Bugatti Type 46

De Bugatti Type 46 and later the Type 50 and Type 50B were touring cars that Bugatti produced from 1929 to 1936. Bugatti Type 46. Bugatti Type 50.

Bugatti Type 46 from 1930

History and background

Presented to the public at the 1929 Paris Motor Show, the Bugatti Type 46 was created to bridge the gap between the more accessible Type 44 and the monumental Type 41 Royale. Ettore Bugatti utilized technical achievements of the Royale, including powertrain and braking innovations, but presented them in a more compact and lighter body.

Despite other, more luxurious cars being offered on the market, the Type 46 was Ettore Bugatti's personal favorite. That is one of the reasons why this model remained on the market longer than anyone had expected. Before World War II, a luxury vehicle was rarely produced for more than a few years, and yet the Type 46 lasted seven years on the assembly lines, albeit with a few modifications.

The Type 46 became affectionately known as “La Petite Royale,” in homage to its connection with Bugatti’s grandest car, while offering a driving experience focused on agility and refinement. Fast, elegant, and large enough to impress — but not so large that you needed a chauffeur.

Design and interior

The design was considered not only classic but also elegant. At the front, the famous horseshoe-shaped radiator was surrounded by a thick chrome rim. A long engine bay with side fins was a visual promise of performance, flanked by long, curved front fenders.

A large, one-piece engine block was the most important feature of the Type 46. The casting contained everything from the combustion chambers to the main crankshaft bearings, including the cylinder walls. This eliminated the need for head bolts, allowing the engine to be very narrow and perfectly rectangular. The flywheel was flexibly mounted to reduce vibrations in the cabin.
The two-door vehicle had forward-hinged doors, unlike other car manufacturers who still relied on rearward-hinged doors. The interior was luxuriously appointed with comfortable seats in the front and a small bench in the rear. The woodgrain dashboard had centrally mounted dials for the speedometer, tachometer, water temperature, and several other gauges needed on long journeys.

Chrome Rudge wire wheels were fitted, and the spectacular cast aluminium wheels as seen on the Royale were eventually offered as an option.

As many as forty different coachbuilders created bodywork for the Type 46 chassis in a variety of designs and specifications. No other Bugatti motivated so many European coachbuilders in the 1930s to build such exclusive bodywork.

Bugatti Type 46 from 1930 with bodywork by Veth & Zonen

Competitors

The Type 46 operated in the top segment of European grand tourers. Direct competitors were:

• Parts D8
• Hispano-Suiza H6B
• Bentley 8 Liter
• Rolls-Royce Phantom II

Successor model

The Type 46 led to the sportier Type 50 and its derivatives, including race-oriented and coupé versions. The Type 50 rode on a shorter wheelbase of 3.099 mm and used a smaller 5,0-liter version of the engine with twin camshafts and two valves per cylinder, good for 225 hp.