The entry form for the Art Deco 2025 car rally and associated events is here: Art Deco 2025.
BUGATTI PRESS RELEASE JANUARY 2025
Viva la Marque: Celebrating the Art Deco Bugatti at the 2025 Napier Rally. In February 2025, the world of vintage automobiles will converge on Napier, New Zealand, for a spectacular display of automotive history. The Hawkes Bay Vintage Car Club, in collaboration with the Art Deco Trust, will host the annual Art Deco Rally, a celebration that marries the elegance of Art Deco with the power and grace of classic cars. This year, the Bugatti marque takes centre stage, with the Bugatti Owners Club of New Zealand proudly showcasing these iconic vehicles as the event’s featured cars.
Art Deco, born in France during the 1920s, is known for its luxurious design elements that blend
geometric shapes, bold lines, and exquisite craftsmanship. The Bugatti cars that will grace
Napier’s streets are no exception. Produced in France between the 1920s and 1930s, these cars
are living examples of Art Deco at its finest. Many were crafted by prestigious independent
coachbuilders such as Gangloff and Graber, as well as being produced at Bugatti’s factory. These
vehicles are more than just cars; they are rolling works of art.
From Wednesday, February 12th to Sunday, February 16th, these extraordinary machines will be
seen cruising the streets of Napier and the wider Hawke’s Bay region, participating in the various
rally events organized by the Hawkes Bay Vintage Car Club. However, the highlight of the event
will be the gathering of these vehicles on Saturday, February 15th, at 1:30 p.m. in front of the
Napier Sound Shell. Of the 15 known Bugatti’s in New Zealand, 12 will be present, including an
impressive collection of four Type 57 models, among which is the legendary Type 57 Atlantic
Coupe.
The Type 57 Atlantic is the crown jewel of Bugatti’s history—an Art Deco masterpiece that
combines speed with style. Of the four originally produced, only two are known to survive, one of
which resides in the Ralph Lauren collection. The fourth, a car shrouded in mystery, went missing
in 1939 and has never been seen since. This car, affectionately known as ‘La Voiture Noire’ (The
Black Car), has captured the imagination of car enthusiasts and historians alike.
In an exciting twist, Tom Andrews from the Classics Museum in Hamilton, New Zealand, acquired
a barn-find Type 57 in France ten years ago. As Andrews set about fully restoring the Type 57
Ventoux, he was inspired to also build a faithful recreation of the lost ‘La Voiture Noire’. This
remarkable recreation will be unveiled to the public on Thursday, February 15th, at 3:15 p.m. at
the Masonic Hotel on Napier’s Marine Parade.
The Bugatti Type 57 Atlantic is more than just a car; it is an emblem of Art Deco design, an
expression of speed, elegance, and innovation. Its teardrop-shaped body and aerodynamic
design made it the fastest car of its time, yet its beauty still captures hearts and imaginations,
standing as a sculpture on wheels.
As the 2025 Art Deco Rally draws near, the streets of Napier will once again come alive with the
sight and sound of these automotive masterpieces, celebrating both the timeless beauty of the
Bugatti marque and the enduring legacy of Art Deco design. For those lucky enough to be there,
it will be an event to remember.
Viva la Marque!