Yes, I'm still alive.

Johan Buchner · **Posted:** Mon May 10, 2010 12:10 pm

Dear Friends

I have been away from this forum for so long I received an enquiry from a respected historian as to whether my book collection might be up for sale. No Sir it's not, but perhaps a brief explanation is called for :

Some of you may recall I left when my love-life blossomed into a fully fledged sin-fest and for a few precious months I was happy and in love ................. and then my money ran out. And then I was alone again, thank God. So be it. But even before my Indian Summer of Love I had already succeeded in damn near destroying Bugatti for myself - you see Dear Reader I made a most elementary mistake, I started to take myself way too seriously and it just killed the fun stone-dead. Note to self : "I am a moron."

Can you believe I got my knickers in a twist over the Register? Completely ignoring the many, many totally correct entries I waded through Wiki muttering "And even though I Walk in the Valley of Darkness ...." all the while fearing the Truth Shall Die. Whether it will or it wont one thing is sure, no matter how much I worry I'm not in a position to change the outcome. And worrying about things one cannot change is futile, trust me, it sucks all the fun out of it.

Another mistake I made is to spend too much time obsessing about buying books and not nearly enough time just enjoying them. And when I say "enjoying" I mean I look at the pictures and dream a little. Did you know that the Royale gives better day-dreams than a T50 but not as good as the T57S? Odd, but true.

So now I find myself at a cross-roads; how do I stay a "Valued Contributor" but still enjoy myself? As soon as I have the answer I will let you know. In the mean time to the gentleman enquiring about the odd T49 radiator : I do not have a clue. Although I believe a T49 exported to Tunisia was fitted with a bigger radi.................. Stop Johan, just stop - please. Let the real historians get involved, this amateur is tired of pretending.

Kind Regards
Johan Buchner
Republic of South Africa

J.J.Horst · **Posted:** Mon May 10, 2010 1:59 pm

Johan,

You are more than welcome without giving factual information; just your sharp, sometimes ironical, maybe cynical but alwasy serious :mrgreen:

remarks are much missed!

And, there are many historians here, they make mistakes, just as if they were ordinary people.

And you are right; the fun is most important! If you have an Erik Koux or an ex-Williamson Atlantic, the pleasure while driving or looking at it is for 98% the same. We can quarrel about replica's forever; but the fun of driving around in Ettore's (and Jean's) designs is what it is all about!

Herman · **Posted:** Mon May 10, 2010 2:28 pm

Welcome back buddy. Enjoy life, enjoy Bugattis.

Johan Buchner · **Posted:** Mon May 10, 2010 4:34 pm

Thanks Jaap and Herman.

I agree with you about replicas Jaap, a well-made replica may not have the history of a Molsheim built car (as a rule) but I do believe it will still give you access to the soul of Ettore or at least something close to it. By the way, I had a big change of heart about racing Bugattis ; I have in the past made some disparaging comments about a world-renowned Bugattisti blowing his T35's engine at the Monaco Historics a few years back. Unforgivable vandalism I thought at the time, now I think he's a jolly fine fellow. This gentleman likes his cars particularly original and he does most (all?) of his own restoration and race preparation - hundred years from now this T35 will wear its mended engine block with pride and people will stand around it and say : "Can you believe they're still racing Bugattis in 2110?"

And what, I hear you ask, happens if a mischievous piston and con-rod makes a similar bid for freedom through the side of the engine block on the Staveley T44? Well apart from the many more enthusiasts weeping openly I believe it is not much different from the racing T35 mentioned above. This may very well be one of the most original Bugattis in existence but it is still a machine, a machine made for driving. And there are risks associated with even the most gentle of use, but still the owner drives it. Often. The alternative is to retire it and put it on static display.

Interesting dilemma facing Bugatti owners, use the car and not only does it wear out but you risk blowing it up and/or crashing it. On the other hand, can it satisfy the owner purely as a static exhibit? It is after all just a car, not the Shroud of Turin. Bad example I know, the Shroud has a contested provenance, unlike, say, the majority of Bugattis or Ferraris.

And finally, a note to Mr. Peter Mullin.

Dear Peter

Congratulations on acquiring 57374, (Peter it's the metallic blue one, it's called a Bugatti T57S Atlantic - yes that's the one, the 30 million dollar tax deduction.) and even better, the previous owner, Dr. Peter Williamson, restored this car to perfection, indeed so good is the condition it took the laurels at Pebble Beach in 2003. By the way, how come you've entered so many cars at Pebble over the years yet you've never won? I wonder why this is. I digress.

