The DFW Car & Toy Museum has unveiled a remarkable tribute to automotive history with its latest addition—a precision recreation of the 1932 Bugatti Type 55 Super Sport Roadster. Crafted by Pur Sang of Argentina, this reproduction captures the essence of a vehicle that represents a pivotal moment in racing and automotive design.
The original Type 55, produced between 1932 and 1935, was a groundbreaking vehicle that seamlessly blended Grand Prix racing technology with road-going elegance. With only 38 original models ever produced, the car represents an extraordinary piece of automotive heritage. The recreation features a supercharged 2.3-liter dual-overhead-cam straight-eight engine, mirroring the innovative design that distinguished the original model.
Ron Sturgeon, owner of the museum, emphasizes the historical significance of the vehicle, noting that it embodies the spirit of Jean Bugatti's vision of creating cars that were not just visually impressive, but genuinely high-performance machines. The reproduction maintains the iconic design elements that made the original Type 55 legendary, including its flowing lines, doorless cut-down sides, and distinctive horseshoe grille.
What makes this recreation particularly noteworthy is its accessibility. While original Type 55 models are extraordinarily rare and valuable, this reproduction allows automotive enthusiasts to experience the car's mechanical beauty and performance characteristics without the prohibitive cost of an original. Pur Sang has carefully balanced historical accuracy with modern enhancements, ensuring the vehicle is both authentic and reliable.
For automotive historians, racing enthusiasts, and design aficionados, this Bugatti Type 55 recreation offers a tangible connection to a transformative era in automotive engineering. It stands as a testament to the innovation and aesthetic brilliance that defined early 20th-century motorsport design.
