ONE-OFF BUGATTIS ARE WHERE IT'S AT - THIS 55 1 OF 1 IS SIMPLY SUPERB.
The Type 55 Super Sport was a marvel of motorsport inspiration and it boasted a 2.3-litre inline 8-cylinder engine derived from the formidable Type 51 racer of the time. What set it apart, however, was the sought-after two-seater roadster body of Jean Bugatti’s design. As Bugatti's inaugural Super Sport, the Type 55 not only marked the foundation of a new category but also served as the blueprint for all modern-day Super Sport models, redefining grand touring – seamlessly blending comfort with a top speed of 180 km/h. Yet, Jean Bugatti’s ingenuity extended beyond engineering and introduced the duotone paint scheme that would eventually inspire Bugatti’s iconic contemporary A/B colour split. The most revered Type 55 wears a combination of black and yellow, one of only 38 units created. For the special customer and Jascha Straub, Manager of Sur Mesure and Individualization at Bugatti, the ‘55 1 of 1’ commission was an opportunity to pay tribute to Jean Bugatti’s groundbreaking creations. “Even 100 years after his time, we have remained totally connected to Jean and his designs. And inspiration for us today still comes from Jean because he understood proportions better than anybody else and was the first to offer cars combining comfort and sheer performance. Imagine, almost 100 years ago, the Type 55 was able to reach 180 km/h.” Straub worked with the customer and the Bugatti partner in Dubai to capture the aura of the Type 55 Super Sport and infuse it into the Chiron Super Sport to create a modern interpretation of the original car. Sur Mesure focused on the duotone paint scheme on the Chiron Super Sport. The dominant focal point is a black centerline reminiscent of the Type 55 along with a grille design, which runs a black line around the central air intake with a yellow line from the back of the rear side of the car to the fenders. The ‘55 1 of 1‘ features a hand-applied fading ‘55’ pattern above the headlights and over the fenders. “From a distance, the ‘55’ pattern ensures that the fender appears to be black like on the original car,” said Jascha. “On the original historic car, where you have some parts that end at a certain point, you can just paint until the shut line. But with the Chiron Super Sport, it had to fade into zero. It was a long and intricate process, but it was the right approach.”
The ‘55 1 of 1’ also features minimalist black 10-spoke wheels, a yellow ‘EB’ emblem in the centre, and the underside of the rear wing reads ‘55 1 of 1’ written in cursive is a nod to the masterpiece that inspired this creation. Jean’s meticulous attention to detail extended beyond the exterior, influencing the interior aesthetic as well. As such, the references to the Type 55 Super Sport reach into the inside of the ‘55 1 of 1’. Featuring sleek black leather that further accentuates the exterior aesthetic, the cabin includes unique accents such as embroidered headrests displaying a unique ‘55 1 of 1’ inscription. The fading ‘55’ motif also continues, this time skillfully hand-stitched into the door panels in a vibrant yellow colour. In further recognition of Jean Bugatti’s visionary contributions, his signature is prominently placed on the door sill and the car’s dedication plate. Together, these interior details not only underscore the aesthetic allure of this Chiron Super Sport but also create a deep connection between the driver and the storied heritage of the Bugatti brand. “At Bugatti, our commitment to bespoke craftsmanship is epitomised by our Sur Mesure program. Our team perfectly manages to reinterpret our brand’s iconic classic cars, creatively blending the past with a contemporary approach and innovative techniques. Our latest commission, inspired by the timeless elegance of Jean Bugatti’s iconic black and yellow Type 55 Super Sport, pays homage to a car that represents a milestone in the history of the brand. The '55 1 of 1’ infuses the spirit of one of Bugatti’s most pioneering models and is a testament to the fact that Jean's vision not only continues to shape our entire design and engineering ethos to this day but also inspires our customers worldwide, and in this case in the United Arab Emirates.” commented Hendrik Malinowski, Managing Director at Bugatti Automobiles. Bugatti Automobiles thanks the Musée National de l’Automobile in Mulhouse for the generous loan of the original Bugatti Type 55 chassis no. 55237, which was photographed along with the stunning Chiron Super Sport ‘55 1 of 1’ on Bugatti premises.
Take a look at the YouTube video that shows off the coolest one-of-one Bugatti to date that was created to celebrate the amazing Type 55 Bugatti, but in a modern way using a Chiron Super Sport as a base: BUGATTI Sur Mesure: The CHIRON Super Sport ‘55 1 OF 1’ | Bugatti
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Cars SXdrv Chiron Chiron Super Sport Type 55 Type 55 Super Sport Limited Edition One of one Bugatti