The descriptions of the Classic Cars in the Directory were partly generated or supplemented with the help of artificial intelligence (AI). The content may occasionally not always be entirely accurate or factually correct despite careful checking.
The Bugatti Type 55 1932 is an extraordinary historic car that took the world by storm upon its release. This car was designed to be a class apart, not just in terms of its design and appearance but also in terms of its technical specifications. The Bugatti Type 55 1932 is a two-seater sports car that was launched by Bugatti in 1931 at the Paris Motor Show. The Type 55 was created to echo the design of successful racing cars, and with an impressive top speed of 118 mph, it did not disappoint.
The Bugatti Type 55 1932 is powered by a 2.3-liter straight eight engine that is capable of delivering an impressive 135 horsepower, a considerable amount of power for the time. The engine had a displacement of 2,262cc and featured a single overhead camshaft, four valves per cylinder, and a Roots-type supercharger. The unique design of the supercharger allowed the car to extract more performance from the relatively small engine, making it extremely fast and agile.
The Type 55 1932 had a four-speed manual transmission and was rear-wheel drive. It was equipped with drum brakes on all four wheels, which were state-of-the-art for the time, and made it stop on a dime when compared to other cars of its era. The car rides on its original four-wheel solid-axle suspension system, with a beam axle in the front and a live axle in the rear. This type of suspension was typical for cars of this era and provided a comfortable ride, even on rough roads.
The Bugatti Type 55 1932 had a top speed of 118 mph, and, thanks to the car's supercharger, it reached 60 mph from a standstill in just 10 seconds. This made it one of the fastest cars on the road during its time. The car also had a fuel consumption of around 10-15 miles per gallon, which was reasonable for the era.
The exterior of the Type 55 1932 was a work of automotive art. It had an aerodynamic body design that featured a long hood and curved front fenders. The car was fitted with a set of 18-inch center-lock wire wheels, which were light in weight and provided excellent grip to the car. The unique two-tone color scheme, with blue bodywork and black fenders, gave the car a distinctive and classic look that stands the test of time.
The Bugatti Type 55 1932 is an exceptional piece of automotive history. Its technical specifications are even more impressive, given that the car was built almost 90 years ago. Its combination of design and performance made it an icon of its time, and it continues to be a sought-after car for collectors around the world.
Milestones
- Introduced at the Paris Salon in October 1931 as the successor to the Type 43 - Only 38 Type 55s were produced between 1931-1935 - Powered by a 2.3-liter straight-eight engine that produced 130 horsepower - First example, chassis 55201, was sold to the Maharaja of Rajkot in India - Featured a revised chassis, improved brakes, and a top speed of over 100 mph - Offered in two body styles: the road-going "Grand Sport" and the race-focused "Super Sport" - Won various races including the 1932 24 Hours of Le Mans in the hands of Louis Chiron and Count Guy Bouriat-Quintart - Some examples were fitted with a supercharger for increased performance - Various modifications were made to individual cars by their owners, resulting in slight variations in specifications - Highly sought-after by collectors today, with examples selling for millions of dollars at auction.Technical
- Produced between 1932 and 1935 - Two-seater sports car - Powered by a 2.3-liter DOHC straight-eight engine - Produced 130 horsepower - Equipped with a four-speed manual transmission - Weight of 1,800 pounds - Top speed of approximately 115 miles per hour - Featured advanced technology for its time, including hydraulic brakes and an independent front suspension - Only 38 Type 55s were produced, making it a highly sought-after and rare collector's item today.CLASSIC CAR MATCHER