Donald Koleman is a man who followed his passion in life, literally! In 1984, Koleman made the decision to stop practicing law and focus full-time on auto restoration– specializing in vintage Bugatti restoration. That bold decision led to the beautiful example pictured below, a fully restored Bugatti Type 57C. This would certainly make a fine example in our growing vintage rental car fleet…not that we would allow anyone to touch it!
Fascinatingly, Koleman’s daily driver is a 1995 Mercedes wagon. He is pictured above with the Type 57C.
Koleman was regularly racing a 1927 Bugatti Grand Prix during his off-hours as a young lawyer. Now, 28 years later, he is the owner of Competition Motors in Portsmouth. The 26,000 square foot restoration facility specializes in Bugatti cars, but is also loaded with many other luxury finds, including: Bentley, Aston Martin, Maserati, Rolls Royce, Ferrari and Jaguar.
Two of Koleman’s restored Bugatti cars graced a Ralph Lauren fall fashion shoot…likely overshadowing the clothing line! Above is a Type 57 Selvio.
Recently, the company brought new life to a 1938 Bugatti Type 57C owned by the grandnephew of Napoleon Bonaparte. The relic was given a jewel-like finish and reupholstered with ostrich before being shuttled off to leave spectators at Pebble Beach in awe!
Vintage exotics at Competition Motors:
• 1928 Rolls Royce Phantom I
• 1925 Pickadilly roadster with a Lalique hood ornament
• 1924 Rolls Royce Silver Ghost
• 1948 Lincoln Continental designed by Edsel Ford
• 1962 Triumph TR 3A
• 1954 Jaguar SK 120S
As one might imagine, Koleman owns a variety of automobiles personally, including a 1949 MG CT and a 1929 Model A Ford roadster with a pickup truck bed. While it would seem that he would tool around in a Bugatti as a daily driver, Koleman prefers a 1995 Mercedes-Benz wagon. The world is certainly full of mysteries!
A Bugatti Type 28 at the 1922 London Motor Show!
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Post by Imagine Lifestyles Luxury Rentals