The Bugatti Trust

The Italian-born industrial designer Ettore Bugatti (1881-1947) made cars that not only won races but were also considered works of art — and are considered among the most desirable automobiles in the world. The Bugatti Trust is home to an extensive collects ion of material celebrating his work, amassed by the mechanical engineer Hugh Graham Conway (1914-89). Conway, a leading Bugatti authority, founded the organization in 1987 with a group of fellow enthusiasts and the Prescott Visitor Centre in Cheltenham opened in 1990 to house his collects ion. It includes 27,000 technical drawings from the original Bugatti factory in Molsheim, France, including sketches by Bugatti himself; more than 10,000 photographs; thousands of documents and correspondence, as well as mechanical components and complete vintage cars. Alongside exhibitions and the permanent display, the museum and study center aims to encourage young engineers and designers and runs outreach and education programs. Prescott is also the home of the Bugatti Owners’ Club and the location of the Speed Hill Climb, one of the world’s most prestigious motor racing venues.