The number of the beast
HAD AN EXCHANGE with someone the other day who was adamant that the modern incarnation of Bugatti bears so little relation to the original that it shouldn’t be allowed to exist, whether under the guardianship of Romano Artioli, VAG, Rimac or anyone else. That made me wonder how few of the current motor manufacturers would exist (or how long any of the now-defunct British marques would have lasted) if you applied the same criteria to them. Then it made me realise that, even ignoring a few interim attempts to revive the dormant brand, Bugatti in its modern guise has been alive and kicking (with gaps) for longer than the original family-run business was moribund after fizzling out in 1952. Indeed, modern Bugatti has now been churning out road cars for only…