Bugatti Type 55

The Bugatti Type 55 was a sports car built by Bugatti from 1932 to 1935 as a road-going version of the Type 51 Grand Prix car. It was introduced at the 1931 Paris Motor Show, where the first car was later bought by the Duke of La Trémoille, and 38 were made in total, the last delivered on 30 July 1935. Its engine was a detuned 2.3 litre two-valve twin overhead camshaft straight-eight with a Roots-type supercharger, producing 130 horsepower at 5,000 rpm, paired with a four-speed gearbox from the Type 49 with straight-cut gears and the signature eight-spoke aluminium wheels. Most had factory bodies designed by Jean Bugatti, with 16 two-seat roadsters and seven coupes among the 38, but none of the factory cars had doors, so reviewers criticised the car for its lack of practicality and its noise.