So you see Peter there is no need to restore it again. No need to chrome the wheels, no need to paint it metallic red, no need to redo the interior in cream, no need to do to this poor car what you did to 46360. Yes Peter, another Bugatti, slightly bigger than the (metallic) blue one. You 'borrowed' the green and orange colours from J.B. Nethercutt's Maybach Zeppelin remember? A Maybach is not the same as a Bugatti, it was made in Germany by Germans. Bugattis were made in France by an Italian. So not the same thing at all then. And I don't care what the purists say Peter, I think owning a T37 with the racing number '37' painted on is just so adorable. It's the other blue Bugatti Peter, no roof, no side windows and no windscreen - the guy who sold it to you probably called it a T51. Don't worry about it, they're near identical anyway.

Luckily for you a great many fine cars can be collected merely by throwing your money around. Acquiring class, breeding, discernment and good taste is another matter entirely. Get the sycophant who usually read the comics to you to explain what I just said.

Kind Regards
Johan Buchner

PS. Just having fun. Seriously.

Herman · **Posted:** Mon May 10, 2010 6:08 pm

He is back, and he is doing it again!! :lol:

barttore · **Joined:** Wed Jul 15, 2009 5:38 pm **Posts:** 642

Welcome back Johan !

Even real historians need critics, so let them think we are the amateurs, because most of us are.

They give us perfect opportunities to ask them "stupid" questions. They have the stress of keeping up their story. We get the enjoyment of checking if they've done their homework right. A few historians against, ...well how many enthousiastic amateurs ?

But please don't tell them we are the ones having more fun (OOOPS !)

With you back, the forum will be at least 25% more enjoyable for most of us.
OK some might not be happy seeing you're back. BUT THEY ASK FOR IT.

Best regards, Bart

Lazarus · **Posted:** Mon May 10, 2010 9:14 pm

Johan Buchner wrote:

Thanks Jaap and Herman.

I agree with you about replicas Jaap, a well-made replica may not have the history of a Molsheim built car (as a rule) but I do believe it will still give you access to the soul of Ettore or at least something close to it. By the way, I had a big change of heart about racing Bugattis ; I have in the past made some disparaging comments about a world-renowned Bugattisti blowing his T35's engine at the Monaco Historics a few years back. Unforgivable vandalism I thought at the time, now I think he's a jolly fine fellow. This gentleman likes his cars particularly original and he does most (all?) of his own restoration and race preparation - hundred years from now this T35 will wear its mended engine block with pride and people will stand around it and say : "Can you believe they're still racing Bugattis in 2110?"

And what, I hear you ask, happens if a mischievous piston and con-rod makes a similar bid for freedom through the side of the engine block on the Staveley T44? Well apart from the many more enthusiasts weeping openly I believe it is not much different from the racing T35 mentioned above. This may very well be one of the most original Bugattis in existence but it is still a machine, a machine made for driving. And there are risks associated with even the most gentle of use, but still the owner drives it. Often. The alternative is to retire it and put it on static display.

Interesting dilemma facing Bugatti owners, use the car and not only does it wear out but you risk blowing it up and/or crashing it. On the other hand, can it satisfy the owner purely as a static exhibit? It is after all just a car, not the Shroud of Turin. Bad example I know, the Shroud has a contested provenance, unlike, say, the majority of Bugattis or Ferraris.

And finally, a note to Mr. Peter Mullin.

Dear Peter

Congratulations on acquiring 57374, (Peter it's the metallic blue one, it's called a Bugatti T57S Atlantic - yes that's the one, the 30 million dollar tax deduction.) and even better, the previous owner, Dr. Peter Williamson, restored this car to perfection, indeed so good is the condition it took the laurels at Pebble Beach in 2003. By the way, how come you've entered so many cars at Pebble over the years yet you've never won? I wonder why this is. I digress.

So you see Peter there is no need to restore it again. No need to chrome the wheels, no need to paint it metallic red, no need to redo the interior in cream, no need to do to this poor car what you did to 46360. Yes Peter, another Bugatti, slightly bigger than the (metallic) blue one. You 'borrowed' the green and orange colours from J.B. Nethercutt's Maybach Zeppelin remember? A Maybach is not the same as a Bugatti, it was made in Germany by Germans. Bugattis were made in France by an Italian. So not the same thing at all then. And I don't care what the purists say Peter, I think owning a T37 with the racing number '37' painted on is just so adorable. It's the other blue Bugatti Peter, no roof, no side windows and no windscreen - the guy who sold it to you probably called it a T51. Don't worry about it, they're near identical anyway.

