Description

The Bugatti Type 47 was an experimental prototype developed during the early 1930s, envisioned as a potential evolution of Bugatti’s luxury touring lineup. Though it never entered production, the Type 47 represents an intriguing glimpse into Bugatti’s engineering ambitions at a time when the marque was simultaneously producing both high-performance sports cars and opulent grand tourers.

Intended as a successor or alternative to the Type 46 and its lowered variant, the Type 46S, the Type 47 was built on a similar but larger and more robust chassis. It featured a 5.4-litre straight-eight engine, consistent with the Type 46, but adapted for a dual rear-wheel configuration, suggesting a vision for a heavier or more stable platform. The car was also designed with a more complex drivetrain and suspension system, hinting at an aim to refine ride quality and handling further than previous models.

Unlike many of Bugatti’s prototypes that were purely conceptual, at least one Type 47 chassis was constructed, and it is believed to have been tested, though not extensively. The chassis design and mechanical layout suggest that it may have been intended for use as a limousine, long-wheelbase saloon, or possibly even for light commercial or utility applications—an unusual direction for Bugatti.

No coachbuilt bodies were officially fitted to the Type 47, and it never made it beyond the experimental phase. Much of what is known comes from factory records and engineering notes. The dual rear-wheel layout, in particular, set it apart from any other Bugatti model of the era and reflects Ettore Bugatti’s continuous desire to innovate—even in segments far removed from the track.

Today, the Type 47 remains an obscure yet fascinating footnote in Bugatti history, remembered primarily by enthusiasts and historians as an ambitious but ultimately unrealized step in the brand’s evolution.