Type 55
Unveiled at the 1931 Paris Motor Show, the Bugatti Type 55 brought much of Molsheim’s Grand Prix technology to the road. Its 2.3-liter supercharged straight-eight was derived from the Type 51 racing engine, but it was installed in a chassis intended for road use. Jean Bugatti designed several of the model’s most recognizable bodies, including a two-seat roadster with flowing wings and the marque’s horseshoe radiator grille. The Type 55 is often referred to as the Super Sport, although it was not a modern-style range with multiple trim levels. Contemporary and historical Bugatti sources generally place total production at 38 chassis through 1935. These cars received both roadster and coupé bodies, supplied either by Bugatti or by independent coachbuilders.
Variants by year
1931
Model summary
Data from the ScanRacer library, organized to compare versions quickly.
Model introduction
Unveiled at the 1931 Paris Motor Show, the Bugatti Type 55 brought much of Molsheim’s Grand Prix technology to the road. Its 2.3-liter supercharged straight-eight was derived from the Type 51 racing engine, but it was installed in a chassis intended for road use. Jean Bugatti designed several of the model’s most recognizable bodies, including a two-seat roadster with flowing wings and the marque’s horseshoe radiator grille. The Type 55 is often referred to as the Super Sport, although it was not a modern-style range with multiple trim levels. Contemporary and historical Bugatti sources generally place total production at 38 chassis through 1935. These cars received both roadster and coupé bodies, supplied either by Bugatti or by independent coachbuilders.
History
The Type 55 emerged at a time when Bugatti was bringing its road cars closer to its racing machinery. The model was unveiled at the 1931 Paris Motor Show with mechanical components closely related to the Type 51 Grand Prix car. Its twin-cam straight-eight displaced approximately 2.3 liters and used a supercharger. Road-car output is commonly quoted at about 130 horsepower, while Bugatti historical material has also cited figures of up to 160 horsepower for certain descriptions. These numbers should be treated cautiously because settings and individual cars could differ. The Type 55 also incorporated chassis and suspension ideas associated with Bugatti’s competition cars, while using equipment suited to road driving. Early examples are strongly associated with bodies designed by Jean Bugatti, but customers could order a rolling chassis or commission an independent coachbuilder. As a result, roadsters, coupés and bespoke bodies appeared during the model’s life. Production remained extremely limited: Bugatti sources give a total of 38 cars built through 1935. The car displayed at the 1931 Paris show is generally identified as chassis 55201, making it an important reference point in the model’s history.
Generations
The Bugatti Type 55 does not break down into generations in the modern automotive sense. Its short career belongs to one technical family, introduced in 1931 and built through 1935 according to historical sources. The 1931 date is particularly associated with the model’s public debut and early chassis, while several cars were delivered or bodied during the following years. The most obvious variations concern bodywork rather than a clearly documented sequence of mechanical generations. Jean Bugatti created the best-known two-seat roadster, identified by its low stance, sweeping wings and frequently contrasting two-tone treatment. Coupés were also produced. Other Type 55 chassis were sent to independent coachbuilders, which accounts for differences in door arrangements, windscreen designs, wing profiles and overall proportions among surviving cars. The name “Super Sport” is widely used for the model, but available sources do not describe a formal range of generations or trim levels comparable with those of a modern production car. For historical identification, the chassis number, bodywork and documented ownership history are therefore more informative than the model year alone. The single 1931 base entry in the ScanRacer context should consequently be understood as a catalogue entry, not as evidence of a separate factory generation.
Key differences
Differences between Type 55 cars do not correspond to a clearly documented system of factory trim levels. Their common foundation was a 2.3-liter twin-cam supercharged straight-eight installed in a road-oriented chassis strongly influenced by Bugatti’s racing technology. The major variations came from the bodywork and the specification ordered by each customer. Factory roadsters associated with Jean Bugatti have a low, cohesive appearance, with sweeping wings and a distinctive two-seat layout. Some examples had few or no conventional doors, while bodies supplied by outside coachbuilders could add doors, alter the windscreen or change the seating arrangement. Coupés are most easily separated by their fixed roof and enclosed passenger compartment. Published power figures also vary, from approximately 130 horsepower for the road-going specification to higher figures quoted for particular configurations. Those numbers should not be used alone to identify an individual car. Chassis number, body style, coachbuilder and documented history are more dependable criteria. Apparent differences in paint, trim or restored equipment may reflect later work rather than an original factory version.
Photo recognition
A Type 55 should be identified through a combination of features rather than one isolated detail. The horseshoe radiator grille is an immediate link to Bugatti’s interwar cars. On roadsters associated with Jean Bugatti’s design, the body sits low, the wings sweep in continuous curves and the sides form a flowing line around the wheels. Eight-spoke aluminum wheels are another detail commonly associated with the model. Caution is essential when examining a photograph or a restored car. Not every Type 55 received the same body: a factory-style roadster, a coupé and a body by an independent coachbuilder can have noticeably different proportions. Doors, windscreen shape and wing profiles therefore cannot prove an identification on their own. The most reliable confirmation comes from the chassis number, ownership history, coachbuilder records and the consistency of the engine, frame and equipment. Recreated or heavily altered bodies are a particular concern in the historic-car market, so visual similarity should be treated as an initial clue rather than conclusive evidence.
Important versions
The Type 55 is most meaningfully understood through its individual chassis and body styles rather than a long list of official factory versions. The Jean Bugatti two-seat roadster is the best-known form. Coupés were also built, while several chassis were supplied to independent coachbuilders, creating more individualized silhouettes. The first car displayed at the 1931 Paris Motor Show is generally identified as chassis 55201. Other cars are known through their chassis numbers and bodywork, including factory-style roadsters and special Grand Raid-type commissions. The term “Super Sport” is commonly applied to the model as a whole. In the supplied ScanRacer context, only one catalogue entry is available: “Base,” for 1931. That label should not be read as a historically distinct trim level; it represents the version currently catalogued for this model. Bodywork, chassis number and coachbuilder history remain more useful for distinguishing individual Type 55 cars.
References
- 1933 Bugatti Type 55 Super SportRevs Institute
- 1931 Bugatti Type 55 Roadster – Chassis 55201Ultimatecarpage.com
- Bugatti Type 51 Grand Prix vs Type 55: twin-cam cousinsClassic & Sports Car
- https://www.conceptcarz.com/profile/25711%2C12528/1931-Bugatti-Type-51.aspxconceptcarz.com
- https://www.classicdriver.com/en/car/bugatti/type-51/1931/927321classicdriver.com
Frequently asked questions
- What years was the Bugatti Type 55 produced?
- ScanRacer's referenced versions cover 1931.
- How many Bugatti Type 55 examples are documented on ScanRacer?
- 3 published scans from 3 members, with the latest photo added in August 2026.