Bugatti Type 55 1933 - a photo on Flickriver

Bugatti Type 55 1933

            Chassis n°55234
Moteur n°34
Front axle n°34
Gearbox n°34
Rear axle n°35
Frame n°48

No other automobile manufacturer revolutionised the sports and racing car world quite as much as Ettore Bugatti. Born in an Italian artist and craftsman family, he was one of the first in 1910 to realise that better performance could be gained by reducing weight instead of ever increasing engine size. A lightweight construction provided better acceleration, better roadholding, far better braking and a welcome reduction in petrol consumption.
The Type 35 Grand Prix caused a sensation when first entered in the Grand Prix de Lyon in 1924. With a weight of only 700 kg and with the ultimate 35 B and 35 C 8-cylinder supercharged engine producing well over 150 horsepower, performance was astonishing, complemented by excellent steering, highly efficient brakes and superb handling. Over 2000 race victories had been achieved by 1927. When Ettore Bugatti studied the twin cam engines of the American racecar Miller, he was greatly inspired and developed the Type 51 Grand Prix (with an 8-cylinder 2262 cc supercharged engine), the car that continued the Bugatti success story well into the thirties.
This particular car, the Type 55 Jean Bugatti Roadster chassis no. 55234, is considered to be the most original Type 55 Jean Bugatti Roadster. Of the totally 13 surviving cars there are 6 cars with still original body and mechanical components, but 55234 is the only example that remains unrestored. Apart from a repaint and covering the seats with new connolly leather, no part of 55234 was restored and the mileage of less than 50.000 miles from new is genuine.
Equally amazing is the owner history of 55234. Delivered new to a Mr. Mercy in France, Count Georges d'Arnoux owned 55234 from 1936 to 1939 and sold it to "Le Commissaire", owner of the "Unis Sport" Bicycle Club who fitted the car with flag poles, in use when he patrolled the local Paris bicycle races. Miles Warbaugh, head of the Paris Morgan bank, owned 55234 from 1952 but struggled to use the car as his wife was expecting a baby. As a result he advertised 55234 in the New York Times in 1953, which is where Bugatti collector Miles Coverdale from New York discovered the car, flew to Paris and bought the car. For a full 35 years (1953-1989) 55234 formed part of Miles Coverdale's collection where it sat next to his Type 50 Le Mans, Type 35 Targa Florio works car and other members of the marque. It is owing to Miles Coverdale's culture that he only did to 55234 what was absolutely necessary, preserving the originality. He did find the original red under the yellow paint (reason to return to the original red/black) and he did have to replace the leather seat cushions as these were damaged and torn. All other parts of the car remained totally untouched. 55234 had 26.869 miles when Miles Coverdale bought the car in 1953 and 42.588 miles when he sold the car to Bob Rubin. Since 1998 55234 has formed part of a private European collection.
   

Taken in: France / Île-de-France / Heliport de Paris (show map)

Taken on: February 3, 2016

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Sets appears in: • Rétromobile 2016 • Bugatti

Camera: Canon EOS 1100D, f/9.0, 0.4 sec, 24mm, ISO 100 (more info) (hide info)

Camera:	Canon EOS 1100D
Lens:	EF-S18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 III
Aperture:	f/9.0
Exposure Time:	0.4
Focal Length:	24mm
ISO:	100
Exposure Bias:	0 EV
Flash:	Off, Did not fire
Exposure Program:	Manual
Exposure Mode:	Manual
Metering Mode:	Multi-segment
White Balance:	Manual
Color Space:	Uncalibrated
Software:	Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 3.6 (Windows)
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