A while ago Jaap Horst ran a competition to discover the greatest Bugatti. The T35 won, no surprise there then, but taking a queue from Jaap, let us have a list of 5 Bugattis from as many contributors as possible. To make things interesting, let the only rule be that it must be a list of 5 individual Bugattis.

Also, you decide the parameters of your list; the 5 most beautiful, the 5 greatest, the 5 most overrated, the 5 whatever..... So go on then, somebody else start, I am still trying to fit a T35, a T41, a T46, a T50T, a T54 and 2 x T57S' into a list of 5. And that's why I think it should be only 5, the top 20 is so much easier. And easy is boring.

Now if you will excuse me, WIKI is beckoning.

Johan

OK….. Not such an easy task… About a year ago my list of favourite Bugattis would be of mainly type 57 cars. Since my first Bugatti ride (in a type 43) this has changed.

My 5 favourite Bugattis are:

1) #43183



On nr. one obviously my first “Bugatti” love Type 43. #43183…
A pure original rough 43 with a ball-bearing crankshaft.

2) #57593



The only type 57 in my top 5 list on place number 2… Type 57 #57593. The (to my opinion) best looking type 57 SC ever build. I have a drawing of this car hanging on my walls for more than 12 year.. and still can’t keep my eyes from it.

3) #43248



Such a nice body design

4) # 44266



I know… I know… It has a shortened chassis… and Type 44 cars are sometimes called the Volkswagen under the Bugattis… But for me it is like a touring car with the looks of a grand prix Bugatti..… It must drive like a dream on longer trips like the Mille Miglia

5) #43264



When I saw a picture of this car for the first time I got chocked. It must be an unbelievable sensation when you drive a closed version of this incredible car.

Interesting...

Let me see...

Top 5 of most elegant Bugattis.

57432.
I love the Atalante, but it must be a long wheelbase version. I love the roll-top, as well as the colours used, and the colour scheme. It looks so elegant, from every angle.

I once designed a boat, which looked very similar in design. When I have the time and opportunity, I will build it. (I built several boats before...)




55220
OK, there are more identical cars of these, I picked this one because the photo looks nice.You can call it a ladies car, but I would not mind driving one. Again, elegance from every angle. For some reason, I like the red/black colour scheme more than the yellow or blue ones.




46546
The rake of the windshield, the wheels, the two-tone lines. Why am I explaining? Just look at the picture!




41121
A good example of what a colour scheme can do to a car. The Ford museum is working on a plan to restore the car to as original as feasable. Get rid of the white and dark green, get rid of the air horns and wheel discs. It does not need those to be elegant. Reveal the real beauty of this car!





473
Isn't she a beauty?

_________________
Vive la Marque !!

Usually, when I organise a competition, there is a prize, is there one here, Johan?

I can make probably more than a dozen "Top 5's", including of course the most successfull, the prettiest, the fastest.

But also, the ugliest body, the biggest failure, the worst replica, the worst restoration, the most controversial (real or not real?).

Furthermore: the most beautiful post - Ettore Bugatti (including all Artioli and VW-products), the most influential in automotive industry.

So, which one shall I do? Or only a Top 1 in each category??

For the original contest from years back (those days that you could still buy a new EB110), see: http://www.bugattirevue.com/revue2/best-bug.htm

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A prize Jaap? Sure there's a prize, Glory, Honour and Adoration from the masses! Perhaps even immortality. But with my budget, no financial reward, I don't want to cheapen this noble exercise! As to the criteria you use, that's just it you see. Not only are you only allowed 5 cars, but it is up to the individual to explain why they've made their choices. I don't care if you provide a list of the 5 Bugattis you hate the most, as long as the reasoning is entertaining. Providing entertainment and insight into one's love/hate relationship with this marque is the goal, my own love for Bugatti and their creator is quite schizophrenic. I love Ettore as a young man when he was at his awesome best, and despise him for the tired cynical old man he became, yet some of my favourite Bugattis were built during the twilight years.

Herman, while compiling my own list last night I realised something; I do not have a clue how to get those little photos from WIKI into a post. Please provide clear and simple instructions, you are addressing an idiot after all. Type slowly, do not use any big words and use a specific example please. The Bachelier T54 is my number two choice, be a pal and show me how. Ta. And please don't tell anyone, I fear being mocked in public.

To end on a slightly different note; global warming my ass! It's getting colder, I'm freezing my tits off and this is South Africa for Christ's sake!

