In 1986, I was 21 years old. One day, in “Stern”, I read a preview publication of the first photos from the book “Sleeping Beauties” by Herbert W. Hesselmann and Halwart Schrader. It was a story about an enchanted estate full of automotive rarities that had slept undisturbed and undiscovered in a garden for decades.
Encountering this story moved and motivated me for the long term.
One of the highlights on the property was the Bugatti 57 SC Atalante, chassis number 57542, one of only two supercharged cars ever built, in unrestored original condition. Exactly 20 years later, in the summer of 2005, I encountered this car again – this time in person.
Paul Grist was close to completing a fantastic and very careful restoration of the car. Paul managed to preserve the complete original interior and repainted the car in a period-correct nitrocellulose finish. The owner was willing to sell, and I was able to inspire one of my clients to acquire this masterpiece. The Bugatti 57 SC remains in his possession to this day.
Paul, you did a fantastic job! Thank you!
