williamson car, now owned by Peter Mullin?"
"Are you mad! This is not the real car, this is one of those fancy models in 1:8 scale!"
"I think it is one of those CMC models in 1:18 scale!"
Of course, you and I know that this is the new Alain Bouissou model in 1:43! Incredible detail, especially in this tiny scale! The model is a good 100mm long! Impressive!
I always paid him a visit when at Retromobile, where he had his own display at the Miniature Artisan's corner. We would chat a while, and he would show me the progress of his latest project. I believe the Atlantic was one of his most leaborate miniatures. I also asked him how, how did he put this tremendous detail in these 1:43 scale miniatures? His answer was straightforward and simple: "Just glue".
I now came to know that in 2017 Bénédicte Bouissou made a book about Alain and his miniature models: "Alain Bouissou - Sublimes Bugatti Miniatures". The drawing at the right is featured on the cover of this book, artist unknown.
Unfortunately, his health problems which started in 2017 prevented him from further pursuing his plans for new miniatures, it must have been at Retromobile 2018 that I last met him. At the Artisan's corner, this time without miniatures. Here he told me about his health problems, a very sad encounter that day.
August 18, 2025 Auctions results
August 7, 2025 New One-off Bugatti presented: The Brouillard
This one-off was ordered by the famous Dutch entrepreneur and Bugatti collector, Michel Perridon. He already has in his stables six of the "VW" Bugattis, one EB110 SS and a few dozen of the original Molsheim products from the time that Ettore Bugatti himself held the reins there. Added to those is the largest (worldwide) collection of Carlo Bugatti furniture, and many beautiful Rembrandt Bugatti sculptures, as well as a load of other stuff and automobilia.
Apart from the wheels, with five horseshoes each, there are no references to horses on the outside. There even is an image of the balancing elephant on the sides, reference to the radiator mascot delivered with the Bugatti Royale, and made after a sculpture by Ettore's brother Rembrandt. I guess that a prancing horse would have been quite a sight there, upsetting maybe some guys in Maranello...
The art of coachbuilding has flowed through Bugatti's DNA for over a century. From the timeless automotive designs of Jean Bugatti to the masterful sculptures of Rembrandt Bugatti, the pursuit of singular automotive artistry has defined the marque since its inception. Today, Bugatti unveils the Programme Solitaire, an exclusive new offering dedicated to creating truly bespoke, one-of-one vehicles that celebrate the brand's rich heritage while pushing the boundaries of personalization and craftsmanship.
"The Programme Solitaire allows us to authentically explore the unique visions of our clients, giving us more flexibility to explore different interpretations of long-established Bugatti design elements. On a one-of-one, we have much more freedom in the reinterpretation of what a Bugatti is, while maintaining the same absolute dedication to perfection in every detail; there will be no compromise to performance, quality or design. Each precious Solitaire will be unique and peerless, offering a level of attention to detail not found in even the most exclusive automotive creations.” 
The Programme Solitaire is inspired by Bugatti's coachbuilding roots, a tradition that flourished in the early 20th century when the most beautiful automotive bodies were created through collaboration between car companies and specialist coachbuilders. Jean Bugatti revolutionized this approach by bringing the craft in-house, enabling the creation of icons like the Type 57 SC Atlantic. Although that car may be most famous, the Type 57 chassis was adorned with numerous in-house bodies, including Galibier, Stelvio, Ventoux and Atalante, offering options from four-door saloon to two-door convertible and coupé.
The proportional mastery of Brouillard follows principles akin to classical art, where the relationship between elements creates immediate visual appeal. Through careful consideration of volume distribution, the lower third of the vehicle is rendered in dark tones that visually connect to the car's shadow. Much of the perception of a car comes from its upper two-thirds, helping in this case to create the perception of a lighter, more dynamic silhouette – appearing both lower and longer – while making the wheels appear proportionally larger. 
The aerodynamic philosophy seamlessly integrates functional elements into the sculpted bodywork. Air intakes feed through radiators creating a pressure drop for more air flow through the radiators to optimize cooling efficiency, while the fixed ducktail wing provides aerodynamic balance and enhances the car's elegant silhouette. The rear diffuser maximizes the functional surface area through innovative exhaust packaging, representing the culmination of W16 platform development.
