#Bugatti type 51

[timelessvehicles]

Bugatti Type 51 Grand Prix Champion Gets a Parisian-tailored Winter Suit

The wonderful history of this charismatic car, Nethercutt’s 1931 Bugatti, is significant in both motorsport and automotive design worlds. Having won the Monaco Grand Prix for the Bugatti factory team in the race’s 3rd year of existence, driven to victory by none other than Louis Chiron, was just the opening act for this Type 51.  Today, hypercar enthusiasts know the 2023 Bugatti Chiron as the multimillion dollar successor of the Veyron, named after the 1930s champion driver. After proving its agility on many tracks, Grands Prix and rallies, with such legendary drivers as Chiron and Rene Dreyfus piloting, sn (serial number) 51133 was eventually purchased for slightly less competitive use, along the ‘Allee des Acacias’/ in the Bois de Boulogne in Paris where young gentleman drivers showed off their latest sports cars.  According to Pierre-Yves Laugier, Bugatti Owners Club???? Interestingly, the coupé creator’s family’s railway carriage factory location ultimately became the Citroën factories and competitive driver Bith benefited from his father’s role as head doctor for the Paris Police - something that may have been helpful on occasion. Bith enjoyed a close relationship with his family and explains he never once had an accident!

With a love for speed, driving precision and engineering, 26-year-old heir André Bith would’ve known the barely distinguishable visual differences between the Type 35B and its successor, the Type 51. The DOHC, inline 8-cylinder (hemispherical) supercharged 2.3 liter motor produced 180hp, reaching speeds of 140mph in race trim!  It was among the most powerful and tough racing engines of the 1930s, often making up over 2/3s of the entries in 1930s Grands Prix. The engine bay showed off demascened, engine-turned finishes and right angles, appearing artistically inspired by the contemporary art movement of Cubism.  However, historian Griff Borgeson explains that “the Boss” (as company founder Ettore Bugatti was known), ‘would have no waste of materials nor effort.’  Of the 40 Type 51 and 51A produced, only 23 are known today, the other 17 were perhaps destroyed in war - or absconded in such chaos.

Nethercutt’s sn 51133 survived both world wars and thanks to their thoughtful stewardship, was reunited not only with its Parisian tailored finery but also its doting owner who originally commissioned the alluring coupé ‘build’ back in 1937.  At age 91, Bith fondly remembered driving the open, spartan 1931 racecar he purchased in 1935. Its pedigree already established having been driven to team victories and then owned by the dashing, scarf-wearing celebrity driver, Louis Chiron, who received the car as payment from ‘The Boss.’ The cold French winter of 1936 had Bith looking for a solution and he found inspiration in his pal Jean Bugatti’s Type 57SC Atlantic when they met for lunches.  Notably there were just 4 Atlantics built on a wheelbase longer than the Type 51, between 1936 and 1938.  The 2010 transaction for nearly $40million made it the most valuable car in the world - and one remains missing…

Bith began sketching with designer friend André Rolland.  They found lightweight Duralumin was the latest and greatest material but at the time but few had worked with it.  They were delighted to find an Italian craftsman at Dubos Carrosserie was eager and competent to work with new aluminum alloy’s lightweight, high mechanical resistance.  Dubos agreed to do the project for just 20,000 FRF- IF Bith committed to putting the car in many concours and design/styling competitions.  Bith explained to “Bugatti Magnum” Hugh Conway that he paid 18,000 FRF to Chiron in 1935 for the 1931 racecar.  His mechanic Mr. Schaeffer spoke highly of the brothers Dubos, and did some modifications such as centering the gear lever on the box, fitting a Citroën TAV handbrake to the aluminum dashboard and adding a dynamo to charge the battery. Bith specified seats, not a bench, and no speedometer - the result was a far more uniquely tailored and useful car than a brand new Type 51 which would’ve cost 165,000 FRF then.  One USD bought 22.24 French francs in April of 1937 equating to USD $7,419.- which is ironically about the same factor as the inflation rate change from then to now.  $1 then purchases about as much as $21 today, making today’s prices 20.96 times higher. A new Type 51 today might be priced between $155,000 to $165,000 IF the car market remained the same, however, one new Bugatti Chiron model today is priced at USD $3.25million!

In April of 1937 Dubos began work on sn 51133 near The Boss’s preferred coach builder at Rue de Debaracdere, in Paris’ District XVII, on Rue de Sablonville - so they might’ve shared talent and materials. Dubos was respected for bodying Talbot Lago, Delahaye, Renault and Avions Voisin - such as what won Amelia this year. The Carrossier would have no issue expediting a 6-year-old racecar turned coupé - since the brand new Bugattis were bodied nearby.  The Nethercutts wisely and fortunately were able to involve Bith in everything possible from historic documentation to even locating a steering wheel affectionately mounted on Bith’s wall.  After owning a great many wonderful cars, Bith calls sn 51133 his Queen and came across an interesting discovery at the Bagatelle Concours of 1991. The same contest which his car won in 1937, shown by Miss France who wore a Drecolle dress the same violet blue as the car.  A fellow who stood admiring one of the world’s 4 Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic - the very car that inspired Bith originally - shared information about the disposition of his long lost Dubos coupé. It was now cherished by a fellow who enjoyed driving it in his Colorado Grand event, and once again, after being painted, black, white and black again, bore a similar violet-blue paint color as when Bith sold it. 

