Bugatti Type 101


The Bugatti Type 101 is a motor car made by Bugatti in 1951 and 1952. In order to restart production after World War II and the deaths of Ettore Bugatti and his son Jean, the Type 101 was developed from the pre-war Type 57. Seven chassis were built; these were bodied by four different coachbuilders:, Guilloré, Antem and Ghia, the last to a design by Virgil Exner. The 101 was powered by the 3.3 L straight-8 from the Type 57.

Production

Six Type 101 chassis were built after an initial converted Type 57 chassis prototype. At least two more Type 57s were also converted to Type 101 specifications, making a total of nine Type 101 cars produced.
The last Type 101 was built in 1965 by Ghia designed by Virgil Exner for the last remaining Type 101 chassis. It was exhibited at the Turin Motor Show in an attempt to revive the marque, but financing could not be arranged and production plans were scrapped. Exner owned the car for many years, and it has lately appeared in public at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.
YearChassis NumberBodyNotes
193557299Coupe
193557314Stelvio Cabriolet by GangloffConverted to Type 101 specification by the factory at the request of owner M. Dettwiler.
195157454Gangloff coupéThis car was built on a converted Type 57 chassis and exhibited at the 1951 Paris Salon. Currently at the Schlumpf Collection with engine 101503 installed. Pictured above.
1952101500Guillore 4-door saloonCream-colored, with free-standing headlights. Currently at the Schlumpf Collection.
1952101501Gangloff cabrioletExhibited at the 1952 Paris Salon. Light blue repainted dark blue. Formerly of the Auto & Technik Museum in Sinsheim, Germany. Owned by the Pantheon museum in Basel, Switzerland from 1988 to 2010, when Peter Mullin purchased it. Located at The Mullin Automotive Museum in Oxnard, California.
1952101502Guillorê 2-door coachDark blue with portholes, the body was possibly intended for a Delahaye. This was the only 101 body to feature separate wings instead of full-width bodywork. Sold for $269,265 at the Bonhams Rétromobile auction in Paris, 2008.
1952101503Gangloff cabrioletCurrently has engine 101504 installed and displayed at the Schlumpf Collection.
1951101504Antem coupéExhibited at the 1951 Paris Salon de l'Automobile but not sold until 1958. Owned by Bill Harrah and Nicolas Cage and now in the O'Quinn Collection since 2006.
1965101506Virgil Exner/Ghia roadsterGhia shortened the chassis by. Currently owned by William Lyon.

Engine

ModelYearEngineDisplacementPowerFuel system
T1011951straight-8 DOHC 16v3257 ccSingle carburetor
T101C1951straight-8 DOHC 16v3257 ccSingle carburetor, Roots supercharger