Disciples of Ettore Bugatti made their 40th annual pilgrimage to Molsheim from 14-17 September, and C&SC went along for the ride
WORDS ALASTAIR CLEMENTS PHOTOGRAPHY ALIBIEV BROTHERS/BUGATTI SAS
Some marques have a mystique that transcends mere machinery. They build a passionate following that inspires those who have never even sat in one of their products – let alone driven or owned one – and engender fervent pride in their places of origin. Visit the Italian town of Maranello and youʼll find it impossible to escape the constant presence of the Cavallino Rampante, and the same is true of the red lozenge in the French sub-prefecture of Molsheim.
Bugatti in its original form closed its doors in 1952, and has only really been a force once again – despite repeated short-lived revivals in between – since Volkswagen and subsequently Porsche bankrolled its rebirth as a modern hypercar manufacturer in 1998. Yet the flame of the marque had been kept burning brightly by dedicated owners across the world, peaking each year with an annual pilgrimage to its home town on the weekend closest to the birth date of its legendary founder, Le Patron Ettore Bugatti, on 15 September 1881.
This year marked the 40th anniversary of the Bugatti Festival in Molsheim, organised by Enthousiastes Bugatti Alsace, and the whole town appeared to have turned out as owners from Germany, Switzerland, the UK, Poland, Luxembourg, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, The Netherlands and Belgium joined French-based Bugattistes for three packed days of tours, displays and exhibitions dedicated to the marque. Beginning with a visit to Ettoreʼs grave in neighbouring Dorlisheim cemetery to pay their respects, the event culminated in a gala in the Parc des Jésuites, central Molsheim.
Bugatti Automobiles SAS brought along 10 modern models, too, including the record-breaking Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse and Chiron Super Sport, plus a pre-production Veyron, to flank some 60 historic machines. It also opened the doors to Ettoreʼs former property, Château Saint-Jean, which sits alongside the modern atelier and played host to an exhibition of furniture and sculpture by members of the Bugatti family (left).
A small display of Grand Prix and Le Mans machinery – including Type 57G and Type 32 ʻTanksʼ – was joined by a prototype of the new, track-only Bolide, while in the centre of town the sole-surviving T41 Royale-powered Bugatti Autorail train made a
