Bugatti Type 55 Roadster, Chassis 55211, at the 2014 Chantilly Arts & Elegance Day, by Wouter Melissen - Ultimatecarpage.com
The Bugatti Type 55 "Super Sport" was a road-going version of the Type 54 Grand Prix car. A roadster, it had a short 108.3 in (2750 mm) wheelbase and light 1800 lb (816 kg) weight.
Power came from the Type 51's 2.3 L (2262 cc/138 in³) straight-8 engine. This 2-valve DOHC unit produced 130 hp (96 kW) and could rev to 5000 rpm. A Roots-type supercharger was used.
The car's 4-speed manual transmission came from the Type 49 touring car.
The chassis was slightly wider and a lot stronger than the Type 54 Grand Prix car, making it ideal for the road going Type 55. In good Bugatti tradition the chassis was suspended by solid axles and leaf springs.
The two-seater Roadster bodywork with its lovely lines were further accentuated by a two-tone finish.
The eight-spoke cast-aluminium wheels with integrated brake drums were directly lifted from the Type 51 and revealed the car's competition roots. In addition to the Roadster body, the Type 55 catalog also featured a Coupe design along similar lines.
Only 38 examples of the Type 55 were produced from 1932 through 1935, and even though the last one was not built until 1935, more than half of all Type 55s were constructed in 1932.