1936 Bugatti Type 57 Two-Light Ventoux Coupe

This Bugatti Type 57 was assembled in November 1936 and fitted with engine number 350. It was the last of six Type 57 chassis to be clothed with the Two-Light Ventoux coachwork. The original colors were Bleu Foncé (Dark Blue) with Havana leather and beige carpeting. This body style was the creation of Jean Bugatti and was constructed at the Molsheim factory. Design elements include the raked windscreen, blind rear quarter, and flowing lines.

The car was delivered to Quicray, the official Bugatti agent at the Place de la Gare in Clermont, France, in December 1936. The first owner was Eugene Labeque of Cramoisy who sold it in 1939 to its next recorded owner, Marcel Dony of Paris. In 1956, it entered the care of Gaston Docime of Neuilly-sur-Seine, selling it a year later to Belgian Bugatti dealer Jean De Dobbeleer. In 1957, it was sold to Lyman Greenlee of Anderson, Indiana, who passed it on to Jack Doney of San Jose, California. Mr. Doney would retain the car for twenty-five years and had it repainted in bright blue with red wheels. Two additional California owners would care for it before it was acquired by Don Stephan, who drove the Ventoux in the International Bugatti Rally held in Grafton, Vermont.

The car entered its current ownership in 2001. It was soon entrusted to Colour Restorations in Loveland, Colorado, where it was finished in a two-tone dark blue and black paint scheme. The original, matching numbers engine was sent to Jim Stranberg at High Mountain Classics for a complete rebuild. Mechanical items were updated as needed, but the interior has remained completely unrestored, including the upholstery, trim, and instrumentation.

The car has been shown at the 2009 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.

By Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2019