Description
Bugatti Type 55 Cabriolet par Vanvooren – A legend from 1932
Some cars evoke admiration, and then there are cars that transcend into legends. This 1932 Bugatti Type 55 Cabriolet for sale, featuring an exclusive Vanvooren body, belongs to that elite category. One of only six ever delivered to the Bugatti dealership in Paris, this is the only surviving example that retains its original bodywork on its 1932 chassis.
This exceptional piece of Bugatti history is fully recognized and authenticated by Bugatti experts, with a comprehensive and documented history. The car has been restored by leading specialists in the Bugatti scene and remains in outstanding condition. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for connoisseurs and collectors of pre-war automotive icons.
A Rare and Remarkable Survivor
This Bugatti Type 55 Cabriolet is not only one of the rarest examples of its kind, but also among the most historically authentic. Built in May 1932 at Molsheim, the car was delivered to Bugatti’s Paris dealership, owned by Dominique Lamberjack, on July 29, 1932.
The Vanvooren coach building firm in Courbevoie was then entrusted with crafting a two-seater cabriolet body, giving the car its signature elegance. Despite its exclusivity, the Bugatti remained unsold for over four years, sitting in Lamberjack’s showroom until 1936, when it was finally purchased by Eugène Leleux, a prominent French brewer.
Documented Provenance and Remarkable Preservation
What sets this Bugatti Type 55 apart is its exceptional provenance and extensive documentation. Original sales invoices, letters, period photographs, and restoration records meticulously document the car’s history from the day it left the Bugatti factory.
The original 1936 invoice confirms that Leleux purchased the Type 55 for 16, 000 French francs in cash, 25, 000 francs in installments, and traded in a Bugatti Type 57. Leleux himself inscribed a detailed technical specification list on the back of a period photo, describing its supercharged inline-eight engine, separate gearbox, and cable-operated brakes. This was considered an engineering marvel for its time.
During World War II, the car was serviced at Bugatti’s workshop in Levallois, where it received new valves, valve guides, and essential mechanical maintenance. Detailed invoices from 1942 still accompany the car, highlighting Bugatti’s commitment to servicing even in wartime.
A Well-Preserved Bugatti with a Fascinating Past
Following the war, the Bugatti passed through several notable collectors, including Eugène Mulnard, a prominent Bugatti enthusiast and president of the Écurie Flandre racing team. Though primarily used as a daily driver, Mulnard ensured the car remained in perfect working order.
In 1975, he fully rebuilt the engine, and in 1980, the car was sold to renowned collector Marc Blanc, where it remained untouched for years before undergoing an extensive multi-year restoration at Ventoux Moteurs and Dijkhof Carrosserie.
A Technological Marvel – The Bugatti Type 55
The Bugatti Type 55 is one of the most celebrated models in Bugatti’s history, engineered by Jean Bugatti and derived from the legendary Type 51 Grand Prix race car. Its 2. 3-liter supercharged straight-eight engine, featuring dual overhead camshafts and a Roots-type supercharger, produces 180 horsepower. This was a staggering figure for its era.
With a top speed of 180 km/ h (112 mph), the Type 55 was one of the fastest road cars of the 1930s. Designed for gentleman drivers and connoisseurs, this model combined racing pedigree with luxurious craftsmanship, making it one of the most sought-after Bugattis ever built.
A Once-in-a-Lifetime Opportunity for Collectors
This 1932 Bugatti Type 55 Cabriolet par Vanvooren represents an irreplaceable piece of automotive history. It is the only surviving Vanvooren-bodied Type 55 that retains its original body on its original chassis, making it a historically significant and unique collector’s piece.
With an extensive archive of original documentation, period photos, and restoration invoices, this Bugatti is a very special work of art. For the discerning collector, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to acquire one of the rarest and most celebrated Bugattis in existence.
Contact Us Today
Are you interested in this extraordinary 1932 Bugatti Type 55 Cabriolet for sale? Contact Gallery Aaldering today or visit our showroom in Brummen. As a renowned specialist in exclusive and historic automobiles, we offer worldwide export services and will assist you throughout the entire purchasing process.
