Jack Barclay Bugatti owners celebrate 100 years of Bugatti
Early October was earmarked as the date when Bugatti VAG would welcome Bugatti owners to Molsheim to celebrate their 100th birthday. In 1909 the young Ettore Bugatti left his employer Deutz, leased some buildings and started the production of his own cars. He made the famous Chateau Saint Jean the home for his soon to become legendary business of producing the super cars of their era and Grand Prix winning cars.
Under their modern auspices, the Anniversary weekend was split into Saturday for the old Bugattis, then the Sunday for the current Bugatti Veyrons and a unique glimpse of what comes next from this legendary manufacturer.
It was a motoring event of unparalleled beauty – beautiful weather, a guest list comprising the motoring world’s elite, Alsatian hospitality and an array modern art in the form of all the that the Bugatti family had given rise to.
Jack Barclay’s enthusiastic group of owners began the trip via the channel tunnel on the Friday for the brief tour to their classic hideaway hotel in the hills above Molsheim. Our 7 Veyrons added to the Bugatti laden display at the chateaux, the grounds overflowing with vintage examples of inestimable value. Guests were treated to the parade of the classics from BeBe through T35 GP cars and Royale to the Veyron of the 30s, the Type 55 after it’s GP stable mate the T54.
On Sunday, 37 Bugatti Veyrons were lined up in an unforgettable group showing off almost 40,000 hp’s worth of engineering excellence. Prototypes, new models, distinguished one-offs and the new Grand Sport demonstrators greeted the crowds at the factory gate with fleeting glimpses. Early tea, gave way to preparations for the evening gathering. Lights, smoke, champagne and resounding music saw a gorgeously orchestrated unveiling of the latest proposal from the Bugatti masters, the 4 door blue carbon Bugatti 16 C Galibier that had onlookers gasping. The revelations lasted late into the night…
Thoughtful progress for the safe return to the UK, had the perfect weekend headlines written and re-written on the Monday; so much, had been packed into so little, by so many. We may not see the next 100th Celebration, but many of today’s Bugatti will… The extraordinary story was retold in vibrant colour and consuming warmth and welcoming hospitality.
