Eventually, Mr. Holtzschuch and his wife were captured and killed by Nazis by the end of World War II and the car was purchased alongside their Monaco mansion by Cannes businessman and mechanic Robert Verkerke in 1949. In the hands of this owner, the car entered the ""3rd International Speed Circuit for touring cars series"" race in Nice, but failed to finish. Over the next couple of years, No. 57473 had more than three additional owners. In 1952, it was sold to Bugatti enthusiast René Chatard which commissioned to have it painted pale blue after his own liking.