A collection of the most extraordinary unrestored Bugatti vehicles has been carefully cared for and researched for many years in a spacious house in Switzerland. But now this collection, lovingly built up over decades by Hans Matti, has found a new custodian and the first journey under its new owner has taken the vehicles to Château Saint Jean in Molsheim - the home of Bugatti Automobiles.
The return of these vehicles to their place of origin is a fitting introduction to the latest chapter in their lives. Hans Matti has dedicated his life to building up this collection and has collected original photographs, magazine articles, books and factory reports on the vehicles. He has not only collected the vehicles, but also researched their entire history. As archivist of the Bugatti Club Suisse, Hans Matti is one of the world's most knowledgeable experts on Bugatti Grand Prix cars.
Hans Matti was understandably reluctant to part with this unique collection. Talks about buying the collection went on for two and a half years and even Caroline Bugatti, Ettore Bugatti's granddaughter, was involved in the negotiations.
Five pre-war Bugatti
The extraordinary collection includes a Bugatti Type 51, considered to be one of the most original surviving models, a remarkably well-preserved Type 37A, a Type 49 Faux Cabriolet with a short chassis and bodywork by Jean Bugatti - the only surviving example in the world - a Type 35B and a Type 35A with the only surviving engine and chassis and the only surviving rear axle of the Type 36.
Elegant Type 49
The Type 49 was Jean Bugatti's personal vehicle and bears the initials "JB" on the doors. Models of the Type 49 whose bodywork was designed and built in Bugatti's factory, as in this example, are extremely rare and no other Type 49 in existence has the unique faux-cabriolet bodywork. What is almost more incredible is that this Type 49 was transported to its first private owners in the same van as the Type 51 (described below). Their reunion completes a circle that began back in the 1930s.
The special Bugatti Type 51
The Type 51 - a Grand Prix works racing car - has never been restored or repainted and bears the marks of 90 years of racing and driving pleasure. The original craftsmanship of Ettore Bugatti's team is visible here and the car proudly shows the traces of its eventful life.
The Type 51 in the collection began its life as one of the last Type 35Bs ever built, a Grand Prix works racing car driven at the time by Louis Chiron, who gave his name to Bugatti's latest hyper sports car. As part of the further development of the Type 35 - considered the most successful racing car of all time - Bugatti developed a new advanced engine with two overhead camshafts and a new vehicle to be powered by this engine: the Type 51. The new engine was installed in this car, making it one of the very first Type 51s, equipped with engine number 1 and raced by Achille Varzi and other motorsport heroes of the time. Varzi is still honored at Bugatti today. To celebrate the brand's 100th birthday, a special Centenaire Edition Veyron "Achille Varzi" was presented.
With participations in Monaco and Monza, the Targa Florio and many other races, this car has an impressive racing history. Another important connection is that the Grand Prix engine installed in the original Type 35B version of this car was installed in another Type 35B from this collection before it was sold as a new car.
Remnants from the two destroyed Type 36s
One of the outstanding racetracks of the early racing era was Montlhéry in France. The track was known for its high-speed banked turns, but also for its exceptionally uneven surface. Bugatti's detailed design approach led to the development of a new model for racing at Montlhéry: the Type 36. With its rigid rear axle, this car would cope better with the difficult conditions of this particular circuit. Two variants were built. The later model was fitted with a supercharger and is generally regarded as the first Bugatti with a supercharger. However, its racing career was short-lived and the only two Type 36s built were destroyed.
All that remained were the engine, gearbox and rear axle of one of the two cars, which can now be found in a Type 35A in this collection - another unique piece from Bugatti's history.
Original preserved Type 37A
The five Bugatti vehicles in the collection are completed by a Type 37A from the long line of Bugattis with superchargers, which presumably began with the Type 36. This car is also completely preserved in its original condition, with the corresponding serial numbers of the components and all owners, and its extensive racing history - which is still not complete today - has been traced back in detail to the first owner in 1929.
The Type 37 was considered by many of its drivers to be the top car for the Voiturette class, but with the addition of a supercharger - making it the Type 37A - the powerful four-cylinder engine was able to increase the top speed from the previous 144 km/h to over 193 km/h. Only 76 models were fitted with a supercharger by Bugatti. They took part in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the Mille Miglia, the Targa Florio and many other races.
No restoration planned
This unique vehicle collection is now entering its third era. The first began with the sale of the new cars and the second was spent under the careful care of Hans Matti. Now they are preserved in their original, unrestored condition as important testimonies to Bugatti's history. When they were all gathered at Château Saint Jean - a place that Ettore Bugatti bought to receive his customers and which remains an essential element of the Bugatti legend - it almost felt as if they had never been away. A sense of history surrounds the Château, which is filled with almost a century of Bugatti tradition.
Christophe Piochon, President of Bugatti Automobiles, said: "We are a brand that always goes back to the genius of our founder for inspiration. The most important aspect of a Bugatti for Ettore was that it is incomparable. It must be in a class of its own. Probably nothing brings us closer to Ettore's vision than seeing his creations in the condition in which they left the factory. The original rivets, the paintwork and especially the meticulous construction that made these vehicles and ultimately his success. This collection and the stories of the cars are invaluable and we are honored to welcome them to the home of Bugatti Automobiles. As we move into a new era of Bugatti, these groundbreaking models will serve as our inspiration."