The commissioning owner of Brouillard is an enormously passionate Bugatti collector, not just of cars – both old and new – but also of the eclectic furniture of Carlo Bugatti and the beautiful bronze sculptures of Rembrandt Bugatti. The owner wanted to bring together all of the craft and artistry of the Bugatti family in a masterpiece that celebrated a core inspiration of Ettore Bugatti’s approach to automotive design: his love of his horses. In these many bespoke details, the owner’s broad and detailed appreciation for Bugatti's rich automotive history, the Bugatti family and Ettore’s unique bond with his favorite horse is celebrated.
August 6, 2025 Obituary: Anders Ditlev Clausager, 1949–2025
Anders Ditlev Clausager was a Danish-born automotive designer, archivist, and one of the most respected historians in the field of motoring heritage. Educated at the Aarhus School of Architecture and the Royal College of Art in London, he began his career as a designer at Volkswagen and Austin-Morris before transitioning to archival work. From 1979 to 2014, he was archivist first at the British Motor Industry Heritage Trust and later at the Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust, where he developed landmark vehicle record databases and introduced the influential “Heritage Certificate” service.
August 4, 2025 One-off Bugatti to be unveiled August 7: The Solitaire
And lot's more of the classic Bugatti's, which will be exhibitioned at the Wheels Mariënwaerdt event in the Netherlands during the Molsheim Festival weekend: September 12 - 14, 2025.
Jul 9, 2025 Auction result
July 8, 2025 Rumours are suppressed, Bugatti is expanding in Molsheim
Now, entering the new era of Bugatti with the Tourbillon hypercar, a new world-class production facility in the Château grounds is set to take up the mantle, as the next generation of the brand's Atelier starts to move from concept to reality.
The new Atelier's modernity goes beyond skin-deep, however, with its intelligent layout delivering new levels of efficiency. Delivering double the production capacity of the existing Atelier, the larger floorspace and its upgraded facilities enable Bugatti to introduce a new generation of manufacturing equipment and workflow design, bringing more capabilities in-house. From the first assembly of vehicle sub-components, to the creation of the rolling chassis and facilitating its marriage to the bodywork, the building makes the process of bringing a Bugatti to life more efficient than at any other point in its 116-year history.
"In its own way, every vehicle that has left Molsheim has gone on to carve out a unique story in the automotive world. Time after time, Bugatti vehicles have written chapter upon chapter in pushing the boundaries of automotive engineering – coming down to the incredible skill of the people in our Atelier. Now, with the next-generation Atelier starting to come to life, we look towards strengthening our production capabilities and brand even further. With the all-new equipment targeted for installation at the end of the year, we look ahead to bringing in new talent, efficiencies, and possibilities in creating more automotive history together. While the Tourbillon leads a bold new era in performance, our new production capabilities ensure that Molsheim continues to set the benchmark for excellence."
June 30, 2025 Auctions results
May 29, 2025 Chateau St. Jean miniature
However, as one can see comparing with the photo of the real Chateau, there are less windows (only two on either side of the entrance instead of 3) and some other details which were simplified. Of course one can extend this kit with "two windows" to three, by acquiring two kits, and combining them...
Beware: there are two different kits on the same page, make sure to select the right one!
May 29, 2025 Auction result
May 21, 2025 Rembrandt Bugatti sculptures on auction
Bonhams - Cornette de Saint Cyr auction, June 4, 2025
May 12, 2025 Auction result
May 12, 2025 Next move at Bugatti
(The current Bugatti so often refers to it's famous heritage, and that the cars are assembled in Molsheim, the original birthplace of all Bugattis. Thus, why are they designed in Berlin? Ed.)
A protected place as a site of historical significance, the structure began its life in the 1920s as a critical power station, supplying electricity for the city’s metro system – before transforming into a techno club in the 1990s. And now, having borne witness to the winds of change and cultural shifts as the sands of time flowed through the decades, the storied space takes on its own new purpose.
State-of-the-art equipment nevertheless goes hand-in-hand with dearly held hallmarks of tried-and-tested automotive design – working in harmony throughout a creative process that draws on the unique studio space to spark artistic ideation. From cabin materials of every cut, thread and origin, to meticulously hand-drawn sketches of customers’ individual vehicle commissions, the Bugatti artisans’ work is laid out for each colleague to admire and be inspired – an environment itself creatively designed by those who flourish within it, advancing Bugatti’s inimitable story of craftsmanship yet further.
