GrEaT CaRs

There is no doubt in my mind that a car can be a work of art, and even more so when there is an individual behind it.Most people identify with men like Enzo Fer­rari, W.O. Bentley, Ettore Bugatti - they all started with nothing and stuck passionately to their indi­vidual vision. It shows in their work.The Bugatti is a perfect example. Made by an Ital­ian family of artists and sculptors, the Bugatti cars still take the breath away. Ettore Bugatti received classical art instruction, then taught himself engi­neering and began building racing cars.Aesthetics seemed to be as important to him as technology. His cars have boldly styled bodies, and even the engines look like modern sculptures. The Antlantique was designed by his son Jean in 1936, but as it nears age 60 it still looks as futuristic as ever. Jean Bugatti was killed in a car crash and his father lost his business during the war, but their artistic cars remain as their legacy.Now cars are sold at auction just like works of art, and the prices they command are getting higher and higher. As they become expensive antiques I hope all of them don't get taken off the road. It would be sad to see them all locked up in large storage vaults or glass cases - after all, they were designed to be driven.