{"id":8816,"date":"2016-02-04T12:00:00","date_gmt":"2016-02-04T12:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/museonicolis.com\/?p=8816"},"modified":"2025-08-29T11:59:45","modified_gmt":"2025-08-29T09:59:45","slug":"bugatti-tipo-49","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.museonicolis.com\/en\/bugatti-tipo-49\/","title":{"rendered":"Bugatti, 1931, type 49"},"content":{"rendered":"

Bugatti “type 49”, 1931<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Born in Milan in 1881<\/strong>, Ettore Bugatti<\/strong> showed a strong passion for mechanics from a young age, particularly excelling in the remarkable fusion of functionality and aesthetics. After modifying a \u201cPrinetti & Stucchi\u201d tricycle by fitting it with two engines, Ettore designed his first automobile in 1899 at just 18 years old<\/strong> \u2014 a prelude to a symphony that would accompany the history of international motoring.
\nThe \u201cType 49\u201d was unveiled at the 1930 Paris Motor Show and is considered the last model personally designed by Ettore Bugatti before handing over the reins of the company to his son Jean. A successor to the \u201cType 44,\u201d the Type 49<\/strong> featured a single overhead camshaft engine with three valves per cylinder and dual ignition. Its distinctive aluminum wheels had integrated brake drums.
\nA classic touring Bugatti, the Type 49 was offered with various body styles \u2014 saloon, convertible, and coup\u00e9 \u2014 built either by Bugatti or by some of the most prominent coachbuilders of the time.
\nThe museum\u2019s vehicle was driven by legendary French racing driver Louis Chiron during the 1964 Chioggia International Rally<\/strong>. This very car also appeared in the 1966 film Grand Prix<\/em>,<\/strong> directed by John Frankenheimer and starring Adolfo Celi, Genevi\u00e8ve Page, James Garner, Fran\u00e7oise Hardy, and Yves Montand \u2014 a dramatic tale of Formula One drivers’ victories, romances, defeats, and deaths. A tragic anecdote tied to Bugatti: in 1927, the dancer Isadora Duncan died when her scarf became entangled in the spokes of a Bugatti\u2019s wheels.
\nThe Bugatti Type 35, Type 37, and Type 39 were the famous racing variants produced between 1924 and 1931. The most iconic of these is the Type 35, which forged the legend of the “Bugatti thoroughbred,” with over 2,000 victories on track and road \u2014 an unbeaten record to this day.<\/p>\n

Curiosity: Have you ever heard of the “mother-in-law seat”?<\/strong>
This was, of course, a humorous nickname used to describe a type of extra, retractable seat \u2014 usually exposed to the elements and placed in a rather uncomfortable or disadvantaged position, such as in the trunk or even outside the main bodywork. It was commonly found in pre-war automobiles and added a touch of irony (and perhaps social commentary) to early automotive design.<\/p>\n

Curiosity: The Baby Bugatti, the car for little princes<\/strong>
In the 1920s, Ettore Bugatti designed a miniature, electric-powered version of the famous Type 35 for his son Roland \u2014 a toy car meant to let him play and become familiar with driving. The little Bugatti Baby<\/em> was an unexpected success among wealthy and royal families, quickly becoming a symbol of luxury for children. Even Gianni Agnelli owned one, now displayed at the Museo dell\u2019Automobile in Turin. Today, that spirit lives on in the Baby II Type 35 Centenary Edition<\/em>, a limited-scale electric replica built in just six units by British company The Little Car Company (now Hedley Studios). Though originally conceived for children, these handcrafted reproductions are true collector\u2019s items for adults, with prices exceeding \u00a360,000 \u2014 and expected to appreciate over time, much like works of art.
\nAt Museo Nicolis, visitors can admire a stunning light blue Baby Bugatti, a timeless tribute to the charm of this extraordinary vintage \u201ctoy.\u201d
Source: www.carandfriends.it<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

2005 Shooting, La Manovella<\/strong><\/a>
\n2014, the car won the\u00a01st prize<\/strong>\u00a0at the Concorso di Eleganza \u201cVerona Legend Cars<\/strong><\/a>\u201c.
\n2015, the car won the\u00a0Best in Show<\/strong>\u00a0prize at the International Concours d’Elegance \u201cPoltu Quatu Classic<\/strong><\/a>\u201d
\n2016,\u00a0Garda Classic Car Show<\/strong><\/a>, Bardolino.
\n2017, Shooting, Oldtimer MARKT,<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0Bugatti.
\n2018, Mostra Passione Volante, Bugatti.<\/strong><\/a>
\n2018 Poste Italiane <\/strong>chose Bugatti Tipo 49 of Museo Nicolis for a philatelic postcard.
\n2024 Shooting,\u00a0Ruoteclassiche<\/strong><\/a>
\n2024\u00a0Studio Aperto MAG – Drive Up, Italia 1, Mediaset\u00a0<\/strong><\/a>(min 02:30)
\n2025 Concorso d’Eleganza Varignana 1705<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\r\n\r\n \r\n