Bugatti: The Thoroughbred of Automobiles
June 7, 2005- October 16, 2005


An unprecedented and amazing collection of the finest and most beautiful
cars ever built is making an exclusive appearance at the Saratoga Automobile
Museum this summer.


As the most comprehensive Museum exhibit of vintage Bugatti automobiles in
decades, this collection includes as the piece de resistance, the Pebble
Beach Concours, Best of Show-winning Type 57SC Atlantic owned by renowned
Bugatti collector, Dr. Peter Williamson.


Bugatti's automobiles were known for their speed, handling, engineering
ingenuity and eccentricity.  They ranged from petite racing machines like
the Type 35 Grand Prix car, which was virtually unbeatable in Europe during
the 1920's, to the magnificent and massive Type 41, La Royale, destined for
the very wealthy, of which only six examples were built.


Ettore Bugatti was an artistic Italian engineer who lived in France for most
of his life. His father, Carlo was a renowned furniture constructor, and his
brother Rembrandt, was a noted sculptor whose subjects mainly consisted of
beautifully-crafted animals. Bugatti's small company, located in Molshiem,
Alsace, France, built fewer than 10,000 cars from 1910, until his death in
1947, but, oh, what wonderful cars he created.


Believing that racing improved the Breed, Bugatti actively pursued
competition. They were not inexpensive and they were a challenge to
maintain, but that, and their sheer beauty, only accentuated the cars'
intrinsic charm.


Bugattis cars were raced by the greatest talents of their era, men like Rene
Dreyfus, Louis Chiron, Tazio Nuvolari and Robert Benoist. Two women Bugatti
racers, Madame Elizabeth Junek and Mademoiselle Helle' Nice, advanced the
cause for women racers, and were noted Bugatti pilots.


While Bugatti owners and enthusiasts today include fashion designer Ralph
Lauren, Philadelphia Surgeon Dr. Fred Simeone, noted automobile collectors
like
Miles Collier, Robert E. Petersen, Donald Koleman, and Brian Brunckhorst,
arguably, the finest and most complete Bugatti collection in this country is
owned by Dr. Peter and Susan Williamson, from Lyme, NH., and a selection of
the Williamson Bugattis will be the centerpiece of the Saratoga exhibit.


The star of the exhibit will be the ex-Baron Rothschild Type 57SC Atlantic,
a winner of the coveted Pebble beach, "Best of Show" award. In addition,
cars from the Williamson collection will include:
o       a Type 51 Grand Prix racer
o       a Type 50 Drophead coupe
o       a Type 57SC Atalante, the former London Motor Show and Paris Salon car
o       a Type 57C Galibier saloon the one-of-a-kind, Bugatti-Miller monoposto
o       and an adorable Type 52 Œbaby car.)


While the Williamson cars will comprise the essential core of this exhibit,
additional noted Bugattis planned for display will include:



o       Type 57G Le Mans-winning sports racing roadster (From the Dr. Fred Simeone
Collection)
o       Type 35B Grand Prix racer (ex Mme Helle-Nice) from the Brian Brunckhorst
Collection
o       EB110, from the Bruce Canepa Collection



As an added bonus, we plan to present a few selected works of art from
sculptor Rembrandt Bugatti and art-deco furniture artist and designer, Carlo
Bugatti. If that weren’t enough, we’re in the planning stages developing a
lecture presentation with three Bugatti experts:  engine authority, Donald
Koleman, historian Beverly RaeKimes, and restorer, Paul Russell, moderated
by Ken Gross.


As well, we are making arrangements for an appearance by Miranda Seymour,
Author of “The Bugatti Queen”. Ms. Seymour’s talk would be in conjunction
with an appearance of the ex-Mme Helle-Nice Type 35.


This once in a lifetime extraordinary exhibit will definitely be the
highlight of the summer season, nestled in and amongst fantastic cars in the
“Racing In New York”, “East of Detroit” and the hands-on charm of the
“Sprockets to Rockets Garage”. Don’t miss the opportunity to see this
collection of Classic Cars in a Classic setting in the heart of Saratoga Spa
State Park.
The Saratoga Automobile Museum will be open daily  from 10 am to 5 pm. For
more information, you can also cruise on down to the website at
www.saratogaautomuseum.com .