Ultimately, the manifestation of the incredible studio’s beauty is found in its equally customizable design. Each workbench, easel, and creative space can be seamlessly rolled back; infinitely variable mood lighting throughout the studio adjusted; and the intricately tiled floor space opened up, creating an event space perfect for celebrating the magnificence of the design team’s new home.
April 26, 2025 Bob King : Bugatti Man
Amongst the many Bugatti items, and of course many from other marques, one item stands out:
Peugeot Bébé (Baby) was a small car made by the French manufacturer between 1905 to 1916.
Just two models were ultimately produced under the nameplate, the Type 69 which was sold only during 1905, and the Type BP1 – for Bugatti-Peugeot 1 – which debuted at the Paris Motor Show in 1912, and was manufactured between 1913 and 1916.
Significantly, the Type BP1 Bébé was designed by Ettore Bugatti, originally for the German marque Wanderer, but also built under license by Peugeot for the French market. Bugatti had given the design an official Type number, Type 16.
Confusingly, the Peugeot factory sometimes also refers to the model as the B3P1.
Diminutive in size, looking very much like a half-scale open-topped tourer, the Peugeot Bébé used the marque’s own T-head 855cc four-cylinder engine which produced 7 kW at 2000rpm, giving the 350kg car a top speed of 60 kilometres per hour. While the Wanderer used Bugatti's own four-speed transmission, Peugeot fitted a two-speed gearbox initially, later replaced by its own three-speed.
With a total of 3095 examples made, the Bugatti designed Bébé became the first production Peugeot to surpass 3,000 units.
VEHICLE HISTORY:
Drawing attention amid the plethora of car dealerships on Sydney’s Parramatta Road was ever a challenge.
NSW Peugeot dealer Norman Agate came up with a novel solution in the years before World War II … he stuck this 1914 Peugeot Bébé up a tree!
It is not known how many Bébés came to Australia, but existing records suggest that as many as six were registered in NSW, with potentially as many or more in Victoria. Surprisingly, there are three other examples of the tiny, Ettore Bugatti-designed Peugeots currently known in the southern state.
Norman Agate is believed to have been the second owner of this Bébé, which spent an indeterminant number of years up the tree before being rescued by a Canberra enthusiast around 1976, who replaced it with an Austin 7.
Needless to say, constant exposure to the elements hadn’t done much good to the diminutive Peugeot, which was a crumbling wreck with its Gautier body disintegrating, when rescued.
It passed through several enthusiasts’ hands before ending up dismantled, in a mezzanine above a Sydney wholesale butcher’s shop, where our vendor first saw it 30 years ago.
Our vendor, a renowned Bugatti enthusiast, purchased the body and “just a pile of bits, some missing” in 2014 and began the Bébé’s complete restoration, which was completed in 2018.
Today, the Bébé wears a time-worn patina thanks to the replacement body’s original olive green paintwork with black guards and bonnet, all clear-coated to protect them.
Inside, the moth-eaten upholstery and floor coverings are original too.
With the assistance of fellow Bugatti enthusiasts, the BP1 had its new body fitted to the original chassis, some welding was done to the guards, and the mechanicals were refurbished, including new differential gears made.
That work returned it to running condition and, indeed, it was running and driving under its own steam when delivered to Donington Auctions.
In deference to the Bébé’s originality, it has been kept in ‘oily rag’ condition and won ‘Best Pre 1930 Vehicle’ at the annual British & European Day at Yarra Glen (Victoria) earlier this year.
Accompanying the tiny Peugeot are copies of original manuals, various vehicle histories, receipts and assorted documentation.
A significant model in the histories of both Peugeot and Bugatti, this Bébé BP1 would be the centre of attention wherever it goes, even without its colourful past.
Previously on Victorian club registration, the 1914 Peugeot Bébé 611P Type BP1 Two Seater is being offered for sale here unregistered.
