1933 Bugatti Type 59 Boattail Grand Prix Racer

This Bugatti Type 59 was driven by Rene Dreyfus for the factory at five major Grand Prix events during the 1934 season, winning the Belgian Grand Prix and a commendable third place at the Swiss Grand Prix the following month. Aristocratic amateur racer Brian Lewis became the car's custodian in 1935, and he continued its racing exploits, running the car at Brooklands, the Isle of Man, Reims and Dieppe. Jack Lemon Burton purchased the car in 1937 before selling it to Ian Craig, who drove the car, painted in a striking combination of cream and black, at the Prescott Hill Climb as well as at British speed events at Brighton and Poole. During the early postwar years, this Type 59 was owned by Rodney Clarke, who drove it at Prescott and achieved several class wins. In 1952 Clarke sold the car to Francis Ludington in New York, who retained the car for 15 years before passing it to fellow American Dieter Holterbosch.