Bugatti 1932 - 1933 , Hardtop in 1932!!!

[Walt G]

This 3 litre Bugatti had 8 cylinders and a 4 door hardtop body. I do not know the coach builder but am almost positive it was on display at the 1932 Paris Salon .  I have a list of exhibitors for that salon , that notes Bugatti did not have its own exhibit space but there were many coach builders who had their work on display . The show would feature new cars for 1933 although it took place in October of 1932. Notice how thin the thickness of the doors are. ( less weight meant that there was less bulk to get the car to go as fast as possible ) Many more photographs of the Motor Shows and Salons in Crankshaft magazine # 2 now available , I did a specific story on that topic for it with 12 pages of images/photographs all of the era.

Walt

[Peter Gariepy]

WOW... what a car!

[edinmass]

Walt, I have seen the almost identical body on a Lancia V-12. It was L&M. The build quality was particularly poor. Even with the thin doors, the hinges were failing. Notice the lack of a center pillar in the passenger side.

 

Letourneur & Marchand 

Edited June 29, 2021 by edinmass (see edit history)

[8E45E]

The Fiat 508 Balilla sedan also had pillarless construction:  1938 Fiat 508 | Classic Driver Market

 

And I believe the MG Magnette K1 pre-dated the Fiat:  MG KN SALOON | The MG Owners' Club (mgownersclub.co.uk)

 

Bonhams : 1933 MG Magnette K1 Saloon Project Chassis no. K0370

 

Craig

 

 

 

 

Edited June 30, 2021 by 8E45E (see edit history)

[58L-Y8]

Walt:

Don't forget the prototype 1933 DeSoto Foursome pillarless sedan.   Anyone have a photo of the interior with the doors open?

[1937hd45]

Really liked this one in the Gooding auction at Pebble Beach. Affordable for the home restorer. Bob 

[nzcarnerd]

On 6/30/2021 at 8:20 AM, Walt G said:

This 3 litre Bugatti had 8 cylinders and a 4 door hardtop body. I do not know the coach builder but am almost positive it was on display at the 1932 Paris Salon .  I have a list of exhibitors for that salon , that notes Bugatti did not have its own exhibit space but there were many coach builders who had their work on display . The show would feature new cars for 1933 although it took place in October of 1932. Notice how thin the thickness of the doors are. ( less weight meant that there was less bulk to get the car to go as fast as possible ) Many more photographs of the Motor Shows and Salons in Crankshaft magazine # 2 now available , I did a specific story on that topic for it with 12 pages of images/photographs all of the era.

Walt

 

Going by the wheels and the general large size of the car I think this might be a Type 46, or one of its derivatives, which used the 'big block' straight eight of 5 litres plus.

 

Bugatti Type 46 - Wikipedia

 

Seeing the large rear seat armrest in the Bugatti reminds me of the similar fitment in the Thrupp and Maberley bodied Rolls-Royce PIII that a friend owns. It doesn't make entry to the back seat very easy.  

[twin6]

Walt, I have it on good authority the Bugatti is a type 49 with Gangloff body. Thanks for posting it.