Autoworld summoned an unrivalled collection of Bugattis for the autumn. Some fifteen cars from various decades are presented in the main hall of the Museum.
The Museum emphasised the specimen’s uniqueness, as most cars are not series-production cars (either small-production special editions or even tailor-made one-offs), and most of them have rarely or never been exhibited. Road cars of royalties or the Bugatti family, race cars with magnificent racing history and many one-off specimens, this exhibition has it all.
To be fair, some of them are not the real ones, but pre-production models. Among these, the absolute highlight is the one and only La Voiture Noire. This car was Inspired by Jean Bugatti’s personal car, a black Type 57 SC Atlantic. In 2022, the Voiture Noire was sold for a record price of 16 million euros to a mysterious owner whose name was never disclosed. Nevertheless, rumours are livelier than a James Bond casting, including celebrities like Christiano Ronaldo and Ferdinand Peich, just to name the wildest guesses.
The other modern individual Bugatti cars include the Centodieci and the Divo. The Divo is an old friend from the 2019 Incomparable Bugatti exhibition of the Cité de l’Automobile.
Back then, The Bugatti Divo was still a concept to spawn a production version for the model year 2020. Since then, it has become a reality. It is based on the technical platform of the Chiron, with a longitudinal embedded rear central 7993cc W16 engine producing 1500HP. The name bears tribute to French driver Albert Divo, double winner of the prestigious Targa Florio in 1928 and 1929, driving a Bugatti 35B. The design reminded us of the Bugatti Vision Gran Turismo concept we saw in 2016 at the Mondiale Paris.
Unlike the Chiron that broke the 400km/h barrier speed record on public roads, the Divo is not laid out for speed but for corners and driving pleasure. The production was planned to be limited to 40 specimens, and the entire lot was immediately sold out despite its rather steep net selling price of 5 million euros, but each car was delivered by 2021.
The white car is a Bugatti Centodieci, another exclusive model whose design pays homage to the EB110, the first modern Bugatti hypercar since the World War. Only 10 Centodiecis were offered during the production year 2022, at the price of about 8 million euros each (the amount also covered in addition to pre-production and test cars, like the one showcased). Every Centodieci is tailor-made and hand-built at the Atelier in Molsheim, the marque’s home base in France.
The curators also secured specimens from the modern-day series production hypercars, like the contemporary Chiron, the Veyron developed under the VW management and the EB110 in the funny 1:1 BBurago box. The opposite FIVA box hosted a 1939 Bugatti 57SC Aravis.
The exhibition promised many unique specimens, and they did not exaggerate, as most prewar Bugatti passenger cars were tailor-made by notable coachbuilders.
The earliest road car is a black 1929 Bugatti Type 43. A true royalty, as this Bugatti belonged to King Leopold III, who drove to Sweden to meet Princess Astrid. Equipped with an inline 8-cylinder 2.2 engine, the chassis was shortened in 1932 to participate in ice races, which were back then very popular in Scandinavia. The car is no longer in the royal family’s possession, but the successive owners kept it authentic.
Next up is a yellow 1928 Bugatti Type 44, with Belgian origin. This Faux cabriolet (two-door car based on a long-wheelbase limousine chassis) is fitted by Belgium’s D’Ieteren Frères marked with light, flexible, and durable bodywork with distinctive characteristics.
The Type 44 was a variant of the Bugatti Type 43 sport 2.2, equipped with a 3.0 inline engine, producing a respectable 80 hp, taking the 1200kg car to speeds above 135 km/h. The model was marketed as the successor of the Type 38, offered with multiple body shapes, some of which were designed by Jean Bugatti (torpedo, roadster, Grand Sport, or sedan) or by independent coachbuilders.
Our favourite car from this stage is a 1938 Bugatti 57SC Corsica. The Type 57 spawned some of the most impressive prewar cars, with the Atalante, Ventoux, Stelvio and Galibier coupés. The ingenuity of Jean was complemented by the work of French and European coachbuilders.
This car was tailored at Corsica, noted for fancy cabriolets, and is usually resident at the Museum National de l’Automobile de Mulhouse, whose formidable Bugatti fleet is based on the Schlumpf Collection. It is one of our favourite car museums, and we recommend to have a peek at our comprehensive report, including the best Bugatti exhibition of all time.
The penultimate car is a 1938 Bugatti 57C Special Coupé, built for the personal use of Ettore Bugatti. The vehicle was developed by his talented son, Jean and driven by several GP aces, like Jean-Pierre Wimille. After the war, the 57C became the corporate car of Director-General Pierre Marco and testbed for new ideas.
The last of the road cars is a 1930 Bugatti Type 49, built for the personal use of Jean Bugatti. This is the only surviving specimen of six short-wheelbase chassis fitted by the factory.
The Type 49 is the road variant of the Bugatti’s iconic Type 35 race car. The Type 49 was unveiled at the Paris Car Show in 1930. Bugatti ultimately sold 470 vehicles until 1934. This model repositioned the brand towards more luxury, comfort and performance.
The third segment features prewar race cars from several decades. The line-up starts with a 1925 Bugatti Type 36. The Type 36 prototype was intended for the Circuit de Montlhéry in France. The 36 was gradually improved and equipped with different bodies and suspensions, including a compressor.
The following car is a 1929 Bugatti Type 37A, the entry-level version of the Type 35. This car used the same chassis and bodywork as the legendary 35, but it was powered by a four-cylinder engine and simpler tech (3 valves and single shaft). Thus, it was easier and cheaper to maintain. Some 223 Type 37s were produced.
The Red/White car is a 1930 Bugatti Type 35B. The Type 35 was built from 1924 to 1930 in various variants. It is often credited as the most successful Grand Prix race car ever, winning over 1000 races. It was one of the first cars designed as a single construction and offered in a ready-for-the-race package. It is also the first car with cast aluminium rims, and its 2.2 inline 8-cylinder engine produced over 140 PS, bringing the race car to speeds above 200 km/h.
The concrete exhibit is a late B variant of the 35, the most powerful of the 35 series. Some 37 cars were built, and this car was delivered to a Swiss pilot, hence the combination of colours.
The light blue car is a 1931 Type 51, starting its life as a 35B factory car used in many races. To remain competitive, it received the new 51 engine. The car was driven by aces like Louis Chiron and Achille Varzi and has one of the most impressive ranks in history.
The last car is a 1931 Type 54, one of the four cars still existing out of the 9 built between 1931 and 1932. This car was piloted by Achille Varzi, winning the Monza Grand Prix. This car is so authentic that it kept the burn marks from the exhaust.
The exhibition also offers a bonus car, albeit a small one. The Bugatti Type 52 children’s toy was inspired by the legendary Bugatti Type 35. The first car was created for Roland, the son of Ettore Bugatti, who was then 4 years old. In total, some 500 baby cars were produced between 1927 and 1936. This ‘Baby Bugatti’ is powered by a 12V electric motor with forward and reverse speeds.
The Bugatti Unseen was opened on 8 September and will remain on display until 5 November. For more information on opening hours, access and ticket prices, visit their website.