Luckily for you a great many fine cars can be collected merely by throwing your money around. Acquiring class, breeding, discernment and good taste is another matter entirely. Get the sycophant who usually read the comics to you to explain what I just said.

Kind Regards
Johan Buchner

PS. Just having fun. Seriously.

I can see that romance hasn't changed your style Johann ! Peter is a nice man I chatted to him at Molsheim recently.

Johan Buchner · **Posted:** Mon May 10, 2010 10:02 pm

Hello Jean, nice to hear from you.

I'm sure Peter Mullin is a very nice man, for all I know he can walk on water, pay all his taxes even. It is his philosophy that reeks of the robber-baron. To me and you and everybody else with an ounce of historical sensitivity 57374 is one of The Chosen, one of only a handful of Bugattis remaining still inviolate in their perfection.

To Peter Mullin 57374 is just another bauble to add to his growing collection, ever mindful of his motto : "He who dies with the most toys wins."

Nice man or not Jean he will bugger it up sooner or later.

Cheers
Johan

Lazarus · **Posted:** Tue May 11, 2010 11:25 am

Johan Buchner wrote:

Hello Jean, nice to hear from you.

I'm sure Peter Mullin is a very nice man, for all I know he can walk on water, pay all his taxes even. It is his philosophy that reeks of the robber-baron. To me and you and everybody else with an ounce of historical sensitivity 57374 is one of The Chosen, one of only a handful of Bugattis remaining still inviolate in their perfection.

To Peter Mullin 57374 is just another bauble to add to his growing collection, ever mindful of his motto : "He who dies with the most toys wins."

Nice man or not Jean he will bugger it up sooner or later.

Cheers
Johan

I don't know whether he can walk on water but I doubt that he will do anything to the T57 rather than simply enjoy it.

Cris · **Joined:** Sun Aug 10, 2008 3:26 am **Posts:** 12

Johan, in light of the fact that Mullin didn't actually purchase the car, your judgment about how he regards 57374 as simply a bauble is arrogant, even for you, if you don't mind me saying. Since the buyer has yet to actually come forth, do you assume that whoever the person is had to have done so for less than honorable reasons?

Do you think the car would be better off somehow ending up in the public domain, owned by all?

Cris

Johan Buchner · **Posted:** Wed May 12, 2010 7:09 am

Cris wrote : "Since the buyer has yet to actually come forth, do you assume that whoever the person is had to have done so for less than honorable reasons?

My reply : Yes

Cris wrote : "Do you think the car would be better off somehow ending up in the public domain, owned by all?"

My reply : Yes

Yours
Johan Buchner

J.J.Horst · **Posted:** Wed May 12, 2010 7:33 am

I do not understand your reaction anymore Johan, I spoke with Dr. Williamson when he was still alive, he was already at that time looking for a buyer. There were rumours that his Atlantic (sorry, but I prefer to refer to the Williamson Atlantic, and not some chassis number that I continue to forget, it is not that he had any more Atlantic's, so the chances of confusion are small) had been sold for around 3 million, and he laughed at that. Already at that time the asking price was around 30M$. What public entity would be willing to buy an old car at that kind of money?

So, there are only a few worldwide who could be buying the Atlantic, the advantage of Mullin buying it, is that it will be publicly shown at his Oxnard museum, and not sitting in some private garage, to only be shown to the public once every few years, Even you can go there Johan, just save up you cash and don't sepnd it on love affairs. I do hope that Peter Mullin will keep driving the car, as Williamson did.

(The buyer of the Williamson Atlantic is announced on my site, and yes, it is as said above)

In fact Johan, I do not understand what you have against Peter Mullin? Just because he painted one of his cars in colors that you do not like? We spoke about the fun of Bugattis, as an owner, part of the fun is to paint your Bug any color that you want. Changing the color of a Bugatti is not some violation of history (though I personally still oppose to painting EXK6 black), it is just adding new history to it!

And Johan did it ever occurr to you that Mullin did not win Pebble because he did not want to conform to the jury rules, that he wants to have his cars as he likes it, because that is his fun of owning them?

Johan Buchner · **Posted:** Wed May 12, 2010 10:39 am

Picking an argument with me Jaap? Thank you. You are so brave. Foolish too. But brave.

Allow me to respond.

There are plenty of public entities who can afford $30 million - the Louvre for instance. The works of Da Vinci, Michelangelo, Rembrandt etc. are considered too valuable for private ownership. Instead their works are held in trust by the people for the people. It's about time the works of Ettore Bugatti are similarly revered.

