Bugatti Type 55 Classic Cars for Sale

Manufactured from 1931-1935, the beautiful Bugatti Type 55 roadster was a car based on Bugatti's successful racing cars. With cast alloy wheels, a coupé or Grand Sport body and long sweeping wings, Bugatti captured the spirit of the age with the Type 55 130bhp roadster. The small production run of 38 units made the Type 55 much sought after, remaining so to the present day where Type 55's for millions.

History of Bugatti

Founded in 1909 by Italian born Ettore Bugatti, French car manufacturing company Automobiles Ettore Bugatti were based in Molshein, Alsace. They gained a reputation for his focus on detailed engineering and the artistic way their car designs were executed. After World War One ended, Bugatti exhibited 3 light car models at the 1919 Paris Motor Show, the Type 13, and Types 22 and 23, and success followed. Their car design and production focussed on vehicle speed and quality. Bugatti implemented a number of innovative manufacturing developments adding to the quality of the cars i.e hand scraped engine blocks (no gaskets required), safety wires on every fastener and suspension assembly modifications being amongst other innovations

Bugatti Racing cars

Between 1924 and 1939 Bugatti racing cars enjoyed much success on the motor racing scene, notably the Type 10's and the Type 35's winning many prestigious races. Bugatti produced road cars featuring its race car engines, and in 1932 they introduced the Bugatti Type 55 roadster.

Bugatti Type 55 Design Details

Designed by Bugatti's son Jean, the Bugatti Type 55 featured a Bugatti T54 race car chassis, a T51 race car engine and wheels and also a 4 speed and reverse gearbox from a Bugatti T49 set in a specially designed casing. The Type 55 was a high performance roadster and has what is considered the best chassis Bugatti ever made. Its short wheel base and light weight, and a 2262 cc engine producing 106 BHP really did make it a race car for the road, set off by its cast alloy wheels and elegantly sweeping wings.

Bugatti Type 55 end of production run

Bugatti manufactured 38 Bugatti Type 55 units and in 1935 production turned to other models. The subsequent death of Ettore Bugatti shortly after World War Two, and a lengthy period of slow decline, saw the original incarnation of the Bugatti company ceased operations in 1952.

Bugatti Logo

The Bugatti logo features a white lettered 'Bugatti' running across an oval red enamel background bordered by a metal 'perforated' border. The initials 'EB' in black font with the 'E' reversed feature above the main Bugatti lettering.