April 2, 2025 A new era for Bugatti in the Netherlands: The all-new Bugatti Rotterdam showroom opens its doors
In the new era of Bugatti, defined by the Tourbillon hyper sports car, the marque’s incomparable journey takes a new path. A cutting-edge interpretation of timeless design and unparalleled luxury, the Tourbillon has captured the imaginations of enthusiasts around the world. And so that journey continues, as the latest in Bugatti’s illustrious lineage arrived for the Grand Opening of the Bugatti showroom in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
In a relationship that has flourished since 2012, Pon Luxury & Performance Cars has reinforced its reputation as a trusted partner for the brand, establishing itself as a crucial instrument in Bugatti’s success in the country – the unison of each vehicle and discerning owner exquisitely facilitated by the industry-leading outfit.
And now, as Bugatti advances into its new era, it elevates the essence of the brand experience to new heights. An elegantly presented, 188-square-meter space, envelops customers in the Bugatti universe – finished in the latest iteration of Bugatti’s visual identity.
“Rotterdam represents the perfect evolution for our brand presence in the Netherlands. This vibrant city, with Europe's largest port, world-class architecture, and cosmopolitan atmosphere, embodies the forward-thinking spirit that drives Bugatti. Our new 188-square-meter showroom provides the ideal environment to showcase not only our latest extraordinary hyper sports cars, but also our vision for the future of Bugatti. To our valued partners at Pon Luxury & Performance Cars, thank you for your continued dedication and passion. To our clients, thank you for your support of our vision. We are incredibly excited for what the future holds for Bugatti and its continuing legend, and we look forward to creating more shared memories in this new era.”
Hendrik Malinowski,
Bugatti Managing Director
April 1, 2025 Bugatti has no problem with USA's import tariffs
At least, not yet. And if it does, this way of smuggling parts over the border really is not the way to do it..
March 30, 2025 Bugatti preparing to circumvent USA's import tariffs
I was sent these clandestinely shot photographs of Bugatti employees carefully packaging parts and hiding them inside the rear-axle of a truck, which will take them from Canada to the USA.
March 15, 2025 Ettore Bugatti sculpture by Bertold Grether
As a sculptor specializing in portrait and figurative art, various artistic reasons led sculptor Bertold Grether to search for
a suitable form for a portrait bust of Ettore Bugatti.
For more info, please e-mail plastischeportraits@googlemail.com.
March 13, 2025 Auction result
March 11, 2025 Rembrandt Bugatti drawing / sketch surfaces
For years I have been convinced that Rembrandt Bugatti only made his marvelous sculptures, and not much more, except some caricature drawings.
March 8, 2025 Auction results
The only surprise is the relatively low price for the parts, mainly Type 46. They are ok prices, but not as high as one would have expected.
March 5, 2025 WARNING: Bugatti T40A offered while owner did not give permission
"I don't want to make derogatory remarks about someone in an email but you should be aware that I have never heard of Conroy Classics or David Kunzler. I have never dealt with them in any matters especially as regards my Bugatti Type 40 A.
In fact, the web-address www.conroy-classics.com has been listed only 2 weeks ago, since February 19, 2025, though they claim to be in business since 1995.... Chance is, they do not own any of the cars listed, that they just look to get some downpayments (maybe in Crypto) to then disappear again. On the address claimed (15010 SE Morning Way STE D Clackamans USA, 97015), no Conroy Classics exists....
March 2, 2025 One more auction of items from Peter Mullin and his museum
Of course the Automobiles have all been sold or auctioned, as have most of the prominent Carlo Bugatti furniture and many other items.
March 1, 2025 Auction result
From the Collection of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum
February 26, 2025 There will be one more Bugatti with VVR16 engine: 'Most expensive car in the world'
February 24, 2025 Auction result
February 23, 2025 Atlantic Recreation and Restored Baillon Ventoux presented
Photographs and info from Rick Nicolaas
On the day before the festival, february 12, the cars were presented at a meeting of the Bugatti Owners Club NZ (above).
Many years ago, I dreamt of owning a Bugatti.
I would like to firstly thank my wife, Diane, for her never-ending patience and support. Her loyalty and interest towards these projects have been so important to me, and we have travelled the world together, meeting members of the Bugatti community and sourcing original parts.
