Description

The Bugatti Type 55 Roadster stands as one of the most beautiful and technically accomplished sports cars of the early 1930s. Introduced in 1931, it was Ettore Bugatti’s vision of a road-going sports car that inherited the power and pedigree of the company’s Grand Prix racers, but with the refinement and elegance suitable for long-distance touring.

At the heart of the Type 55 was a detuned version of the twin overhead camshaft 2.3-liter supercharged straight-eight engine originally developed for the Type 51 Grand Prix car. In the Roadster, it produced around 130 horsepower, which was plenty to propel the lightweight chassis to speeds exceeding 170 km/h. A four-speed gearbox and a rigid rear axle provided a direct and engaging driving experience, while the car’s low-slung proportions enhanced its dynamic handling.

The most iconic body style of the Type 55 is the two-seat roadster penned by Jean Bugatti, Ettore’s son. With its low profile, long flowing fenders, cut-down doors, and signature boat-tail rear, it is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful automotive designs of the pre-war era. The proportions were perfectly judged, combining sportiness with elegance, and the car became an instant favorite among wealthy sportsmen and connoisseurs.

Only 38 Type 55 chassis were produced, and a small number of those received the original Jean Bugatti-designed roadster body. These cars were built with meticulous attention to detail, featuring fine leather interiors, clean instrument panels, and coachwork that balanced form with performance. The Type 55 Roadster was equally at home on a twisting mountain road or displayed at a concours d’elegance.

Today, the Bugatti Type 55 Roadster is revered not just as a collectible, but as a rolling sculpture—one of the purest expressions of pre-war automotive art. Its combination of racing heritage, mechanical sophistication, and timeless beauty ensures its place among the most treasured classic cars in the world.