Johan

hello

first I think its nit to discuss, what are the best bugattis, but what are
the best looking ones. mechanically, they are nearly all masterpieces
with small or bigger problems which had been ignored by ettore. but the bodies? bugatti ones ore others?
so here is my choice:
1) T 15; # 589: look at the luggage under the tail !!!



2) T 38; # 38340, one of the best looking fiacre -boddies



3) T 43, # 43258: not the odd grand sport, but a stuning roadsder by graber



4) T 55; # 55206, at least another fine executed ,non bugatti body



5) T 57; # 57260, there are so much beatifull bodies on the T 57, but
this one, with the full discqe-wheels is quite beatifull



best from austria
mike

-edit Herman: Added pictures-

You are right, 38340 is gloriously beatiful. I find all your choices utterly fascinating, because they're so different. The T15 & T38 I've not seen before - shame on me! But thanks for the introduction. I also like 55206 very much, bet prefer the previous colour scheme; very dark green or black with the edges of the wings and body-line in a paler green, matching the interior. Black & blue is a little predictable. Thanks for your list, anyone else?

Herman, I am still waiting for my instructions - I'm not getting any younger you know.

Cheers
Johan

_________________
Vive la Marque !!

My second favourite Bugatti, and a test to see whether I can post a picture. It is over-powered, dangerous and it killed a few racers yes, but : Just look at it! It is brutally beatiful.

If this one works, then I will make 4 more posts. I just don't know which 4 yet.

Johan

57374. Never mind my favourite Bugatti, this is the single greatest car ever. Not just because it is beautiful, but it's entire history pays testimony to the greatness of the men who have owned and loved her, and when Dr. Williamson finally had her restored, all that history, all that glorious originality remained intact. She still has her soul and her dignity.

Strangely enough, my best friend thinks this is a singularly unattractive car. "It's hunchbacked, and the bonnet too low," he whined. "Touring did so much better with the 8C2.9." I need new friends. I have to see this car before I die, perhaps to reverentially lay my hands on her. Then I shall weep.

The Rothschild Atlantic; the personification of everything I love about Bugattis.

Johan

PS. The other 3? Don't hold your breath, I am utterly incapable of whittling the list down from 7. But I will and I must.

The Weyman Royale, the car Ettore crashed while drunk. Now all that remain are memories and photos. Paul Kestler printed some glorious one's in his book on the T41. Because this car is no more, it brings my love for Bugattis into some perspective : This car is no less real to me than the Coupe Napoleon that replaced it. There are some advantages to loving from a distance.

Number what is this, I hear you ask. How the Hell should I know?

Johan

46546. My first love, how can I not. Herman is right, just look at it.

hello

great royal, but whats about the original coloured weinberger (black)cabrio??
if you have a look down the photos in the WIKI file, you will find more and more:
1422. the boattailed 3 seater
4o452: T40 with a wonderfull art deco (voisin like) coupe
5o117: the stuning million-guiet

and be aware, how many beautiful bodies had been chopped instead
of dull "grand sport"

maybe we should set up a selection with the " ugliest" or "worst" bugatti??? maybe the T 57sc, which burned the drivers feet after a short drive??, the T54 , who nearly killed everybody due to much power and
little steering? take a look on the ugly saloon-bodies on the T57`s made by british coachbuilders like james young.......

or the " poorest" bugatti??? take the " roland garros", which for my opinion was the best , but the outbreak of WW I killed further development

best regards
mike

59124. LPG 211. Side mounted spare wheel, lights, fenders and in care-worn condition - glorious, utterly, utterly glorious. Since there are no unrestored T59's left, allow me to remember this car as she was. Sooner or later, they all suffer "the desolate hand of the improver." Let us remember.

So here is my list of 5 then, just one problem : How to define and title my list? Let's see now, I think I will go with : "Johan's 5 favourite Bugattis on the morning of the 9th of July 2008." It will do.

Kind Regards
Johan Buchner

Hi Mike.

You are right about 40452, I love the interior as well. Lovely art-deco trim

Also have a look at 38191 by Gaston-Grummer. For some reason I think this car is quite stunning. Interestingly enough, Conway described the T38 as underpowered, which it may well have been for all I know, but some of them have really interesting coachwork.



I hear what you are saying in your post, but it does raise the question of whether there are any Bugattis that should not be celebrated. Even (or should that be especially?) the ugly ones are interesting. If this forum should keep going, as I hope it would, each car will get it's turn in the lime-light. My own suggestion for the next list is "the 5 Bugattis you like but really shouldn't." The Kellogg car jumps to mind.

Come let us debate!

Cheers
Johan