1930 Bugatti Type 46 Superprofile Coupe

Of all of Bugatti's exceptional and advanced designs, none perhaps were more elegant and stately than the Type 46. An incredible amalgamation of elegant, sweeping lines and an imposing stature, the Type 46 would speak of performance and affluence just in one glance.

The beginnings of the Type 46 would actually be found with Ettore Bugatti's Type 41 and 44 models. The Type 46 would combine the stateliness of the Type 41 with its tall nose and large wheels with the touring body styles of the 44.

However, there was perhaps no other automaker that offered as many body styles and designs as Bugatti. Within the Type 46 line there were a number of different hand-made body styles that would be offered but perhaps none of them would be evoking as Jean Bugatti's Superprofile.

Also called the 'Petit Royale' for its similarity to the Type 41 Royale, the Superprofile would offer 16-inch wheels with self-adjusting, cable-operated drum brakes and a resemblance similar to the 4.3-meter long wheelbase of the imposing luxury car.

Everything about Bugatti's cars, and especially the Type 46, would be special and one of a kind. Starting with the smooth-running long-stroke 5.4-liter inline eight-cylinder engine, Bugatti had a truly exclusive lineup. Featuring an engine casting process that included the cylinders themselves, Bugatti's engine would end up being very narrow and rectangular in their shape as there were no engine pieces needing to be put together. Boasting of three valves per cylinder and twin spark plugs, the engine was capable of producing 140 brake horsepower all while operating smoothly as one would expect from a luxury car.

While Bugatti's engines were handcrafted and specially-built, the coachwork would be every bit as unique and exclusive. In fact, in the book Bugatti Type 46: La Petite Royale written by Bohuslav Klein, Roland Saunier and Kees Jansen, amongst the Bugatti's extensive range of cars, 'no other Bugatti Type motivated so many European body makers in the thirties to build such exclusive bodies as this one did.' And perhaps none are as inspiring as the Superprofile.

A study in shapes and mergers, the Superprofile is an incredibly intelligent fusion of sweeping arcs and rectangular patterns, but they are just a couple of the shapes that make up the truly remarkable and artistic design. Elements of wedges and circles all come together to produce a true piece of art.

One such piece of art would be chassis 46208. Believed to originally have a four-door conduite interieure coachwork, 46208 would initially be ordered by Bugatti dealer Dominique Lamberjack of Paris in January 1930. Ordered with another chassis at a cost of 72,200 Francs, 46208 would be delivered and still retains engine number 77. And throughout the mid-to-late thirties, this particular chassis would be registered to a number of different owners living throughout Paris. After a brief period of time in the village Villeneuve-sur-Lot, the car would return to Paris just in time to be purchased and shipped to Aalholm Automobile Museum in Nystead, Denmark as the personal property of Baron John Raben-Levetzau.

Fast-forwarding history, the car still retained its four-door coachwork when its present owner decided to have the car more appropriately honor Bugatti's influential design and heritage. Therefore, the car would be shipped to New South Wales, Australia, to Mr. Ken Haywood. Mr. Haywood's coachbuilding has been regarded as one of the finest in the world, and was responsible for several award-winning cars. Mr. Haywood would be contracted to design and build a faithful recreation of Jean Bugatti's 'Superprofile'.

The desired option would not be easy by any means. The truly spectacular design was not an easy accomplishment, and with only a few examples still remaining in existence, there wouldn't be much to draw from. However, when finished, the new coachwork would have to be considered one of the finest of Mr. Haywood's accomplishments.

Adorned in a striking black with bright yellow panels, the finish of the car only draws the eye to the fantastic lines and features of the coachwork. From its steeply-raked windscreen, to its flawless wood dash and steering wheel, to its brown Ostrich leather, this particular recreation of Superprofile certainly does the heritage and memory of Bugatti proud.

Highlighted with engine tuning and cleanliness that gives the aura of the car having just been delivered by Ettore himself, the gleaming chrome radiator and period-correct Goodrich Silvertown tires only add to this already scintillating and inspiring representation of the Type that inspired some of the grandest automotive works of art the world has ever seen.

Upon completion, the car would be shown at the 2011 Sydney Concours where it won honors. The car would then be offered at the 2012 Amelia Island RM Auction. And at an estimated value of between $1,250,000 and $1,750,000, it is clear the car is expected to earn even more honors.

This truly eye-catching car would attract a lot of attention and admiration at this year's auction. And when it was all said and done, this recreation of a 1930 Bugatti Type 46 Superprofile would garner a sale price of $1,017,500.

Sources:
'Lot No. 178: 1930 Bugatti Type 46 Superprofile Coupe', (http://www.rmauctions.com/CarDetails.cfm?SaleCode=AM12&CarID=r226&Currency=USD). RM Auctions. http://www.rmauctions.com/CarDetails.cfm?SaleCode=AM12&CarID=r226&Currency=USD. Retrieved 15 March 2012.

'Bugatti: 1929 Bugatti Type 46', (http://www.supercars.net/cars/2762.html). Supercars.net. http://www.supercars.net/cars/2762.html. Retrieved 15 March 2012.

'Bugatti: 1930 Bugatti Type 41 Royale', (http://www.supercars.net/cars/2757.html). Supercars.net. http://www.supercars.net/cars/2757.html. Retrieved 15 March 2012.

Wikipedia contributors, 'Bugatti Type 46', Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 9 November 2011, 19:13 UTC, http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Bugatti_Type_46&oldid=459843594 accessed 15 March 2012

Wikipedia contributors, 'Bugatti Royale', Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 19 February 2012, 11:55 UTC, http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Bugatti_Royale&oldid=477696432 accessed 15 March 2012

By Jeremy McMullen