1932 Bugatti Type 49 Roadster

Bugatti introduced the Type 49 in 1930, and this particular example, chassis number 49369, was produced in August of 1931 and fitted with engine number 263. It was given 'Conduit Interieur' coachwork by Ganglof of Colmar and then shipped to the Bugatti agent in Nantes, France (M. Mazureau). It was delivered by M. Mazureau to its first owner near the end of February 1932. At some point the original engine was replaced by a factory spare engine, number 217, which is currently installed in the car.

The car wore its original body until at least 1955. Not long thereafter, the body was removed and replaced by a mid-1930s two-door, four-passenger sedan body with coachwork by P. Marsaud et Cie. Around this time, the car came into the care of a Frenchman named Bouchier. Mr. Mouchier later sold it to its first United States owner, Steve Juillerat of New York. In 1973, it was sold to William Serri of Merchantville, New Jersey. Mr. Serri sold it to William H. Dyer Jones, only to be re-purchased by Mr. Serri several years later. In 1980, it was sold to its current long-term owner. Since then, the car has been given a restoration.

The P. Marsaud body has been removed (although still with the car) and has been fitted with a body built along the lines of the Murphy-bodied roadsters of the 1930s. The original driveshaft has also been removed and put away. A Laycock over-drive unit plus a new driveshaft with modern universal joints has been installed.

By Daniel Vaughan | Jun 2017