Description
The Type 55 Super Sports was introduced in 1932 and in production until 1935. Just thirty eight examples were produced in total, of which just sixteen were fitted with roadster coachwork designed by Jean Bugatti and crafted at the Molsheim works. It is believed 11 of those original roadsters survive to this day.
The engine of the Type 55 was essentially the same 2. 3Litre Inline Eight-Cylinder engine with double overhead camshaft and roller bearing crankshaft as fitted to the hugely successful T51 GP. In similar fashion, a Roots type supercharger was fitted and helped to give a healthy 130BHP at 5, 000rpm and a top speed around 112MPH. Only the compression ratio of the Type 55 was slightly lower compared to the engine of the Type 51 GP.
For Bugatti to use the same engine for the Type 55 as the Type 51 GP made good sense, seeing that the latter had been so successful: the T51 GP had numerous wins to its name during the 1931 season including the French GP.
This particular Type 55 tribute is an exacting copy build in the early 1990s in Argentina. The roadster bodywork is beautifully crafted and to a very high standard.
The complete running gear for the car came from Crosthwaite & Gardiner. This includes a full roller bearing crankshaft engine and Roots type supercharger made from original drawings.
The gearbox, steering parts and brakes were also made by Crosthwaite & Gardiner in the UK who have a long history connected to Bugatti and historic racing cars in general. Their work is always of the highest standard.
The Type 55 was formerly owned by the previous proprietor of Hoffmans of Henley, a Lotus and Rolls-Royce expert based in the UK. The former owner spend numerous hours going over the Type 55, sourcing and manufacturing further parts to make it indistinguishable from the original. This included taking the engine apart to its individual components along with the brakes and axles. A few photos of this work follow the car.
In 2017 the Bugatti Type 55 was sold at a Bonhams auction and it has stayed with the same enthusiastic owner since then, benefitting from regular maintenance and exercise. The Type 55 is now ready to be enjoyed by its next owner.
A small folder with documents detailing work carried out and some invoices come with the car.
The Bugatti comes with a UK V5 and is registered with chassis number BC 146. The car was imported to EU prior to Brexit, so no import-VAT applies upon registering the car in the EU.
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