No I cannot visit Peter Mullin's museum in Oxnard - look at his website, entrance to his Aladdin's cave is by appointment only. Peruse the following if you please :

Dear Mr. Mullin.

May I please make an appointment to see your car collection. After I've pissed on your museum's floor I wish to put a cap in your ass. Next Thursday around noon okay with you?

Yours
Johan Buchner

Open to the public? Not really Jaap, no. Not like the Sclumpf at all. Personally I would much prefer the Williamson Atlantic to go to Miles Collier and before you blow a gasket, yes I am aware the Collier Collection is not open to the public either (it's an old money fox killer thing) but the simple truth is, he gets it. He is undoubtedly worthy of preserving 57374. Selfish, but worthy.

Do you know how the T46 got painted green and orange? Peter Mullin could not decide what colour he wanted so he let his wife pick them. In it's original post-Mullin-restoration form it was laughed off the field at Pebble, it was painfully over restored. It has since been toned down somewhat but it remain an egregiously compromised car. Fun is one thing Jaap, smiling at this act of wanton desecration would be a betrayal of my principles. Bugattis, like all great cars, matter Jaap, they matter a great deal. Would you really I stand by in silence while this man destroys that which we all are honour-bound to preserve for generations yet to come? It is my duty to speak out against vandalism (just as it is that mugwump's right to ignore me.). For evil to triumph all good men has to do is nothing and so on and so forth.

You wrote as follows : "And Johan did it ever occur to you that Mullin did not win Pebble because he did not want to conform to the jury rules, that he wants to have his cars as he likes it, because that is his fun of owning them?

Are you freakin kidding me!!?!! Let me tell you a story : Many, many years ago (the 90's actually) a gentleman by name of Sam Mann entered a beautiful Delage D8-120 fitted with a striking roadster body by de Villars at Pebble. And while the judges were fulsome in their praise for this car's beauty they did notice the ridiculously over-restored underside and running gear and dinged it. It did not win. Sam Mann took the criticism on the chin, fired his restoration team and the next year his Delage took car of the show. In 2008 Peter Mullin entered a Talbot-Lago Teardrop coupe, a very tacky and badly restored teardrop Talbot, but a teardrop Talbot nevertheless. When John Shirley's 8C2.9 took top honours Peter Mullin bitched about it no end, wailing plaintively "How can an ordinary guy compete against that sort of money?" Yes he really did say that.

Someone I consider a trusted friend and advisor met Peter Mullins and describes his ignorance as "staggering." Have you seen his red Delahaye? Staggering indeed. It is my right, nay, my DUTY to lead the campaign to have him and the rest of the lepers shunned. I am sickened by the sycophancy afforded to the rich ; unctuous little people running after the Peter Mullin's of the world telling them what they want to hear : "Yes Sir, buying the Arletta Schlumpf collection will give you the respect you crave Sir, fathers will offer their virgin daughters to you Sir. Sure this car never had chrome wires Sir, but you have such refined taste Sir I do believe you can pull it off. Indeed Sir, spending $30 mil. on the Williamson Atlantic will instantly elevate your status far above that of Bill Harrah and J.B. Nethercutt Sir. Please grant me the singular honour of planting a tender kiss on your exquisitely formed sphincter Sir." Slags.

I sincerely hope my words enrage both you and Cris into a stinging rebuttal. Perhaps if Peter Mullin realise that Bugatti Enthusiasts the world over consider him a joke (with the exception of you two and Jean, of course) he will turn his greed to another endeavour. And once we have run Peter Mullin out of town we can then turn our attention to the rest of the evil-doers. Only if silence holds sway will we have lost.

Thanks for writing Jaap, even though I hardly ever agree with you I appreciate your forthrightness more than you will ever know. Being wrong is good, sitting on the fence is bad.

Kind Regards
Johan Buchner

Lazarus · **Posted:** Wed May 12, 2010 12:19 pm

Johan Buchner wrote:

Picking an argument with me Jaap? Thank you. You are so brave. Foolish too. But brave.

Allow me to respond.

There are plenty of public entities who can afford $30 million - the Louvre for instance. The works of Da Vinci, Michelangelo, Rembrandt etc. are considered too valuable for private ownership. Instead their works are held in trust by the people for the people. It's about time the works of Ettore Bugatti are similarly revered.

No I cannot visit Peter Mullin's museum in Oxnard - look at his website, entrance to his Aladdin's cave is by appointment only. Peruse the following if you please :

Dear Mr. Mullin.

