1928 Bugatti Type 44 Grand Touring 4-seater

According to French Bugatti researcher Pierre Yves Laugier, the car remained in Paris continuously from around 1930 until the mid-1950s. Pre-war photographs of the car during this French ownership period are included in the documentation file.

Re-registered in Paris under this name on 8 March 1952, per information supplied by French Bugatti authority Pierre Yves Laugier in a message dated November 2015.

Believed to be the husband of the prior registered keeper; ownership transferred on 3 June 1953. At some point the car sustained frontal damage and was returned to the Molsheim factory, possibly for parts salvage, before being cannibalised to assist the Schlumpf Collection restoration.

The stripped and damaged remains were held at the Bugatti factory at Molsheim for an extended period; the engine, both axles, and radiator had been removed, largely to support work on the Schlumpf Collection.

Purchased directly from the Molsheim factory alongside a redundant spares consignment; a contemporaneous purchase invoice on Messier-Hispano-Bugatti headed paper made out to Conway survives. He undertook a six-year restoration completed by May 1984, rebuilt in central London with specialist assistance, and drove the car extensively across the UK, Europe, Japan, and the USA until his passing.

Son of Hugh G Conway and Chairman of the Bugatti Trust until 2023; used the car regularly at international events including the 2019 Bugatti Rally USA, and maintained detailed handwritten journey logs. The car was latterly in storage with him and subsequently at Gentry Restorations.

HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, inspected the car when he formally opened the Bugatti Trust facility at Prescott; a colour photograph of this occasion is retained in the car's documentation file.

The car was driven coast-to-coast across the United States in 2019, covering approximately 6,100 miles in total; Hugh Conway and his wife Annette collected the car before joining the festival.

Participated as part of the broader 2019 US tour covering around 6,100 miles.

One of several continental rallies attended by the car during its Conway family ownership period.

Attended as part of the car's regular international rally programme under Conway family ownership.

The car was retrieved from the Molsheim factory in a heavily stripped and damaged state; initial assessment confirmed the chassis required front-end straightening, while the engine, both axles, and radiator were entirely absent.

Only the gearbox (number 820, confirmed original to the chassis) remained with the car at acquisition.

The front frame was straightened and missing mechanical components were sourced: a spare front axle from Conway's own stock, a rear axle obtained from a French breaker's yard, and a new radiator fabricated by Marston's. Period wire wheels were also acquired.

A Type 49 crankcase was obtained by exchanging a Type 35 crankcase with fellow Bugattiste Henri Novo (the donor was ex-chassis 49434). Type 37 cylinder blocks were rebored to 69.5 mm to take factory-specification pistons from the Molsheim spares stock.

Exterior paintwork completed and original mudguards and running boards fitted to the restored body.

The rebuilt car was started for the first time by tow; engine tuning and refinement continued over subsequent months to meet the owner's standards.

This marked the conclusion of the mechanical rebuild phase, roughly four and a half years after acquisition.

Owner declared the full restoration project complete to his satisfaction by May 1984, and the car was registered with the period-appropriate UK number DS 6609 following a successful MoT inspection.

UK registration DS 6609 was assigned at this point; the total rebuild process spanned approximately six years.

The car was placed on display at the Bugatti Trust, Prescott, for approximately 24 weeks before being returned to the family.

The original steel-clad four-seat body was restored, with original mudguards and running boards refitted.

H&H Coachworks was located at Goring in the Thames Valley. In early 1981 the car was passed to specialist Barry Price for painting.

Interior upholstery and cabin trim completed.

Carried out after the engine had been brought to the required standard.

The car was placed in long-term storage, latterly with Gentry Restorations, and will require recommissioning before it can be used on the road.

A condition report by Mark Morris is available on request.