Photography by Matt Davis
Destinations: The Molsheim Experience
April 1, 2006
A bite at the drive-through is also an option. About the time in 2000 that
renovations started on the estate and planning was fully under way for
the new
Bugatti facilities, McDonald’s secured zoning rights for a new
restaurant
directly across from Bugatti on rue St. Jean. Local
government attempted to
rescind the deed, but it was too late, and in
its defense, Mickey D’s does
provide several jobs for the locals. As a
partial compromise, the Molsheim and
Dorlisheim town councils agreed to
construct a hillock down the center of rue
St. Jean that effectively
blocks the view of the shopping mall across the street
from the château
buildings. All passing street traffic must drive over this new
15-foot
mound. In Molsheim, there is a thin line between proletariat and
potentate.
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Château St.
Jean sits in stately contrast to the ubiquitous dining found just outside
the estate, or even the modern atelier. (Click images to enlarge)
Over the next few years, planning should ramp up for the next Bugatti, which is rumored to be called Rembrandt for Ettore’s younger artist brother who committed suicide in 1916. It is a front mid-engine 2+2 GT that may use either a version of the W16 engine or, more likely, an adapted version of the VW W8 design. That means that at a possible 2,000 units per year, the next phase of construction will surely take up all or most of the currently empty space around the atelier, providing more work for the locals.
The comparatively mass-produced Bugatti will also provide more reasons to visit this humble eastern outpost near the old Maginot Line and to enjoy the superb cross-cultural comfort food and wine. Some of the local restaurants will even let you supersize your meals, for a nominal fee.
Bugatti Automobiles S.A.S., www.bugatti-cars.de
BUGATTI COCKTAIL TRIVIA
Ettore Bugatti first left Milan, Italy, in 1902 to live in the present-day département of Bas-Rhin (Lower Rhine) in the Alsace, when the area was still part of Germany. With the backing of local financier Pierre de Vizcaya, in 1909 Bugatti set up shop in an old dyeing works just to the south in Molsheim and there built his first series of 10 cars.
Signor/Monsieur/Herr Bugatti never lived on the grounds of Château St. Jean, where the reborn company is located.
Bugatti’s father, Carlo, lived his final few years in the château, until his passing in April 1940.
Previously, no Bugatti car was ever built here. Instead, the maestro and his workshops were about 1,500 feet closer to Molsheim along rue St. Jean, where today the firm of Messier-Bugatti builds cutting-edge landing gear for modern jet aircraft.
In 1928, Bugatti bought the estate of Château St. Jean, which was built in 1857. He used it to house two stables of horses, to keep his exotic plants in the orangerie he added, and to receive clients and hold gatherings in the main building.
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