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A Bugatti between boulangerie and tabac
It is refreshing to bump into a classic car being used as a car these days, even if it’s a bread-and-butter classic, let alone a Bugatti that is not an entrant in a concours d’élégance, owners’ club rally or museum exhibition. In France, this fortunately still happens. Occasionally.
The owner of this one seemed to have stepped out only to be back before lunch, leaving his car to wait along the street somewhere between the boulangerie and tabac. There is nothing glamorous about the setting either, with the ‘Maison du Barbier’ behind it desperate for a lick of paint, or more than that. The car is pretty much the opposite, looking simply pristine. A Type 44, we believe, with a convertible body of a rather discreet design in a rather discreet colour. Who could be the coachbuilder?
What does catch the eye are the wheels. No visible spokes, nor the famous cast aluminium wheels mostly associated with the racing Type 35s – this one wears aluminium wheel discs and they do suit it well, adding some of the aerodynamics of a record car. An optional extra at the time? Well, Bugatti owners have never been strangers to experimentation.
Words: Jeroen Booij, Picture: Henk Dijkstra
Published:
Wednesday April 8th, 2026
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Comments
Jakob Bonfils
13 April, 20:01
Edward
13 April, 01:19
Headlights more likley just a " Barker "hand operated dipping system
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Michael Anderson
12 April, 10:35
The single row of large louvres in the sides of the bonnet suggest that this might possibly be a T49 - a slightly later variant of the T44, which typically sported the larger bonnet louvres to help ventilate its slightly larger 3.3 litre straight 8 engine. T49s were available with a long chassis, but this appears to be the "shorter" chassis, which matched the dimensions of a T44. Lack of a pointed tail suggests that it's not a replica of the Bugatti factory's classic T43 "Grand Sport" body style, but the bodywork is more that of a typical "torpedo"... the T50 Le Mans Bugatti is a good example of how this touring body was fitted to a Bugatti.
This example would have benefitted from louvres in the lower body sections, or valance; an elbow cut-out for the driver; and a more forward position for side-mounting of the spare wheel. But chacun a son gout!
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This example would have benefitted from louvres in the lower body sections, or valance; an elbow cut-out for the driver; and a more forward position for side-mounting of the spare wheel. But chacun a son gout!
Marc
09 April, 13:40
If you’re ever in the Masevaux area of Alsace, you’ll see that I often take my Lea Francis skiff out, even just to pop to Aldi or the bakery.
A pre-war car must live on... absolutely
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Si vous passez dans le coin de Masevaux en Alsace vous verrez que je sors très souvent ma Lea Francis skiff même pour faire mes courses chez Aldi ou chez le boulanger.
Une avant-guerre doit vivre ...absolument
Read more
A pre-war car must live on... absolutely
----
Si vous passez dans le coin de Masevaux en Alsace vous verrez que je sors très souvent ma Lea Francis skiff même pour faire mes courses chez Aldi ou chez le boulanger.
Une avant-guerre doit vivre ...absolument
Ole Kristian HAUGEN
08 April, 20:06
The body seems to be shorter than the standard Gran Sport - no room for the long tail as the Golf is parked too close. More likely a short 4-seater with room on the chassis for a large trunk - in the style used by many owners for long-distance travel.
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Jack Braam Ruben
08 April, 15:53
Correction:
The T38 chassis is better proportioned than the T44 chassis so this will be a T44.
Behind the covers one will find the wire wheels.
The body is a copy of the Factory Grand Sport.
The turning headlights are copied from the extremely original T43 at the Louwman Museum.
Now that’s a car!
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The T38 chassis is better proportioned than the T44 chassis so this will be a T44.
Behind the covers one will find the wire wheels.
The body is a copy of the Factory Grand Sport.
The turning headlights are copied from the extremely original T43 at the Louwman Museum.
Now that’s a car!
Jack Braam Ruben
08 April, 15:46
Nice. Very practical and reliable cars to take to the bakery (unfortunately closed)
Likely a T38 or T44 with a new Grand Sport body. Like most.
A bit out of proportion as these chassis are longer than a T43.
Let’s hope that the chassis and engine are Molsheim.
Or that the car at least is a bitser. There is nothing negative about that.
But a common problem these days is that owners have amnesia.
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Likely a T38 or T44 with a new Grand Sport body. Like most.
A bit out of proportion as these chassis are longer than a T43.
Let’s hope that the chassis and engine are Molsheim.
Or that the car at least is a bitser. There is nothing negative about that.
But a common problem these days is that owners have amnesia.
Ruud Leenen
08 April, 12:20
Wheel discs are more often seen on Bugattis, for example T40 as shown in the picture attached. Also remember a T38 with discs.
Also interesting is the feature for the turning headlights, so that they turn in the direction of the steering. At least, that is what I think it is, judging by the photo.
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Also interesting is the feature for the turning headlights, so that they turn in the direction of the steering. At least, that is what I think it is, judging by the photo.
Oivind Selvig
12 April, 13:03
Yes, a good looking car now owned by me since 2023. Former owner Mr. Patrick de Coninck who participated in numerous rallies in Europe including Mille Miglia in 2007. Issued with FIVA Identity Card. Now, Norwegian registration number C-4347.
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Are you participating in the Danish International Bugatti Rally in June this year ?
I would love to see the car for real, so I hope...