1932 Bugatti Type 55 Roadster

Type 55 Roadster image

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The Bugatti Type 55 Roadster 1932 is a classic and rare sports car from the French automobile manufacturer, Bugatti. With its elegant and sleek design, the Type 55 Roadster 1932 is a standout in the world of vintage cars. This car is a masterpiece of engineering, packed with some of the most advanced technical features of its time.

The Bugatti Type 55 Roadster 1932 features a supercharged engine that produces an impressive 135 horsepower, which was considered a significant amount of power in the 1930s. The engine is a 2.3-litre straight-eight, which was one of the most advanced engines of its time, with double overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder and a Roots-type supercharger. The supercharger provides additional power that makes the Type 55 Roadster 1932 one of the fastest cars of its time. It can accelerate from 0 to 60 miles per hour in just over 9 seconds and has a top speed of 118 miles per hour, which is still remarkable even by modern standards.

The Type 55 Roadster 1932 features a four-speed manual transmission, which was also advanced for its time. The transmission allows drivers to shift smoothly and quickly, with the ratio spread providing excellent performance when driving at different speeds. The chassis of the car is a refined version of the Type 51 design and provides excellent handling and stability, making the car easy to drive, even at high speeds.

The exterior design of the car is what makes it truly remarkable. The designers of the Bugatti Type 55 Roadster 1932 paid great attention to detail, creating a stunning design that still looks impressive today. The car is fitted with a handcrafted body, made from lightweight aluminum, which is both aerodynamic and stylish. The wheelbase is shorter than the Type 51's, with a length of 2745 mm, providing better maneuverability and drivability. The car also features custom accessories such as the famous horseshoe grille, chrome-beaded fenders and headlights integrated into the fenders.

Inside the car, the designers have kept the focus on comfort and style. The dashboard is equipped with a range of gauges and instruments, including a tachometer, speedometer and oil pressure gauge, which provide drivers with all the essential information they need to keep the car running smoothly. The seats are upholstered in premium leather, which provides exceptional comfort and style, and the steering wheel is wrapped in leather for a better grip.

Overall, the Bugatti Type 55 Roadster 1932 is a perfect combination of engineering, design, and performance. While the car is rare today, it is a testament to the craftsmanship of Bugatti and the ingenuity of the engineers who worked on it. Today, it remains a highly sought-after classic car, cherished by collectors and enthusiasts in the world of vintage automobiles.

Milestones

-Idea to create a successor model to the successful Bugatti Type 43 was born.

-Design created by Ettore Bugatti and first presented in Paris in 1931.

-Production began in 1932 with a total of 38 units.

-Engine was based on the Type 51, a 2.3-liter, 8-cylinder in-line, supercharged engine.

-Maximum speed was 180 km/h.

-Featured a 4-speed manual gearbox and four-wheel drum brakes.

-Bodywork was designed by Jean Bugatti and executed by the coachbuilders at the factory in Molsheim.

-The Type 55 was the first Bugatti to feature hydraulic shock absorbers.

-Only three examples were produced with a supercharger.

-The most notable Type 55 Roadster is chassis 55201, which was owned by Ettore Bugatti himself and used as his personal car for many years.



Technical

- Manufacturer: Bugatti

  • Model: Type 55
  • Production years: 1932-1935
  • Body style: Roadster
  • Engine: 2.3L supercharged inline-8 engine
  • Horsepower: 135 hp
  • Top Speed: 118 mph
  • Transmission: 4-speed manual
  • Wheelbase: 2,980mm (117.3 in)
  • Curb weight: 1,000 kg (2,200 lb)
  • Suspension: Front and rear independent, with quarter-elliptical leaf springs
  • Brakes: Four-wheel hydraulic drum
  • Steering: Worm and sector gear
  • Fuel capacity: 54 liters (14 gal)
  • Designed by: Jean Bugatti
  • Number of units produced: 38
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