1928 Classic Bugatti Plus a Rant

1928 Bugatti
Photo by Kate Tompkins

As I said in my last post, when we were in Quebec City last fall, my sister and I spotted a classic Bugatti in the courtyard of the Chateau Frontenac. I’m assuming from the license plate that’s it a 1928. I’ve looked online to try and identify the model, but I’m no expert. It’s not like I’ve seen that many Bugattis. The closest match seems to be a 43 or 43A Grand Sport, unless it’s a Tecla 35A with the wheels changed. You can find photos and specs on many classic Bugattis on the Bugatti Trust website.

1928 Bugatti
Photo by Kate Tompkins

We discussed it with the Morgan owner on the tour bus with us. He said it was possible it was a tribute car, but he did know someone associated with the Morgan tour who had a Bugatti. I don’t think it was a clone, not only because of where it was parked (in the courtyard, in a space clearly marked “reserved parking”) but the fact that its parking spot had been roped off, as if it was something special.

A pretty clear indication of “hands off,” you might think. Apparently not, because in the short time we were there, several women hopped over the rope and posed beside the car so their friends could take photos. Some of them even touched it. Grrr. I’m seeing this more and more often at car shows, spectators roaming around and posing with their hand on the door handle or the mirror, etc. Do they not know any better (it’s easy to scratch paint with a button or belt buckle, and the oil on our hands ruins the polishing job) or do they just not care? Grrr.

1928 Bugatti
Photo by Kate Tompkins

Unfortunately, my best photo has three of these culprits in it, so I’ve cropped and fuzzed to protect the guilty.

Sweet car, though.