Unraveling the Elephantesque Tale of a 1936 Bugatti and Its Extraordinary Circus Legacy

Imagine a world where the epitome of luxury meets the pinnacle of showmanship - this is the story of a 1936 Bugatti Type 57 Ventoux, a vehicle that transcends the boundaries of automotive history and enters the realm of circus legend. Renowned not only for its breathtaking design and unmatched engineering but also for its role as a promotional vehicle for none other than a baby elephant, this Bugatti redefines the concept of a collector's dream.

Owned by Roger Spiessert, a passionate Bugatti aficionado and the director of Circus Pinder, the car served as a moving billboard advertising the circus, potentially with a baby elephant in the passenger seat. While this image challenges belief, it highlights the lengths to which Spiessert went to promote his circus, all the while emphasizing the Bugatti's remarkable versatility and luxury.

Crafted with a polished black exterior, a red leather interior, and distinctive 'tobacco' carpeting, the Bugatti boasted custom features that paid homage to Spiessert's profession as a circus tamer, including a captivating prancing elephant mascot, adding a touch of whimsy to its elegance. The car's design was meticulously thought out, from its no front or rear bumpers to the specialized luggage carrier, designed for the utmost in style and functionality.

Delivered to Spiessert in February 1936, the Bugatti quickly became more than a mode of transport; it was a statement. Despite the absence of photographic evidence of the elephant rides, the car's legend grew, fueled by images of Spiessert with lion and cheetah cubs, illustrating his deep connection with the animal kingdom and the extravagant life of circus professionals.

However, the tale of this extraordinary vehicle doesn't end with its circus days. Over the years, the Bugatti passed through the hands of six owners, eventually spending a decade abandoned in Paris before finding its way to the United States in the 1950s. The journey of this Type 57 from the glitz and glamour of the circus to its current state of needing tender, loving care is a testament to its resilience and the impermanence of fame and fortune.

The car awaits its next chapter, resting in the hands of an owner determined to restore it to its former glory. With its lineage, unique history, and the promise of revival, the 1936 Bugatti Type 57 Ventoux embodies the spirit of adventure, the allure of the exotic, and the enduring legacy of one man's love for speed and spectacle.

The auction for this masterpiece draws to a close, beckoning those who dream of breathing new life into a car that once drove around with a baby elephant, making it, arguably, the most whimsically luxurious promotional vehicle of its time.