The Type 51’s diminutive racing footprint needed an enclosure that wouldn’t slow it down much but would keep Bith and his ladyfriend warm as they sped up to 130mph outside Paris in the wintertime… Decades of using hammers and rollers enabled the Neuilly-sur-Seine facility to beautifully execute the hood and fenders in Duralumin, thanks to their Italian talent, and the body in lightweight steel.  Bith was true to his word and entered the car not only in the Bagatelle but also Ponte d’Auteuil Concours d’Elegance and the Motor Exhibition of October 1937 at Earls Court, not to mention the Paris-Nice Rally et al.  The Dubos coupé was featured in the October issue of “The Autocar” and the November issue “The Automobile Engineer” according to Pierre-Yves Laugier who explains it featured a Type 57 steering shell.  Referring to it as the “Bugatti 57 Sport” he explains it was incorrectly attributed to Saoutchik in the magazine articles of 1937, no doubt of great consternation to Dubos. Bith was heartbroken when, in 1938 a gas attendant filled the tank with ordinary rather than super, and his attempt to remediate the mistake, seemed instead to ruin the engine.  The car was sold and began to suffer.

The chassis retained value to various drivers and collectors while some appreciate the Dubos body which was separated from the car in the 50s and became a Pebble winner in its own right, with faithfully fabricated chassis and engine.  Nethercutts were thrilled to relocate the body in 2000 at a Monterey auction and set about reuniting sn 51133 with its custom tailored, Atlantic-inspired, lightweight, tastefully finned Parisian suit. It is worth noting how Nethercutt’s curator Skip Marketti has dutifully communicated with the variety of owners, drivers and restorers relevant to this car - taking a thoughtfully objective, investigative approach to information gathering as restoration decisions were deliberated.  What may seem overly tedious in some contexts is wise when the rarity, design excellence and accomplishments of a vehicle deserves a level of scrutiny that’s more museum-like or archival sciences while a more artistic, expressive approach may be appropriate in another project.  In fact, the interests of a brand or cities’ industrial history can come into play when very rare, valuable works uniquely represent a nation’s contribution.  Some collectors have even wondered whether a nation could invent reasons to require the repatriation of a particular collectible - all of which we mention simply to honor the stewardship and recognize the different sorts of context faced by restoration projects. Family honor can always play a role in such endeavors - inspiring great record-keeping, accuracy and quality at every step of the process.

[sarahmeier]

31 Bugatti T51

[frenchcurious]

Bugatti Type 51 Dubos Coupe 1931. - source Cars & Motorbikes Stars of the Golden era.

[les-belles-mecaniques]

1931 Bugatti Type 51 Grand Prix

[side-wayz]

Bugatti Type 51

[cadoretjerome]

Bugatti Type 55 cabriolet Vanvooren 1932 at Chantilly arts et élégance 2022 supercar rallye

Bugatti Type 55 cabriolet Vanvooren 1932

MULTI-TALENTS

Toutes les Bugatti étaient sportives (à part le Type 41, et encore ), toutes les Bugatti de route étaient luxueuses de fait. Les Type 55 attiraient les carrossiers comme ici Vanvooren, qui leur offraient de belles tenues de plaisance, mais leur plus grande beauté venait de la course: voyez ces roues forgees, ceux des Type 35 et 51 de Grand Prix. De fait leur personnalité était multiple composite et ce beau cabriolet s'est offert le luxe de courir, et de gagner la toute première édition du rallye Lyon-Charbonnières

📸 Jérôme Cadoret, texte Le Point

[misterlemonztenth]

02-25-24 | 1931 Bugatti Type 51 Dubos Coupe. misterlemonztenth.tumblr.com/archive

[jci07]

Inspired by the 20th century heroics of legendary racing driver, Louis Chiron, the CHIRON Pur Sport Grand Prix from the BUGATTI Sur Mesure customization program beautifully fuses the brand’s victorious motorsport legacy within a modern hyper sports car that redefines the parameters of lateral performance.

On this CHIRON Pur Sport Grand Prix example, recently delivered to its new owner at @BUGATTI.Katowice, the iconic number ‘32’ is used to great effect, connecting the past with the present, with the same number having adorned Chiron’s winning BUGATTI Type 51 that took first place in the 1931 French Grand Prix in Monaco.

