1931 Bugatti Type 51 Dubos Coupe

1931 Bugatti Type 51 Dubos Coupe

This Bugatti Type 51 Coupe was originally built as a Bugatti factory team Grand Prix racer that was driven to great success by legendary French racing driver Louis Chiron. Chiron won the Monaco race in April 1931 and following the racing season, Bugatti gave the car to Chiron. Chiron sold the car and it was acquired by Parisian playboy Andre Bith who drove the car in rallys and sporting events. In 1937, Bith commissioned Louis Dubos to build an exciting and stylish aerodynamic coupe body for the Type 51. Bith was so pleased with the new body, he entered it in the 1937 Bagatelle Concours d'Elegance and scored a 2nd overall. Bith sold the car and lost track of it during WWII.

The car changed hands several times until located by the present owner who, with the help of 90-year-old Andre Bith, was able to restore it with its original Grand Prix racer body with a replica body by renowned Bugatti authority O.A. Phillips.

The car is powered by a dual-overhead-cam, 8-cylinder, 2.3L (136.5 cubic inch) engine, developing 185 horsepower.


Descriptions & pictures by conceptcarz & hemmings & justacarguy & mycarquest & auto-blog & ultimatecarpage & flickr by Mr: Craig Howell & Mr: Steve Sexton

Specification
Production Start 1931
Country of origin Italy