“1937 BUGATTI TYPE 57/59 ROADSTER SUPERSPORT” 

DESIGNER:   DAVE HOLLS                                                     

COACHBUILDER: PALMER COACHWORKS

 CHASSIS:   TYPE 59 WIDENED 5” BUGATTI TRUST SANCTIONED #BC 128    

WHEELBASE:                 102 ¼” FT TREAD 55 ¼” REAR 55”

 ENGINE: 3.3 LITRE 8 CYLINDER D.O.H.C. DRY SUMP. ROOTS SUPERCHARGE TYPE 57#453. IGN VERTEX MAG.                 

 WEIGHT:  APPROX 750 KG-1, 600 LBS.

BODY:               .063 HAND FORMED ALUMINUM

FENDERS:          .090 HAND FORMED ALUMINUM

HORSE: 217.8 H.P. AT 6,000 RPM                                   

TRANS: 4 SPEED BUGATTI #73

POWER:            ENGINE BUILD & DYNO’ BY PHIL REILLY & CO.                                  

STEERING:        LEFT HAND, FOR WORLD SALES

       This design study of what Jean Bugatti might have built, had not fate intervened, Jean being killed testing The Le Mans winner of 1939.

             Mr. Dave Holls designed this car in the early 80’s as a car that could be sold around the world with left hand drive and fenders etc; being financed by Mr. Bob Shaw who was involved in the Shakespeare Bugatti collection, going to the Schlumpf collection.

             Ron Kellogg had talked to Mr. Shaw about the rendering of this special Bugatti, that was being built in the 80’s.  Upon finding that project had been put on hold; the Kellogg’s flew to Scottsdale and purchased the project in October 1997 from Mr. Shaw.

            Mr. Chuck Rahn continued work on the car as he had for Mr. Shaw, the design of Dave Holls was just stunning, and everyone was kept on the project, with Dave Holls, Chuck Rahn, and various others as needed (see Auto-Aficionado Sept/Oct 2005 #3 for further details).

            Once the car was ready for the body and other work, it was sent in July 2002 to Palmer Coachworks in Bellflower, California.  Andy Palmer and Mr. Kellogg have much the same feelings on design, Art-Deco and the look of cars from the Golden Age of Motoring.  Andy had saved many exotic cars over the years, repairing cars for people who did not want anyone knowing the vehicles had been saved from the scrap yards of America.

            Here was a Bugatti project that could show what Andy Palmer could build and get full credit for this project and proudly be shown to the world, with both Dave Holls and Andy Palmer’s signature on the I.D. badge.  Here is a masterpiece, by those who are in a position to know; I believe it will be a standard by which all others of it’s kind are judged.

             This is true whether the creation be a Taj-Mahal, a Gretain Vase, a Rene Lalique, a Rembrandt or a Bugatti.

             Over the last eight years, it has taken this one-off Bugatti to come to life, and all those involved along the way.  Andy Palmer must be given the lion’s share of credit, to this innovative classic; it perpetuates the exclusive E.B. tradition and E.B. style.

             Thanks to the Bugatti Owners Club of England for it’s great help on B/P’s and parts as needed, and to all those involved big or small in the build; but without Andy Palmer Coachworks, there is no doubt this masterpiece of Art would of never come to being.

 Ronald and Sonya Kellogg

Featured at "The Quail of Sportsman's Gathering" August 19, 2005 Carmel, CA

In the Garage

In the beginning