$40M Bugatti cars highlight Wine & Food Festival
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. » The Sept. 7-9 Saratoga Wine and Food Festival will include the convergence of 80 luxury Bugatti automobiles arriving from all parts of the world.
Their visit is part of the International Bugatti Tour, an exclusive one-week rally, which is coming to the U.S. for the first time in a decade.
It is also the tour’s first-ever stop in New York state.
Cars will be displayed around Saratoga Spa State Park’s reflecting pools for a “Bugatti Ballet.”
The cars range from a pair of 1936 Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantics, each worth more than $40 million, to newer models including the Chiron and Veyron, which have been driven by celebrities such as Tom Cruise in “Mission Impossible 3,” in addition to Jay-Z, Jay Leno and Ralph Lauren.
Lauren owns one of the Atlantics. The other belongs to Mullin Automotive Museum in Oxford, Ca.
This is the first time they’ll be displayed together since the 2003 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in California.
Their appearance has been made possible by the American Bugatti Club and Alan Rosenblum, Saratoga Automobile Museum board member.
Considered the “Mona Lisa” of automobiles, the Type 57SC Atlantic is considered among the very best of pre-war Europe. Jean Bugatti, the son of Bugatti founder Ettore Bugatti, created the Aérolithe concept, making its debut in Paris in 1935.
It was well-before its time, made out of a light but flammable magnesium alloy called Elektron. Therefore the body panels were riveted externally.
Beneath the body was a new chassis (T57) and a new double overhead-cam engine, making the Aérolithe the most advanced car of its time. After the Aérolithe show car, Bugatti only produced four supercharged Atlantic coupes using aluminum instead of magnesium while keeping the rivets. Powered by supercharged 3,257 cc inline-8 engines, these 170-plus horsepower cars could do north of 120 m.p.h.
The Atlantics owned by Lauren and the Mullin museum are the only two left.
“Having these two Bugatti Atlantics together for the first time in 15 years is truly an incredible opportunity for not just Saratoga Springs, but for all of New York state,” said Carly Connors, Saratoga Automobile Museum executive director.
The Wine and Food Festival is a primary fundraiser for Saratoga Performing Arts Center.
A Bugatti exhibit debut cocktail party, featuring the two Atlantics, is scheduled for 6- p.m. Wednesday.
A Bugatti “Evening of Elegancy” is set for 6-9 p.m. Thursday.
On Friday, an Adirondack Road Tour will start at 10 a.m., concluding with lunch at the historic Lake George Club.
The festival continues at SPAC on Friday evening, Saturday and Sunday. The schedule includes: FRIDAY • (7-10 p.m.): Fired Up! grill competition featuring special guests, celebrity chef David Burke and former Boston Red Sox great David Ortiz. Chefs from the Capital Region’s finest restaurants will battle it out for the Fired Up! title as guests enjoy music, gourmet food, BBQ, a cold refreshing Stella Artois, wines and spirits.
• David Ortiz Meet and Greet (7 p.m.-7:50 p.m.): During the Friday night event, Ortiz will host a meet-and-greet for 100 people who will have their pictures taken individually with the baseball hero and receive a signed promotional photograph. A portion of proceeds will benefit the David Ortiz Children’s Fund, a charity which funds pediatric services for children in New England and the Dominican Republic.
• Party with Big Papi in VIP Nightclub (8:30 p.m.-10 p.m.): Following the private meet and greet, Ortiz will host a VIP experience overlooking the Spa State Park reflecting pool. Guests will have an opportunity to mingle with the baseball legend. SATURDAY • (Noon-4 p.m.): Grand Tasting including a Bugatti auto display, curated food, wine, events and activities. The main stage will host speeches, special guest appearances, live music and an Iron Chef-styled competition featuring David Burke, a James Beard Award-winning chef. SUNDAY • (11 a.m.-3 p.m.): Brunch with Colin Cowie and celebrity chef Todd English, who will cohost a lively brunch showcasing Colin’s “five-senses” approach to events that include custom scent consultations, floral and table design examples, lively music by On The Move, and a menu with delectable bites and cocktails.
For information and tickets, go to: spac.org.