February 9, 2025 Auctions results
February 5, 2025 Auction results
February 3, 2025 Surprise at Retromobile, and at Osenat auction
Bugatti vise and legs from the family collection
The vise designed by Ettore Bugatti is an adjusting vise - he didn't intend it for the heavy-duty work for which conventional vises are generally used. It was used by workers to adjust mechanical parts on cars at a time when machine tools were not as advanced as they are today. This is what gave this precision tool its letters of nobility. Early in the design process, Ettore Bugatti had a wooden mould made to cast the core for the sand moulds. In this impression, the logo is carved into the wood. Early versions of the vises had a groove on the moving part and two guide screws in the fixed body. Later, the wooden mold was modified by the insertion of an aluminum logo. This will ensure a higher quality of the logo in the foundry. They are easily 
recognizable, as the logo is more prominent on the body. A sheet metal dust cover with three screws and felt gasket will also be added to prevent impurities from getting trapped between the moving and fixed body. After the war, there was less need to adjust finished parts, and vises had to be more versatile. Pierre Marco made the final modification, removing the two guide screws and machining the fixed body to fit a much stronger square slide.
Cast-iron, each leg stamped in relief on both sides with BUGATTI mounting holes; original condition.
From the former Molsheim workshops
H. : 81cm ; L. : 69cm ; Diameter at base of legs : 15cm
January 20, 2024
Mate Rimac: "Our Bugattis are sold until 2029"
In 2021, his group joined forces with Porsche to create a company for prestige hypercars. 900 people work for Bugatti Rimac and 1,300 for Rimac Technology. Apart from 200 people in Moselle, 2,000 people work in Croatia.
But hypercar customers are not all convinced by electric cars yet. Also, the central question is that of residual values, a subtle play on the prestige car as an investment.
Heritage also does a lot. Bugatti customers are often customers who already have Bugattis. The thousand Bugattis in circulation in the world are in the hands of around 500 customers. "Our cars only drive 800 kilometers per year on average," adds Marta Longin, head of communications at Bugatti Rimac. "That's normal when you have 30 cars," she adds.
Bugatti news, former issues
The chassis of the Type 44 offered here, numbered 44784, is noted to have been completed by the Bugatti factory in November 1928. The Factory Monthly Register lists the sale of the car, in its first form as a rolling chassis, to important Bugatti dealer Christy, Pangaud & Monestier of Lyon, who paid 48,000 French francs. Originally mounted with an eight-cylinder Type 44 engine, numbered 571, the chassis left the Molsheim factory under the instruction of its supplying dealer for the short journey across north-eastern France to Gangloff’s workshop in Colmar. Here, the French coachbuilder styled the Type 44 Profilé with a rare ‘Aerodynamique’ body, seldom worn on a Bugatti chassis. The Gangloff coachwork is instantly recognisable for its ‘Aerodynamique’ shape, with its compact coupé profile and low-rake windscreen that combine to denote a sporting character.
Upon completion, the Bugatti was first registered for the road in France on 26 February 1929 in the department of Rhone, wearing the registration “3021 PF”. According to the Bugatti expert Pierre-Yves Laugier, who commissioned a history report of the Type 44 in September 2025, chassis 44784 was first privately owned by Jean Paul Prylli, a devoted car enthusiast and member of the Automobile Club du Rhone. Monsieur Prylli was known to have made his fortune in London by selling silk muslin, tulle fabric, and veils for weddings, eventually ranking among the most prominent globally and the biggest silk buyer in France. The Bugatti was delivered new to the Prylli family home in Lyon in February 1929. It is thought that Monsieur Prylli acquired a Bugatti Type 49 Berline around October 1933, forcing the sale of chassis 44784 to one Monsieur Aufenast, also of Lyon.
In February 1934 the Type 44 was sold again by the Monestier agency, with its ledger roughly translated as commenting: ‘It is the only Type 44 for which we have Bugatti agency archives with the mention of ‘Aerodynamique’, even if we do know that chassis 44419 was quite similar.’ By this point the car had been acquired by Marcel Perrin, a renowned motorcycle racer residing in Mâcon, and registered as “9367 QD 2”. The Monestier agency sold the car again when it was registered as “6582 PF 5” in May 1934, and it was sold once more in August 1936, assuming the French registration “3318 RK 5”.
