Description

The Bugatti Type 45 was an ambitious and experimental project born from Bugatti’s pursuit of technological innovation and racing dominance during the early 1930s. Though it never reached full production or racing success, the Type 45 remains a fascinating chapter in the marque’s history for its advanced design and rarity.

At the heart of the Type 45 was a revolutionary 3.8-litre supercharged 16-cylinder engine. Essentially created by pairing two Type 35B straight-eight engines side by side, the powerplant was mounted in a common crankcase. This twin-engine concept was a bold engineering experiment aimed at achieving extraordinary performance, particularly for use in Grand Prix racing. The configuration produced impressive theoretical horsepower, though the engine proved complex and difficult to manage effectively.

The chassis used was a development of the Grand Prix-style layout, but with considerable modifications to accommodate the size and weight of the unusual powertrain. Suspension was by traditional Bugatti semi-elliptic leaf springs and rigid axles, but even with a robust design, the overall balance and handling were affected by the bulk and intricacy of the drivetrain. The car also featured a four-speed gearbox and cable-operated drum brakes on all four wheels.

Only a handful of Type 45 prototypes were built—some sources suggest as few as two. These cars were mainly used for testing and were never homologated for competitive racing. Though the engineering showed promise, reliability issues and the mechanical complexity of synchronizing the twin-engine setup meant that the project was eventually abandoned in favor of more conventional developments.

Visually, the Type 45 was very much in the spirit of Bugatti’s racing heritage. It featured a narrow, purposeful body with minimal bodywork, exposed mechanicals, and the iconic horseshoe grille. Its dramatic proportions and twin-cam powerplant made it a striking presence, even if it never fulfilled its competitive potential.

Today, the Type 45 is a rare and intriguing artifact from Bugatti’s golden era—a technical curiosity that reflected the brand’s fearless approach to pushing the limits of automotive engineering. Its legacy lives on as a symbol of creative risk-taking and the relentless pursuit of performance.