Jean Bugatti's final project realized 73 years after his death

Legendary designer Jean Buggati's final unfinished project has finally been realized by the Mullin Automotive Museum, 73 years after his death.

The Southern Californian Museum is devoted to the preservation of French art and automobiles from the Art Deco era, and has announced that the 1939 Bugatti Type 64 Coupe Chassis #64002 project is nearing completion.

The museum – alongside Stewart Reed Design of Pasadena and Automobile Metal Shaping Company of Michigan – has added the swooping coupé body to the original chassis based on sketches left unfinished by Bugatti at the time of his death in 1939.

The hand-formed body has been created using genuine 1930s coachbuilding techniques and will feature numerous classic design cues such as the intricate riveted body structure and iconic papillion doors.

"We've dedicated much of our efforts at the Museum to honor the Bugatti family and the marque, but never have we done something of this scale," said Peter Mullin, Chairman of the Mullin Automotive Museum.

"I cannot imagine a greater token of respect to the Bugatti family than to help finish Jean Bugatti's beloved final masterpiece."

Bugatti's final project will finally be seen in the steel on 17 August at The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering before the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance and then be on display at the museum thereafter.

By Rufus Thompson