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British Colonel G. M. Giles was a lucky man. He received the most exclusive Bugatti chassis, the Type 57SC, with a body designed by both his brother Eric Giles and had Jean Bugatti. Corsica of London executed the design on chassis #57593 an the car was driven around England with the registration GU7.

The most striking part the car is the body design which is completely unique to this car. It incorporates pontoon fenders and a cigar body which comes to a unique focal point at the rear. Grey accents run the length of the body and complement the shape of the radiator as well as the sweeping tail.

The rear portion of the body opens completely to reveal a tool kit and spare tire, but there is little room for anything else. By the late forties, the trunklid was altered so that the spare tire could be fitted into it to offer more space but this drastically reduced the car's appeal. Thankfully this addition was was reverted during the car's most recent restoration.

Inside, this Bugatti sports the most exotic of all interiors. Alligator hide is used with varying scale sizes to great effect. At some point a rediculous looking teardrop hardtop was manufactured which looked more like a greenhouse for plants than a roof. This no doubt was made to protect the interior, but definitely distracted from the charm of the design.

John Mozart currently owns the #57593. He drove it thousands of miles before a comprehensive restoration began. Despite not liking the rear parking lights, John voted to keep the car in its original configuration. John took the best of show award at the 2000 Pebble Beach Concours with this car.

Story by Richard Owen for Supercars.net

Designed by Eric Giles for his brother, Col. Godfrey Giles

Designed by Eric Giles for his brother, Col. Godfrey Giles