1939 Bugatti Type 57C Aravis Special Cabriolet by Gangloff

Ordered through local dealer J.B. Arnaud in autumn 1938 with bespoke specifications; enjoyed the car only briefly before wartime service, imprisonment, and internment at Buchenwald, though the car survived intact until their reunion in May 1945.

Purchased via the original selling dealer J.B. Arnaud in Bordeaux.

Hotelier, restaurateur, and amateur racing driver based in Glarus, Switzerland; also a financial backer of the postwar Veritas concern. Period photographs confirm he used the car in amateur hillclimb events with original bodywork intact.

Geneva-based obstetrician and committed Bugatti collector who owned at least three examples. A documented incident in October 1951 caused front fender damage but did not end his ownership.

Geneva-based collector who had coachbuilder Graber fit a solid steel roof, converting the cabriolet to a fixed-head coupe, and had the car refinished in two-tone red and black over maroon leather. The car remained on static display in his collection for roughly 25 years.

Cherry Hill, New Jersey collector; one of two brief American custodians following export from Switzerland in 1984. Described as deceased at time of cataloguing.

Bedford, New York collector; second brief American custodian before the car passed to Oscar Davis. Described as deceased at time of cataloguing.

Undertook thorough historical research and commissioned a comprehensive seven-year restoration completed around 2001, returning the car to its original 1939 open cabriolet configuration including reversal of the Graber steel-roof modification.

Multiple amateur hillclimb appearances in Switzerland during Trümpy's ownership circa 1947–1951; period photographs confirm the car was driven vigorously with original bodywork still present.

Front driver's side fender sustained damage in an incident involving the car during Turrettini's ownership.

Documented by dated photographs on file.

Coachbuilder Graber fitted a solid steel roof to the existing open body, transforming the Aravis cabriolet into a fixed-head coupé. The car was also repainted in a two-tone red and black scheme with a maroon leather interior.

Commissioned by Pierre Strinati; work was later reversed during the Davis restoration.

Full bodywork restoration by a specialist coachwork shop to return the car to its original 1939 open cabriolet form; Graber's hardtop conversion was reversed, new timber framing was fitted throughout, and missing details such as split bumpers and spats were addressed.

Photographic documentation of disassembly and body restoration was compiled in a binder. Workshop located in Elizabeth, New Jersey.

The 3.3-litre twin-cam straight-eight engine was fully rebuilt and its supercharger reinstated to restore the drivetrain to original specification; the complete running chassis was also refurbished concurrently.

Workshop in Lahaska, Pennsylvania. Registry records indicate this engine had previously been fitted to a 1937 Type 57C Stelvio (chassis 57619).

Seven-year comprehensive restoration concluded; exterior refinished in a deep dark shade matching original livery, paired with red leather interior, black soft top, and chrome Borrani wire wheels.

Both bodywork and mechanical restoration strands were completed by this date.