A torch hung in front of the radiator of the first car. A symbol of rebirth. When on 15 September 1990 exactly 77 pre-war Bugatti cars drove from Molsheim to Campogalliano, it was more than just an excursion.
Not many race circuits enjoy as close a bond with Bugatti as Targa Florio. The French manufacturer achieved five victories there. And now the new Divo* and a Bugatti Type 35 are going head-to-head for the very first time on the historic track.
He simply adored Bugatti: Fritz Schlumpf had to own as many of the 30 vehicles as possible because he wanted to use them as a basis for establishing the biggest Bugatti collection in existence.
With the Type 41 Royale, in 1926, Bugatti presented the strongest, largest and most luxurious automobile in the world, characterized by unimaginable power and opulent equipment. For Ettore Bugatti, the Royale was the culmination of his creation.
Everytime one of the striking Bugatti vehicles took its place at the starting line of a race in the 1920s, the spectators could be sure of one thing: This car was going to take the lead.
