Page 1 of 1 Introduced in 1927, the Bugatti Type 43 was a thinly disguised Grand Prix car for the road. It combined the supercharged engine of the successful Type 35B competition car with the chassis and running gear of the Type 38 road car. Produced well into the 1930s, the Type 43 was also an accomplished competition car in its own right.
The heart of the Type 43 was formed by the distinct 24-valve straight-eight engine in 2.3-litre form and equipped with a Roots-type supercharger. Detuned for road use, it was still capable of producing 120 bhp and 100+ mph top speed. Separate from the mid-mounted four-speed gearbox, the engine was installed in a typical Bugatti chassis with leaf springs and cable-operated drum brakes on all four corners.
When the Type 43 was first launched, it was available with a torpedo-style bodywork built by the factory. It had a door on the left-side only and a hatch in the tail to reveal the luggage compartment. The distinct detachable, alloy-rim wheels were also carried over from the Type 35 competition car. In 1932, a more luxurious Type 43A was added to the line-up.
Although very expensive, the Type 43 proved quite popular and between 1927 and 1932 around 160 examples were sold. It holds the distinction of being the first production sports car genuinely capable of a 100 mph top speed. Highly sought after, many enthusiasts do not believe a collection to be complete without a Bugatti Type 43. Page 1 of 1
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Type 43A Roadster
Introduced in 1927, the Bugatti Type 43 was a thinly disguised Grand Prix car for the road. It combined the supercharged engine of the successful Type 35B competition car with the chassis and running gear of the Type 38 road car. Produced well into the 1930s, the Type 43 was also an accomplished competition car in its own right.