1938 Bugatti Type 57S

Initial delivery point for the chassis prior to retail sale in England.

Oxshott-based buyer who commissioned a closed coupe body from Corsica coachbuilders and retained the car through the Second World War.

Acquired the car from the first owner; it subsequently changed hands twice more within roughly a year.

Leading Type 57S engineer who undertook a comprehensive mechanical and body rebuild, debuting the car at Thruxton in October 1968; parted with it in 1972.

Kept the car for roughly a decade with limited public exposure or event participation.

Commissioned new coachwork inspired by the Col. Gilles Corsica Roadster, built by Jack Buddey, incorporating Gangloff-style tail and fenders.

Long-term collector who later sourced and acquired the numbers-matching spare engine, its crankcase stamped with the chassis identifier, reuniting it with the car.

One of two unnamed parties through whom the car passed between Clark and Richmond, circa 1948–1949.

Second of two unnamed parties through whom the car passed before reaching Richmond, circa 1948–1949.

Owned the car when it suffered chassis damage in a 1952 road incident; after a fire damaged the stored parts around 1964, he transferred the remains to a specialist for rebuilding.

Debut appearance of the freshly rebuilt car, presented without paint, following Symondson's extensive mechanical and bodywork restoration.

Corsica coachbuilders constructed a closed coupé body for the chassis, visually reminiscent of the Jean Bugatti-designed Atlantic.

Following a road accident that bent the chassis, the car was dismantled and the parts placed in storage pending a future rebuild.

Damage was compounded around 1964 when fire broke out in the building where the components were being kept.

A new body inspired by the Corsica Roadster design attributed to Col. Gilles was built and fitted, incorporating Gangloff-style tail and fenders to distinguish it from the reference car.

Work was commissioned by Brian Classic following his acquisition of the car.

Ronnie Symondson carried out a comprehensive rebuild: the chassis was straightened, a factory-supplied front crossmember replaced the damaged original, and a period-correct crankcase stamped '3S' sourced from chassis 57375 was fitted with an unused factory cylinder block and a Le Mans-type crankshaft. Modern coil ignition, Hepolite pistons at 9:1 compression, new timing gears, engine mountings, transmission gears, and shafts were installed, along with a rare Bugatti carburettor replacing the original Stromberg units. Hydraulic brakes, a 3.66 rear axle, and a replacement radiator were also fitted.

Work was substantially complete by October 1968 when the car debuted at Thruxton, though it was still unpainted at that point.

Wakefields & Sons constructed an entirely new body in a late-1960s contemporary style, replacing the largely destroyed original Corsica coachwork.

Workshop located in Byfleet, Surrey; body was fitted during Symondson's rebuild tenure.