Bugatti Type 49 classic cars for sale

History of the Bugatti Type 49

The Bugatti Type 49 marked the final evolution of the legendary Bugatti eight-cylinder series, which began in 1922 with the Type 30. Debuting in 1930, the Type 49 continued the technical legacy established by its predecessors, including the Type 38, Type 40, Type 43, and Type 44, but introduced a higher standard of refinement and luxury. These vehicles became symbols of the era’s innovative automotive engineering and served as prestigious vehicles for discerning owners during the early interwar period.

Model History

The Type 49 succeeded the earlier eight-cylinder models, notably the Type 44. While the lineage began with the Type 30, which pioneered Bugatti’s inline-eight architecture, the Type 49 refined this concept, introducing technical upgrades and improved comfort. The Type 49's production ended as the Bugatti marque moved towards even more exclusive and advanced vehicles, such as the renowned Type 57 that followed.

Unique Features and Highlights

The Type 49 stands out with its available dual ignition system, utilising 16 spark plugs for improved reliability and performance. Most vehicles were bespoke, with bodies built by a range of renowned coachbuilders, resulting in great individuality among surviving examples. Luxury appointments such as leather upholstery, an easily operated convertible top, and two-tone paint options further underline its exclusive character. Some examples feature twin spare wheels on the rear, providing both style and practicality.

Technical Data

Special Editions and Coachbuilt Variants

Every Bugatti Type 49 is unique to a certain extent, owing to the fact that coachbuilders like Gangloff or Letourneur et Marchand fitted bespoke bodies to the robust Bugatti chassis. Cabriolets with a 'dicky seat' (occasional seat) at the rear are particularly noteworthy, as are those with twin spare wheels mounted at the rear.

Engine, Transmission and Driving Experience

The Bugatti Type 49's inline-eight engine delivers a characteristically smooth power delivery. The dual ignition system, with 16 spark plugs, aids in more efficient combustion and offers redundancy rare for the era. Manual transmissions coupled with the flexible chassis provide a distinctly vintage but sophisticated driving feel. Handling is determined by both the chassis set-up and the coachbuilt body style, which could range from lightweight cabriolets to more stately saloons. - Two-seater cabriolets, often with a removable roof and dicky seat, are particularly prized for their elegant looks and open-air charm.

• Saloons and coupés with more formal bodywork may showcase different driving dynamics, as weight and style vary between coachbuilder interpretations.

Design, Interior and Accessories

Design is fundamentally linked to the choice of coachbuilder. Interiors regularly feature high-grade leather throughout the seating and door panels, while exterior finishes include striking two-tone paint jobs. Unique appointments, such as rear-mounted twin spare wheels or intricately crafted dashboards, are found on select examples. The convertible roof mechanisms are typically constructed for ease of use, and many vehicles were custom-ordered with special colour schemes and period-correct accessories.

Other Noteworthy Details

With around 470 units built, surviving Bugatti Type 49 models are rare. The diversity in body designs and the technological refinement for its time make each vehicle a highly individual expression of Bugatti's ethos in the pre-war era.

Summary

The Bugatti Type 49 offers an authentic window into pre-war French automotive elegance, merging superb craftsmanship, technical innovation such as dual ignition, and the uniqueness of coachbuilt bodies. As the dominant representative among classic Bugatti listings, it draws focused interest from admirers of early performance and luxury engineering.