**** Collection Schlumpf - Part1. The Bugatti's **** (Big file!)

[Colin]

As an antidote to the short days of western Europe at this time of year, I spent last Sunday at what is now called the "Cite de l'Automobile", also known as the "Musee Nationale de l'Automobile - collection Schlumpf". What an absolute stunner this place is. Unquestionnably one of the most impressive auto collections anywhere in the world.

I took 183 pictures, which is rather a lot to put in one thread, so I am putting all the Bugatti stuff here, and will create a separate thread for everything else.

It is for Bugattis that Schlumpf is really famous. The brothers were secretly buying up as many cars as they could and storing them in the old mill warehouse in Mulhouse, until they went bankrupt, and the workers broke in and discovered an absolute treasure trove. The collection is now part of the "patrimonie" of France, and has been augmented still further.

The main part of the collection is arranged down several lines, ordered roughly chronologically, well spaced out, and with ample lighting. There is a separate, and rather less well lit hall for the really valuable stuff, called "les grands oeuvres". This is where 2 of the world's Bugatti Royales can be found, along with several other Bugatti, and various Rolls Royces, Hispano Suiza, Isotta Fraschini. Not content with 2 x Bugatti Royale, there is a third example, actually created in 1990... that is on display outside the main hall and was one of the first cars I came to.





The other 2 Royales are rather more dimly lit, so apologies that these photos are a little on the dark side. Look carefully at the rather brash interior of one of them, too.









There were some other Bugattis in this hall as well, including these:







Also in a special display area were a series of Type 57s........ just savour these:











Yet another display hall is all about the Schlumpf brothers, and this contains just a small number of cars, including one of the Type 35s:



 

One of the other special display areas is a "racing" section. Among many highlights are a line of racing blue Bugattis, mainly Type 35s. What an impressive sight this is:















One of the more unusual items is the Type 32, known colloquially as "The Tank"



Otherwise, there are just Bugattis everywhere you look. Some are more familiar than others. I did not write down all the Types (shame on me), so just enjoy the pictures.







This one is a Type 43, I think



And I am pretty sure this is a Type 44



























Some of the more unusual cars were the very late models.



The green one here is actually a 1951 body on a pre-war Type 57.



The very last Bugatti before they ceased production.



A couple of Type 101s:







Bringing the story bang up to date, there is, of course a Veyron, resplendent on a turntable, and looking very much like the worthy successor to the fabulous machines of an earlier age.

[the Teuton]

Holy....god...wow...

[Soup DeVille]

The Royales were the Esders roadster, the Berline d'Voyage, and the Coupe Napolean?

[cawimmer430]

Nice, nice, nice! 

[Tave]

Is it just me, or does this:



remind one of the front end of this:



No?

Were there any EBs in the museum?

[Yawn]

Its unfortunate that arent a wider selection of Bugatti's on the market today.