Lately we have been seeing on Facebook, as well as on auction websites and websites selling "Art" an increasing number of images which were made using Artificial Intelligence. I hope to disclose here why we should never use these. In fact, we should never even consider making them!
In this article, all AI generated images are clearly marked as such. This explicitly to prevent that with this article I am only increasing the problem....
There's various categories where Artificial Intelligence is used:
AI generated seemingly original period photographs
On closer inspection, there are lots of details that just aren't right:
A different useage for AI is where it is used to clean-up an original photo. Seemingly an innocent action, but also here AI may generate some changes in the image, where the original, though of worse quality, was more correct.
Logically, the danger is enormous that at some time in the future these completely fabricated images or just "corrected" images are seen as being the truth. Possibly not for the long-time Bugatti-enthusiast, but it poses a giant risk for the young enthusiast who starts to become interested in the marque.
AI generated blueprint drawings
Above right: This is the worst AI work I have seen (by Shmidt-Art), according to the text it should be a 1901 Type 2, which is the Gulinelli car. The design is however much more modern, it's a small 1920's car, in no way a Bugatti. The only thing which is correct is the chain drive..
On the right: a "Bugatti Type 35 Codex". Sold as if it were an Archive document. Most of the text is Ok, but the images are not. Of course, to start with, the photo is not of Ettore Bugatti, but of some unknown person (anybody recognize him?). The images of the details (1-6) all seem to be from a shipyard or so, not a lightweight racing car. How anybody is able to make this, and consequently even tries to sell this rubbish keeps me entirely puzzled...
AI produced modern-day photographs which seem plausible
On the right, also by Paul Moll, a playful Bugatti golf cart. Modern interpretation of a Type 56?
AI generated art
The one on the right is by "Fransman" (1972) and was offered on auction website Catawiki many times, maybe 10 times or more. However, in the text no reference was given to it being an AI generated picture. Which it obviously is , it has all the clear signs, for the car at least (note that, again, there's only some blur on the radiator emblem, not the name Bugatti). Best looking is the lady.. This was one of the first instances that I got annoyed with AI, and I contacted Catawiki many times, and did get a reaction, but the listing was never retracted, and the "Art" was in fact sold for considerably more than what it is worth... Catawiki earning their 25% from it.
And to end this article with something I had ChatGPT make for me, back in 2024. The images since have improved. I just gave AI the following instruction: "
Theme: Bugatti, Tone: Historical, Content: A classic Bugatti from the 1930s, for example against the backdrop of central Paris." Luckily, this fabrication can never be mistaken for an original image. The spokes aren't even straight! front suspension is not right, and something that most AI fabrications suffer from: they seem to be unable to actually put a Bugatti emblem on the radiator. The shape of which is totally wrong, of course. And.. One of the street lights is just floating in the air...
Concluding: Never play with Artificial Intelligence when dealing with Bugatti! Just do your own, thorough research, for example by reading one of the many books that have been published on the subject, or of course this website or the Bugatti Revue.
August 22, 2026 Artificial: Yes, Intelligent: No, Bugatti: NO
A person calling himself "SuperKar Kato" has been posting loads of these on Facebook. On his own Facebook page these are clearly marked AI-generated, but not when he (or somebody else) copies these to other parts of Facebook. Apart from Bugatti there are many more, of various marques. In most of these, cars are assembled in a seemingly period environment, with mechanics dressed as if they could have worked at Bugatti in the 1920's or 1930's.
Many of the comments below the images when posted on Facebook clearly show that the commenter actually thinks he is looking at an original period photograph.
Various images with alleged "Type 35's".
Various images with alleged "Type 37's". At least these have wire wheels! No steering column though, must be steering by wire?
Bugatti Royale, Type 57 and Type 57S Atlantic! Never knew there were so many made....
Another one by Kato: 80 Abandoned Bugatti's in 1939 in a Monaco Casino Garage. Rows and rows of Bugatti Type 35's and Type 57's. Almost looks realistic..
Also with these drawings, the level of detail, the stains and folds in the paper, falsely indicate that these are original drawings. Of the Royale in the case of the one above. However, looking into the details, it becomes clear that nothing is right. For the above "Bugatti Type 41 Royale" sold by "Kleury-Art", the design of the car itself, the engine and components, steering column on the left, everything is wrong... Though the engine is indicated as a 12.7 liter 8-in-line, the drawings show a V-type engine, a V16 even. And: the radiator mascot has basically a similar shape, but is not an elephant dancing on a ball...
Above left: The drawing of the Atlantic is largely correct, except for the engine. There just is something terribly wrong with the dimensions... A height of 2.7 meters?
Above we see again some work by "SuperKar Kato". It's a museum or luxury dealership setting. A range of Bugattis, including two Atlantics, and even a Royale or Type 46 (with wire wheels..). It all seems quite realistic, and the Type 35 almost had me convinced. Until you start examining the details, the cars just never existed like this. And of course the engine in the background is a V-type, which Bugatti never produced (they only designed one V16 aero engine, the Type 67).
Above: Two versions of almost the same car, probably made by the same "Artist". They are like a cross between an Atlantic and a T57 Atalante, including part of the rivited flanges. Of course, many small details which are wrong. And a nice detail: the one on the right has a door handle on the front AND on the rear of the door. Probably not necessary to say that no such car was ever designed or produced.
Above left: Very atmospheric image. It's indicated to be a 1935 Bugatti T57 Galibier. Not even a slight resemblance.. Something's wrong with the headlights also..
Above right: Indicated as a 1957 Bugatti Type 252. From "Old Car's Garage". No resemblance at all...
The above images are by Paul Moll AI Automotive Art. No doubt from the artist if these are AI generated or not. The one on the right obviously the more modern interpretation of the one on the left, at first glance a Type 57 Ventoux. On closer inspection, also the Ventoux is AI generated, though of rather good quality. The four hinges on the door seem a bit too much, and there are other details as well which are not correct. 
One last example, here the image of the Type 46 has not been changed, just the background. Both come from the Vintage And Prestige classic car broker website. Also here, there is still a danger of the altered picture to be seen as an original at one point in the future. The factory never existed in this shape and with these titles.
As I had announced, there is AI generated art. As these are pieces of artwork, they usually do not pretend to give a complete and correct image of the car depicted. The one above is by Jan Keteleer, titled: "1938 Bugatti 57C Atlantic in the Oldtimer Garage".
The one on the left is also by Jan Keteleer, titled "Bugatti Phoenix Vintage Rennwagen". There's actually almost nothing connecting this "car" with anything Bugatti ever made.
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11-9-2026