The Bugatti Type 46 was announced in the autumn of 1929. The new Bugatti chassis, at almost twelve feet in length and powered by an 8-cylinder engine of 5300cc, was intended to be the basis of a superlative large luxury car - and so it proved to be. Bodied by the greatest European coachbuilders to the highest standards of quality and style for rich and discerning clientele, the T46 was in many ways a smaller Royale and is said to have been the favourite of Ettore Bugatti. Later, an optional supercharger became available to create the 46S model.In 1930 the Bugatti Type 50 superseded the T46. The new model still used the T46's chassis and most of its running gear, but featured a new, high-performance, twin-overhead-camshaft engine of just under 5-litre capacity. This supercharged unit gave the T50 very spirited performance for such a large and luxurious car, placing the model firmly in the Grand Sport category.1931 saw a team of T50s take part in the Le Mans 24-Hour race, but the cars were withdrawn before the race finished after Rost's car crashed, tragically killing a spectator in the process.In total, fewer than five hundred T46 and T50 Bugattis were built in but, with the obvious exception of the Royale, these cars represented the pinnacle of luxury car manufacture for the famous Molsheim marque. See fabulous coachbuilt bodies by Gaston Grummer, Chapron, Ghia, James Young, Van Vooren, Weymann, Billeter & Cartier, Gangloff, Joss Neuce, Mllion-Guiet, Freestone & Webb, Van den Plas, Arthur Mulliner, Kellner, Lancefield, Corsica, Visse et Haf, Ottin, Brainsby-Woollard, Sodomka, Graber, Weinburger, Abbots of Farnham as well as Bugatti's standard bodies.Barrie Price's work is a concise history of the Bugatti Types 46 and 50, an engineering analysis and the most thorough survey yet of the many coachbuilt bodies fitted to these famous chassis. Appendices include a complete chassis listing and reproductions of promotional material produced by Bugatti, Bugatti agents and others."...a galaxy of superb coachbuilt and standard bodies on both chassis ..." - The Automobile"Barry price writes with great authority ...a fine collection of rare photographs and period advertising material ..." - Classic Car Weekly
About the AuthorBarrie Price, was the Chairman of the Bugatti Trust, now a Trustee, and is an acknowledged Bugatti expert.
ReviewsIn a word: excellent! Oldtimer Magazine/ Dreamcar Magazine This Veloce Classic has been reprinted after several years' absence; a concise illustrated history? Yes, but this book is so much more. ... If you share a passion for the offerings the famous French marque brought to the motoring world ... this reprint is a must Grant Ford - Freelance [A] wealth of information ... Bugattistes who missed the books the first time around will welcome these classic reprints. New Zealand Classic Car Bugatti aficionados will welcome the long-overdue reprinting of this third standard work in the series by Barrie Price on the great, even legendary, models of the beguiling pre-war French automotive producer Big End/All Torque Bugatti lovers, rejoice - two of the most coveted books on Ettore and Jean Bugatti's masterpieces have returned ... Libraries of new and experienced Bugattists alike require these volumes Old Cars Weekly A welcome addition to any Bugatti enthusiast's collection. Vintage Racecar/Vintage Roadcar essential Veloce Today another of Veloce Publishing's quality automotive books ... should be added to every Bugatti enthusiast's collection Pur Sang This is a fabulous book both in terms of writing and illustration. At last the Type 46 and the Type 50 have gained some long-overdue recognition.- On Magazine.
Book InformationISBN 9781845848729
Author Barrie PriceFormat Hardback
Page Count 144
Imprint VelocePublisher David & Charles
Weight(grams) 816g
Dimensions(mm) 250mm * 207mm * 18mm