Bugatti Brouillard: One-Off Hypercar Tribute

This is the Bugatti Brouillard. It’s green. It has tartan. It’s got 1,578 brake horsepower. And it’s named after a horse. Welcome to the most gloriously bonkers Bugatti ever built.

When I first saw this car on photos when it was presented to the world it looked like a rendering. But after seeing it in the flesh during the recent Wheels Mariënwaerdt | Concours d’Elegance I can confirm those were not renders, it was very real. This car was my sole reason to attend the event, because I felt this was one of the few if not only chance to see this car up close.

Imagine, if you will, that Bugatti decided to throw a farewell party for its legendary W16 engine. But instead of cake and champagne, they built a one-off hypercar so extravagant, so utterly bespoke, it makes a Chiron look like a rental hatchback. This is the Brouillard, the first child of Bugatti’s new Programme Solitaire, which is basically Bugatti saying, “We’ll build you a car, but only if you’re rich enough to own your own planet.”

Wheels Mariënwaerdt | Concours d’Elegance

This year, for the very first time, I ventured into the glorious madness that is Wheels Mariënwaerdt. Not as a professional, mind you, no clipboard, no press pass, no mission. Just me, my two eldest kids in tow and a camera Why? Because every time I say I’m off to a car show, they ask, ‘What do you actually do there?’ So this was the perfect chance to show them.

And what a show it was. They even snapped a few photos themselves, budding petrolheads in the making, clearly. But let’s talk about Wheels Mariënwaerdt. What is it, really? Imagine a place where automotive dreams collide: from the most elegant classics that smell of leather and nostalgia, to the freshest, most futuristic beasts on four wheels. The highlight? The unveiling of the Bugatti Brouillard on Dutch soil but more on that in a separate post.

In short: something for everyone, and everything for someone who loves cars. Bloody brilliant.

As you can see, this wasn’t just a car show it was a full-blown automotive buffet. Right from the moment we parked, we were surrounded by Lamborghini’s. Not just one or two, but a whole herd of them, courtesy of the Lamborghini Club Nederland, who clearly decided subtlety was overrated.

But wait it gets better. Nestled among the supercar royalty was a Volvo 242, sitting pretty on Work VS-KF wheels. Yes, a Volvo. On Japanese split rims. It’s the kind of thing that makes you question everything you thought you knew about Scandinavian restraint.

The Untold Saga of the Mercedes-Benz C111

If you ever wondered what happens when Mercedes-Benz decides to go completely mad, in a good way, meet the C111. No, it wasn’t a production car. No, you could’t buy one. And yes, people actually sent blank cheques to Stuttgart begging for it. That’s how bonkers this thing was. But it wasn’t just one car, Mercedes-Benz used the C111 for several different versions.

Imagine a car that looks like it was designed by a sci-fi illustrator on espresso. The C111 cars all had gullwing doors, a fiberglass wedge-shaped body, and a paint job called Weissherbst metallic orange.

These photos were taken in 2019 when Mercedes-Benz made a big impact during the 2019 Techno Classica show in Essen, Germany. They brought 5 of these so-called C111 cars to the show. The Techno Classica show is the largest classic car show in Europe and exhibitors include car manufacturers, dealers, restoration companies and private collectors. One of the big changes, and something that has been going on for a few years now, is diminishing support from the big three German car manufacturers. So you won’t see these kind of exhibitions anytime soon at a car show.

The first BMW Art Car by Alexander Calder

Yes I know, yet another BMW, but you don’t often get the chance to see BMW’s legendary Art Cars all in one place. But lo and behold, The Louwman Museum in The Hague pulled off the impossible. Nine of these automotive icons, side by side, including the one that started it all: Alexander Calder’s BMW 3.0 CSL.

Imagine this: it’s 1975. Disco is booming, flared trousers are a thing, and BMW is about to do something completely bonkers. They hand over one of their most powerful race cars at the time, the BMW 3.0 CSL, to an artist. And not just any artist but Alexander Calder, the man who made mobiles dance in the wind and colors explode like fireworks.

Hervé Poulain, a French auctioneer with a passion for motorsport and modern art brought the artist and BMW together. Now, Calder didn’t just slap a few stripes on the bonnet and call it a day. No, he turned the car into a rolling canvas. Bright reds, yellows, blues, his signature palette, flowed over the bodywork like a rainbow on steroids. It was bold. It was brash. It was beautiful. And it was fast.

From a Humble BMW ’02 to a Bavarian Rocket

Now, I know what you’re thinking: “Another BMW ’02?” But hold your horses, because this one isn’t just another ’02 with patina and a roundel. No, this is a masterclass in contrast. From a 1502 with more patina than paint, to a fully restored, OEM+ styled machine that looks like it rolled straight out of a Bavarian fever dream.

The owner? He’s not just a fan, he’s a full-blown BMW whisperer. Paul Gebbink restores classic Bimmers in his spare time. But pop the bonnet, and it becomes immediately clear: this one’s gone several steps beyond your average Sunday project.

Respect your elders: The BMW 1502

One of my favorite cars at the recent Retrospective by Revworks event was this BMW 1502. It had that little something that grabbed me. The owner bought this car two years ago. It was not the kind you’d find in a showroom with a smug salesman and a cappuccino machine. No, this one came with rust, questionable welds, and the faint smell of regret. Naturally, the owner loved it as car lovers do.

Since then, it’s been through more metalwork than a Viking sword. Everything’s been re-welded that needed it. Other improvements include a new set axles that have been swapped out for those from a turbo model. Because the ones the car came with were beyond repair.

Sourcing parts for this thing is like trying to find a polite cyclist in Amsterdam: technically possible, but wildly unlikely. Every bolt, bracket, and miscellaneous parts has been a battle. But the owner persevered. Stabilizers have been added, a roll cage now snakes through the cabin, and strut bars brace the chassis like it’s preparing for that final race of the season.

Revworks Retrospective: Ode to Petrol Fumes

Starting a new car event isn’t exactly like assembling IKEA furniture. It’s not for the faint-hearted, the indecisive, or anyone who thinks a torque wrench is a cocktail. But thank the petrol gods, there are still brave souls out there who dare to stir the pot in an already overcrowded Dutch automotive landscape. Enter Retrospective by Revworks, a celebration of cars that have been around for at least 25 years and still have more character than most modern hatchbacks.

The masterminds behind this glorious chaos? My friends from Revworks. For years, they’ve been laying the groundwork, brick by oily brick, and this event is their pièce de résistance.

Last year’s debut was a roaring success. But pulling off the same trick twice? That’s like asking a Ferrari F40 to behave in traffic. And yet, somehow, they did it. Again. With a storm looming on the horizon, literally, enthusiasts still flocked to Brielle, braving the elements to bask in the glory of chrome, carburetors, and cars that actually have a soul.

Gallery: M Power at Bimmerfest 2025

Last year, Bimmerfest 2024 had us basking in glorious sunshine, the kind that makes you believe a convertible is always a good idea. This year? Not so much. The sun, it seems, had other plans. Instead, Raceway Venray served us up a delightful mix of wind, intermittent downpours, and the kind of skies that make you question every life choice that led you to put on your best Air Max 1s. But, as true BMW enthusiasts, we soldiered on and between the showers, Bimmerfest once again delivered a feast for the senses (and a workout for your umbrella if you had one).

Arriving at the legendary oval of Raceway Venray, it’s impossible not to be gobsmacked by the sheer steepness of the banking. It’s like walking across the side of a cliff in sneakers—grippy shoes are absolutely essential unless you fancy falling down in front of a crowd of amused car geeks.