A little known project has finally reached the finish line, after an epic 73-year stall! Jean Bugatti’s last car was incomplete at the time of his death, and for decades, the Mullin Automotive Museum has been completing the process. Now the Type 64 is complete and sans cobwebs. Exotic and classic car restoration is indeed a long process, but 73 years is simply ridiculous…a convertible top may decompose faster.

Legendary automotive designer Jean Bugatti died in a road test crash in 1939. Above is the 1939 Type 64 coupe body he was waiting for at the time of his death.

The car, chassis number 64002, is a Type 64 coupe. Two teams were designated to the task of finishing Jean’s Bugatti, including Stewart Reed Design of Pasadena and Automobile Metal Shaping Co. of Michigan. How did they guess what the famed auto designer would have wanted? They were armed with incomplete sketches Bugatti left behind. One thing is certain, Bugatti cars maintain value and change hands for incredible sums of money!

The Mullin museum preserves French art and automobiles from the Art Deco era

This is one of just two existing type 64 chassis–there were just 3 produced.

The body is hand-formed and incorporates the same coach building techniques used in 1939, for the authentic effect. The iconic riveted body structure displays attention to detail and an original look and feel. Want to see the first rollout of the fabled and now finished slice of history? It will be at a motorsports show called the Quail on August 17th in Carmel, California, just prior to Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.

Finished type 64

The seemingly forgotten slice of Bugatti history

Jean Bugatti and his 1932 Type 41 Royale

Following the brief stint of publicity, the car will be shuttled back to the museum, where it will remain on display.

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