Bugatti is easily one of the most recognizable brands in the automotive world. This high status is particularly thanks to its superfast hypercars, like the Veyron and the Chiron. These hypercars are among the fastest in the world, with many other cars hoping to surpass them.
But the Veyron and the Chiron aren’t the only cars that belonged to the stable called Bugatti. After all, founder Ettore Bugatti established the carmaker in 1909 or around 113 years before 2022. Even before the breakout of World War II, Bugatti was already busy building various race and road cars, some of which have become legends and icons in their own right.
Sadly, though, only a few of these pre-war Bugatti still exist today. That isn’t surprising, considering that the previous world war started in the late 1930s. A lot of things have happened since then, but a few pre-war Bugatti cars managed to survive the test of time – thanks to one man who dedicated his life to collecting these rare cars while completely researching their stories.
These pre-war cars are now returning home to Bugatti, thanks to a long negotiation that finally convinced Hans Matti to give up his collection to the famous French luxury carmaker.
Pre-War Bugatti Cars Find Their Way Home
Matti’s Bugatti pre-war collection is an extraordinary one. Each of the five cars in the collection -- a Bugatti Type 51, Type 37A, a short chassis Type 49 Faux cabriolet, a Type 35B, and a Type 35A fitted with a Type 36 engine -- has a legend to tell. Matti purchased all of them from their original owners, making these Bugatti cars a once-in-a-lifetime collection.
Because of the value of these cars in Matti’s heart, the Registrar of the Bugatti Club Suisse was unwilling to part with them. In fact, according to Bugatti, it took two years and a half before they were able to convince Matti to a purchase agreement. The carmaker even had to involve Caroline Bugatti -- granddaughter of Ettore – in the discussions just to make Matti agree to a transfer of ownership.
Interestingly, all five pre-war Bugatti are in their original, unrestored condition, making more a representative of the carmaker’s rich history. Once the parties secured the deal, the carmaker gathered them at the home of Bugatti at Château Saint Jean, which Ettore acquired to serve as a place where he would entertain his customers.
Bugatti Type 51: A Real Grand Prix Racer
Headlining Matti’s extraordinary collection is a Bugatti Type 51, which the carmaker believes is one of the most original in existence. It’s a dedicated factory Grand Prix racing machine that Louis Chiron had driven in the period. Interestingly, the Type 51 in the collection started its life as one of the last Type 35Bs that came out of the factory.
Bugatti then developed a new advanced twin-cam engine and swapped engine #1 into this car. This effectively made this car one of the very first Type 51. Achille Varzi and other contemporary motorsport heroes drove this Type 51 in races, including Monaco, Monza, and Targa Florio.
Interestingly, when Bugatti removed the car’s original engine (as a Type 35B), the factory installed the mill into another Type 35B, which is also part of this collection. Bugatti sold that 35B as a new car. Despite all the nine decades in its life, this Bugatti Type 51 never underwent any restoration or repainting job. That marks it gained during its racing year still lives on, making the car more valuable than ever.
Rare Type 49 Served As Personal Car of Jean Bugatti
Meanwhile, the Type 49 in the collection served as the personal car of Jean Bugatti. As proof, it even has the initials ‘JB’ on the doors. This car is quite distinct from other Type 49s, simply because it wears a very exclusive body.
The Bugatti factory designed and built the body – in a unique Faux Cabriolet body design of this rare Type 49. Interestingly, the Type 51 and Type 49 rode on the same transporter during their delivery to their first owners.
Vintage Supercharged Bugattis: Type 35A And Type 37A
On the other hand, the collection's original Type 35 comes assembled with an engine having its own love story with the Type 36. A car model that Bugatti built to race at the Montlhéry track in France, Type 36 featured a rigid rear axle to allow it to better handle the circuit. The carmaker ultimately built only two variants, the latter of which became the first Bugatti to feature a supercharger.
Both Type 36s didn’t live long, and Bugatti decided to transplant the engine – along with the transmission and rear axle – into the Type 35A that is part of this extraordinary collection. Completing the collection is a Type 37A, which supercharged beginnings started with the Type 36. Originally a non-supercharged, this Type 37A remains in fully original condition with matching numbers.
It featured a potent four-cylinder engine that allows it to achieve a top speed of more than 120 mph. Interestingly, Bugatti only supercharged 76 examples, and these cars became a regular fixture at Le Mans, the Mille Miglia, and the Targa Florio.
Source: Bugatti