May I please make an appointment to see your car collection. After I've pissed on your museum's floor I wish to put a cap in your ass. Next Thursday around noon okay with you?

Yours
Johan Buchner

Open to the public? Not really Jaap, no. Not like the Sclumpf at all. Personally I would much prefer the Williamson Atlantic to go to Miles Collier and before you blow a gasket, yes I am aware the Collier Collection is not open to the public either (it's an old money fox killer thing) but the simple truth is, he gets it. He is undoubtedly worthy of preserving 57374. Selfish, but worthy.

Do you know how the T46 got painted green and orange? Peter Mullin could not decide what colour he wanted so he let his wife pick them. In it's original post-Mullin-restoration form it was laughed off the field at Pebble, it was painfully over restored. It has since been toned down somewhat but it remain an egregiously compromised car. Fun is one thing Jaap, smiling at this act of wanton desecration would be a betrayal of my principles. Bugattis, like all great cars, matter Jaap, they matter a great deal. Would you really I stand by in silence while this man destroys that which we all are honour-bound to preserve for generations yet to come? It is my duty to speak out against vandalism (just as it is that mugwump's right to ignore me.). For evil to triumph all good men has to do is nothing and so on and so forth.

You wrote as follows : "And Johan did it ever occur to you that Mullin did not win Pebble because he did not want to conform to the jury rules, that he wants to have his cars as he likes it, because that is his fun of owning them?

Are you freakin kidding me!!?!! Let me tell you a story : Many, many years ago (the 90's actually) a gentleman by name of Sam Mann entered a beautiful Delage D8-120 fitted with a striking roadster body by de Villars at Pebble. And while the judges were fulsome in their praise for this car's beauty they did notice the ridiculously over-restored underside and running gear and dinged it. It did not win. Sam Mann took the criticism on the chin, fired his restoration team and the next year his Delage took car of the show. In 2008 Peter Mullin entered a Talbot-Lago Teardrop coupe, a very tacky and badly restored teardrop Talbot, but a teardrop Talbot nevertheless. When John Shirley's 8C2.9 took top honours Peter Mullin bitched about it no end, wailing plaintively "How can an ordinary guy compete against that sort of money?" Yes he really did say that.

Someone I consider a trusted friend and advisor met Peter Mullins and describes his ignorance as "staggering." Have you seen his red Delahaye? Staggering indeed. It is my right, nay, my DUTY to lead the campaign to have him and the rest of the lepers shunned. I am sickened by the sycophancy afforded to the rich ; unctuous little people running after the Peter Mullin's of the world telling them what they want to hear : "Yes Sir, buying the Arletta Schlumpf collection will give you the respect you crave Sir, fathers will offer their virgin daughters to you Sir. Sure this car never had chrome wires Sir, but you have such refined taste Sir I do believe you can pull it off. Indeed Sir, spending $30 mil. on the Williamson Atlantic will instantly elevate your status far above that of Bill Harrah and J.B. Nethercutt Sir. Please grant me the singular honour of planting a tender kiss on your exquisitely formed sphincter Sir." Slags.

I sincerely hope my words enrage both you and Cris into a stinging rebuttal. Perhaps if Peter Mullin realise that Bugatti Enthusiasts the world over consider him a joke (with the exception of you two and Jean, of course) he will turn his greed to another endeavour. And once we have run Peter Mullin out of town we can then turn our attention to the rest of the evil-doers. Only if silence holds sway will we have lost.

Thanks for writing Jaap, even though I hardly ever agree with you I appreciate your forthrightness more than you will ever know. Being wrong is good, sitting on the fence is bad.

Kind Regards
Johan Buchner

small round things.

J.J.Horst · **Posted:** Wed May 12, 2010 12:35 pm

It seems you ARE back Johan, I already thought you would react, though it was a bit more than even I expected. It's good to disagree, though the museum now denies that Mulling bought the Atlantic, I did get a confirmation earlier.

No wonder that they won't let you in, if you will behave like that. Maybe if you can manage to control yourself (which I doubt), you can in fact visit it.

It is not so much that I do like Mullin, it's just your harshness that put's me off. And you know as well as I do that publicly owned museums will buy Mona Lisa's, but they will not buy old cars. There are few publicly owned car museums worldwide, except for the Mulhouse museum, and we all know the history of that.

So, maybe you can pray for the bankruptcy of Peter Mullin, so than the cars can fall property to California....

Yes, I'm still alive.

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