Description
The Bugatti Type 43 Roadster was a remarkable blend of performance and elegance, introduced in the late 1920s as a road-going sports car that shared much of its engineering DNA with Bugatti’s Grand Prix machines. It offered a thrilling driving experience wrapped in an attractive and practical open-top body, making it one of the most desirable sports cars of its time.
The Type 43 was powered by a supercharged 2.3-litre inline eight-cylinder engine, derived directly from the engine used in the Type 35B Grand Prix car. This engine produced around 120 horsepower, a substantial figure for the era, and gave the car impressive acceleration and a top speed of nearly 180 km/h (112 mph). The supercharger delivered smooth and responsive power throughout the rev range, making the Type 43 a delight to drive, especially on twisty country roads.
The chassis and suspension were also based on Bugatti’s racing heritage. The car featured a lightweight frame, semi-elliptic leaf spring suspension, and large drum brakes, allowing for agile handling and confident stopping power. Weighing in at around 1,000 kilograms, the Type 43 Roadster offered a superb power-to-weight ratio, giving it an edge over many contemporaries in both speed and handling.
The Roadster bodywork was stylish and purposeful. It typically featured a two-seat configuration with a long, low bonnet, cycle wings, and a gently sloping rear. The design balanced sporting intent with a degree of touring comfort, making it suitable for both spirited drives and longer journeys. Details like the exposed exhaust, wire wheels, and prominent horseshoe grille reinforced its sporting pedigree.
Inside, the cabin was minimal but refined, with clear instrumentation, a four-spoke steering wheel, and quality materials that reflected Bugatti’s attention to craftsmanship. While not overly luxurious, it offered everything a sportsman of the era would need to enjoy fast driving in style.
The Bugatti Type 43 Roadster remains an important model in the marque’s history, as it brought race-bred performance to the public road in a form that was both beautiful and usable. It set a standard for pre-war sports cars and helped solidify Bugatti’s reputation as a maker of high-performance machines for the discerning enthusiast.