The first car I ever got behind the wheel of was the museum's 1931 Bugatti Royale Type 41. When I first saw the car, I immediately was drawn to it. The car was the most beautiful piece of automotive art I had ever seen. I walked around it several times, almost in disbelief. It was huge but perfect in every detail. I touched the driver's door handle, and the door opened. It had been left unlocked! Naturally, I climbed in. My dad was shocked by this, and climbed in the passenger seat to tell me I couldn't be in the car.

This was around 1960, and I was too young to actually drive. But in my mind I was already speeding down a French highway with the top down. I was looking down that immensely long hood as trees rushed by as that great engine merely hummed. The transmission slipped effortlessly from gear to gear. The steering and suspension smoothly straightened out the curving road. This may have been the greatest motoring experience of my life, even though it only lasted about 2 minutes while being stationary inside the museum. A young man working for the museum appeared and politely but firmly requested that we get out of the car.

However, it was too late. That 2 minute drive had changed my life. I then liked cars with an irrational passion. Since then I have owned many cars. I have spent countless hours working on antique cars. Maybe you should put up a sign to inhibit others from being so enamored with automobiles, like:

Caution Bugatti:
May cause irrational exuberance!

Anyway, it’s too late for me. Cars have been the love of my life – and I wouldn’t change any of it. You can see my recent escapades in the link below:

http://www.automobilemag.com/features/collectible_classic/1112_1939_1956_singer_roadster_collectible_classic/index.html

If you would like a better photo, I would be happy to allow you to take it of me in the Bugatti!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

David