By June 1972, the Type 44 had been acquired at auction by prominent marque collectors of the 1970s and 1980s: Nicolas Seydoux, with his brother Michel. It was next acquired by Edgard Ben Soussan in 1988 and later exported to Switzerland to join Peter Aeschliemann’s Bugatti collection in Zurich in 1993. The Bugatti was noted for sale at a Swiss garage in Teffen in 1995 and in 2006 it was bought by the Dutch car dealer Jack Braam Ruben. It was sold to Spain one year later. In the care of the consigning owner, the Type 44 has been subject to at least £250,000-worth of maintenance, performed by Bugatti-specialist Ivan Dutton Limited and established race mechanic and engineer Maurice Ogier.
On Monsieur Laugier’s last inspection of the car, he noted that the lower crankcase of the engine (numbered 470) originates from a Bugatti chassis numbered 44760. The gearbox comes from a Type 44 made around May 1928, the rear axle from a same model made in December 1927, and frame (stamped 683) correct for a chassis numbered around 44520. The report concludes: 'There is no doubt that the actual body on the car is made for 44748, one of the very rare Gangloff ‘Aerodynamique’ bodies for Bugatti. The car presented today is a unique example, an original Type 44 'Aerodynamique'. It is an historic piece of Bugatti and Gangloff coachwork.'
In celebration of its 50th anniversary and as a nod to its origins, Rétromobile pays tribute to the genius of Ettore Bugatti by showcasing one of the Italian inventor's lesser-known creations: the Presidential Railcar. Alongside it, 7 other mechanical oddities will highlight the craftsmanship and avant-garde vision of the artist-engineer.
In the summer of 2026, 49 years after the last international Bugatti gathering in Denmark, our club will once again host this magnificent event.
1956 German Grand Prix at the Nürburgring. On 4 August, Bugatti-Club Deutschland was founded in
the paddock by former Bugatti racing drivers and Bugatti owners. This is, of course, an occasion for us
to celebrate an anniversary meeting, to which the club would like to cordially invite its members and
friends from the international community of Bugatti enthusiasts. The centre of our meeting is Bad
Neuenahr-Ahrweiler. For a long time, the town was a popular location for our club meetings and also
the place where the ‘International Bugatti Meeting 1983’ was held. From there, we will start our four
day trips, exploring spectacular, varied landscapes such as the Ahr valley flanked by vineyards, the
unique Vulkaneifel, called "Land of volcanoes" and the Moselle region. Picturesque medieval villages,
castles and other attractions line the roads along the routes.
Dear Bugatti Enthusiasts:
The tour will include six days of driving through wine country, glaciated mountains, pristine alpine lakes, ponderosa pine forests, volcanic lava fields and the high desert of Oregon. You will be staying at beautiful inns and resorts. This unforgettable tour of the disappearing American west will include a private rodeo, a tour of Howard Hughes’ Spruce Goose at the Aviation and Space Museum, and a Recreation Day to experience Central Oregon, with a Crater Lake option. This is a unique opportunity, being the first time that an International Bugatti Meet has been held in the Pacific Northwest.
This is a three-day transition tour from the Allison Hotel to Pacific Raceway, Kent, WA. While you can drive directly to the track in 3-4 hours (185 miles), the ‘Volcano Tour’ takes you through some of the prettiest parts of lower Washington state. The tour begins along the Columbia Gorge with stops at wineries and the Mary Hill Museum, which features works by Rodin and Loie Fuller. The route provides stunning vistas, including three glaciated volcanoes in the “Pacific Ring of Fire” in the Cascade Mountain range. Our final stop is the host hotel near Pacific Raceways.
Whether racing or spectating, the ABC has arranged for this to be an exciting few days for all Bugatti enthusiasts. Approximately 30 Bugattis will race for 3 days at the 2.25 mile Pacific Raceway “European Style” track in Kent, Washington. Three-day passes will be available for those with Bugatti touring cars to park in the paddocks, attend a welcome dinner on Thursday evening, join tours of famous Seattle car collections and participate in parade laps on Friday, Saturday, and before the Bugatti Grand Prix on Sunday. The weekend will end with a Gala Awards Dinner on Sunday evening.
Bugatti events from the past
Please let me know if you know the dates of any Bugatti events in the future.
I can be reached by email at J.J.Horst@BugattiPage.com.