The meticulously hand-painted ‘32’ deftly compliments the stunning combination of Matt Black Carbon and Matt Jet Grey for the exterior of the CHIRON. The fading ‘EB’ painted pattern, applied by hand, adds an emotional finish to the car.

[photos-car]

Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport Grand Prix 2021

Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport Grand Prix est une pièce unique peinte à la main.

Le premier véhicule créé à la suite du nouveau programme de personnalisation est la Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport « Grand Prix ». Il s'inspire des exploits du pilote automobile Louis Chiron. Galerie / Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport Grand Prix

La toute nouvelle Chiron Pur Sport « Grand Prix » en est un parfait exemple. Le Pur Sport sur mesure s'inspire de « l'héroïsme du 20e siècle du célèbre pilote de course Louis Chiron ». La livrée spéciale avec le lettrage 32 peint à la main sur les portes est un clin d'œil à la voiture de course Type 51. Elle a remporté la victoire au Grand Prix de France 1931 par Louis Chiron et Achille Varzi. Bugatti a créé deux nouvelles couleurs Pour l'extérieur, Bugatti a créé deux nouvelles couleurs pour le « Grand Prix ». Elle s'inspires des voitures de course des années 20 et 30. Regardez attentivement et vous remarquerez le motif EB peint à la main sur les graphismes des ailes rouge foncé contrastant avec la carrosserie bleu clair avec les parties inférieures en fibre de carbone nue. À l'intérieur, il y a beaucoup d'Alcantara! une incrustation en aluminium anodisé noir pour la console centrale! une inscription argentée peinte à la main! des accents rouges! un lettrage Grand Prix sur la console centrale et un motif EB similaire sur les panneaux de porte. La voiture hypersportive ultime Hendrik Malinowski, directeur général des ventes et du marketing de Bugatti, a déclaré ; « Pendant de nombreuses années! nous avons travaillé avec nos clients pour créer leur propre vision personnelle de la voiture hypersportive ultime. Cela a toujours été un processus hautement personnalisé! mais comme un nombre toujours croissant de nos clients demandent une personnalisation détaillée et complexe! le lancement de Bugatti Sur Mesure garantira que nous pouvons répondre à leurs désirs avec le niveau de détail parfait requis d'une Bugatti. Nos clients sont souvent profondément intrigués par la lignée Bugatti du sport automobile! et il est normal que la première commission Sur Mesure rende hommage à l'une de nos grandes icônes de course.  Nous sommes tellement séduits par cette création que nous avons l'intention de mettre de nombreuses idées de ce client à la disposition d'un plus grand nombre de nos clients avec la Chiron Pur Sport. Bugatti termine actuellement la production de la Chiron, avec moins de 40 unités disponibles restantes. Tous étant des  modèles Chiron Pur Sport  et Chiron Super Sport. Les intéressés devront plonger dans leurs poches pour les acquérir! surtout s'ils optent pour quelque chose d'encore plus spécial avec le programme Bugatti Sur Mesure. En résumé : - Nouvelle Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 2021 : une version plus aérodynamique et plus puissante de la Chiron, capable d’atteindre les 440 km/h, pour un prix de 3,2 millions d’euros. - Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport : une version plus agile et plus radicale de la Chiron, optimisée pour les routes sinueuses, avec un châssis plus rigide, des jantes en magnésium, des pneus Michelin Sport Cup 2R et un mode de conduite ESC Sport Plus. - Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport ‘Grand Prix’ : une édition spéciale de la Pur Sport, inspirée par les couleurs historiques de Bugatti, qui a fait ses débuts publics au Top Marques Monaco en avril 2022. Tous les autres modèles Bugatti : Read the full article

[klemcoll]

To the Victor the Spoils of Success

We love this iconic finishing photo of Louis Chiron offering the checkered flag to Jackie Stewart in his BRM P261. The occasion was the Monaco Grand Prix on May 22, 1966. Chiron was one of Monte Carlo’s most famous motor racing figures, having won this race in 1931 with a Bugatti Type 51 and competed at the Grand Prix level many times. Jackie Stewart gave credence to the old saying that to finish…

[carsthatnevermadeitetc]

What a difference 90 years makes juxtaposition of Bugatti Type 51, 1931 & Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport Grand Prix Edition, 2021. Bugatti's new bespoke Sur Mesure customisation program has unveiled its first customer project, inspired by Louis Chiron's legendary 1931 win at the French Grand Prix, together with Achille Varzi, in a Bugatti Type 51 emblazoned with the number '32'.

[frenchcurious]

Bugatti Type 51 Grand Prix 1933. - source Amazing classic Cars.

[watchilove]

Bugatti returns to GP Ice Race over 60 years after its maiden appearance

Bugatti returns to GP Ice Race over 60 years after its maiden appearance

[radracer]

Bugatti Type 51 (cgi build)

[crownedstoat]

Bugatti Dubos Coupe

[coolthingsguyslike]