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A visit to Gubsø Garage: Bugatti passion at the heart of Denmark
“During the design phase of our building, we visited the original Bugatti factories. While there, we met a former employee who shared an incredible story. In the final years before the factory shut down, the workers stopped receiving pay. Many took tools and materials home as compensation. This man, for instance, had an original Bugatti workbench—weighing nearly two tons—sitting in his garden! That very bench is now here in the Gubsø Garage workshop. Transporting it cost more than the bench itself, but it’s a beauty—and rich in history,” Mark says with a smile. The anecdote perfectly captures the dedication and deep affection for the Bugatti legacy.
Mark Vogel is a true Bugattiste. His fascination with the marque began at the age of twelve, sparked by a book by Bugatti historian Hugh Conway—a book that still holds a place of honour on his shelf. What drew him in? “The quality, the engineering, the incredible tolerances.” That admiration has never faded.
For years, Mark and his brother ran a chewing tobacco factory. It was his brother who first suggested buying a Bugatti Type 40—and that became the start of something bigger. A section of the factory was transformed into a restoration workshop, staffed by four devoted mechanics. After selling the business in 2017, it was time for the next chapter: Gubsø Garage.
Not a commercial venture, but a personal mission. Even so, customer cars soon found their way in. Mark worked closely with an architect to design the building, taking inspiration from Bugatti’s Molsheim site. Even the gates subtly echo the original. In 2021, Gubsø Garage officially opened its doors—not just as a restoration workshop, but as a conference centre, complete with meeting rooms and a restaurant. Today, the complex draws around 20,000 visitors each year.
On a sunny day, we drive our Riley through Denmark’s gently rolling countryside toward Aarhus. Upon arrival, we’re greeted by an unrestored Voisin, casually parked at the entrance. To the left, a glass wall reveals a stunning collection of classic cars, each waiting to be brought back to life.
At first, Mark is a bit reserved, but he quickly opens up, passionately discussing his admiration for Ettore Bugatti—a man who uniquely fused art and engineering. His favourite car? The Bugatti Type 51, once owned by Oprey, still largely original, even the bodywork. Other marques are represented too, including an outstanding BMW 328: “Far ahead of its time,” says Mark. But it all began with a Porsche 911, bought at seventeen, restored by hand, and still his daily driver.
After selling his company, Mark began collecting cars without a strict plan. These days, he focuses on usability and quality. One highlight in the showroom is a breathtaking Delahaye 135 with coachwork by Figoni & Falaschi. It arrived as a wreck—over 6,000 hours of restoration later, it’s a masterpiece.
During the tour, we see the four full-time mechanics still hard at work, all sharing Mark’s passion. In one room, a clutch is being refined with a new, improved design. The entire workshop blends history with innovation: shelves replicate original Bugatti tire racks, workbenches are modeled after those in Molsheim, yet modern machines like a CNC lathe are also in use.
A Bugatti Type 54 with a five-litre engine stands in chassis form. It never left the factory due to bankruptcy, but now—in-house—it's finally receiving its elegant bodywork. Everything here is crafted with precision, down to a dedicated polishing room.
We pass a Type 43 having its engine rebuilt. Its original chassis and storied past make it truly special. Not far off is a VW Beetle engine. The liveliest space is the engine shop, home to a customer’s Bugatti 37—which arrived in boxes—and Mark’s own Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 on a lift. A Bugatti Type 51 just received a winter service and now features their custom-built starter system, a modern innovation with vintage charm.
Mark prefers the eight-cylinder Bugattis. “Once you’ve driven one, there’s no going back.” Still, there’s also a four-cylinder Type 37, once a racer in Spain and often photographed.
When a Type 51 is wheeled out for a test drive, the timing feels perfect. But after just a few minutes, the engine sputters out—it’s the first run of the season. “There’s always something to do with classic cars, especially when you actually drive them,” Mark laughs.
And that’s exactly what makes Gubsø Garage so special: this is not a place where cars are merely collected—they live, breathe, and are brought back to life with passion.
Published:
Wednesday May 28th, 2025
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henri lalanne
28 May 2025, 07:50
Long live Gubsoe garage and its creator Marc Vogel.
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Marc est un homme jeune enthousiaste ,honnète et très serieux .Je le recommande a ceux qui ne le connaissent pas encore et qui va reprendre la relève des vieux comme nous qui commençons a partir pour un autre monde.
Longue vie a Gubsoe garage et a son créateur Marc Vogel.