Part 1 - A Bugatti in your garage? Some good reasons to having one

Ettore Bugatti was a man of many talents and a true artist in every sense of the word. He came from a family of artists and designers, with his father Carlo creating magnificent furniture and his brother Rembrandt being a talented sculptor. Ettore's own talent for engineering and design led him to create the Bugatti marque, which produced some of the most innovative and striking vehicles of the time.

1910 Bugatti Type 13 Brescia. The first Bugatti, the first victories

Bugatti was not only a visionary but also a tenacious engineer who never shied away from a challenge. He moved to Alsace at the age of 29, where he founded his own company to manufacture automobiles, ultimately becoming the Bugatti marque. He patented over nine hundred designs, which ranged from cars to airplanes, boats to trains. His designs were a mixture of the highly innovative and the stubbornly conservative, and he was able to conjure up creative solutions effortlessly.

Ettore Bugatti on horseback around Molsheim headquarters

Bugatti's sumptuous lifestyle and eccentric refinement contributed to the unique overall image of Bugatti cars. He lived in the magnificent Chateau St. Jean, just a stone's throw from the Molsheim factory, and dressed with the utmost elegance. He was known for his hospitality, ensuring that the team and visitors' tents at races were even fitted with showers.

Ettore Bugatti. A true genius

Bugatti's son and heir Jean, who had designed the Le Mans-winning Type 57 and the amazing Atlantic, died in an accident in 1939. Just 19 days later, Germany declared war, ending Ettore's magnificent dream abruptly. This was a devastating blow to Bugatti, who had poured his heart and soul into creating one of the most successful marques of his time. Despite the tragic end to his life's work, the Bugatti marque remains a testament to Ettore's creative brilliance as a true artist. Anyone with a Bugatti in their garage can recognize, merely by looking at the car, a true artwork.

The elegant Ettore Bugatti together with its drivers at the 1926 Spanish GP