Of course, most people think of the exterior appearance of the 1931 Bugatti Type 51 Dubos Coupe when discussing the classic vehicle. However, given that it was first a race car, it also comes with an impressive engine that produces incredible speeds. The Bugatti Type 51 Dubos Coupe engine is a supercharged 2.3-liter in-line eight with a maximum output of 180 horsepower. The transmission on the Type 51 Dubos Coupe is a four-speed manual. Regarding speed, this famous Bugatti has a reported top speed of 143 miles per hour.
What also makes this race car significant is that it won a notable race. While driving the Bugatti Type 51 Dubos Coupe, Louis Chiron won the 1931 French Grand Prix. The car didn’t have a long racing career, but it is legendary nonetheless. Of course, during its racing career, people knew the car as #51133. The 1931 Bugatti Type 51 Dubos Coupe didn’t get its full name until 1937, when it underwent modifications. Bugatti may have a significant reputation today, but this swift racer shows how essential the automaker has always been to racing.
The 1931 Bugatti Type 51 Dubos Coupe Exterior Is Special
The 1931 Bugatti Type 51 Dubos Coupe exterior was initially quite different from the iconic coupe we know and love today. Before its conversion into a luxury coupe, the car was pretty plain, although still an interesting-looking vehicle. The most significant changes to the car were the addition of various fenders and headlamps. Not only did this give the car a much more dramatic look, but it also made it street-legal. Multiple owners have repainted the iconic Bugatti over the years to a couple of different colors, but the latest is a deep metallic red. In addition to its fenders, the Bugatti Type 51 Dubos Coupe exterior stands out because of its inverted doors and unique rear wing. The car is also relatively narrow in comparison to its long frame. That and its dramatic look make this a super stunning vehicle. The design may not have been Bugatti, but it’s still representative of the automaker’s unique approach to vehicle design.
Showing its continued influence, the 1931 Bugatti Type 51 Dubos Coupe has won Best Of Show at multiple competitions in recent years, with the latest competition being in 2022. Though representative of a different era of cars, the Type 51 Dubos Coupe has a timeless design that we’d love to see in person.
The 1931 Bugatti Type 51 Dubos Coupe Interior Is Breathtakingly Beautiful
Though not the most prominent part of the car, the 1931 Bugatti Type 51 Dubos Coupe interior is also remarkable. It has a look fitting of a Bugatti but without all the bells and whistles of one of the automaker’s modern cars. Of course, it only seats two, and there’s not much room to spare, but it’s still an impressive cabin. It has a beautiful beige color look on the inside that’s pretty consistent throughout the car.
The 1931 Bugatti Type 51 Dubos Coupe is one of the most exceptional vehicles from the automaker. Not only because of its race car history but because it’s a vehicle that still commands attention from the car world today. Currently, the car is at the Nethercutt Museum in California, which has one of the world’s most extensive collections of unique classic cars. This is one vehicle every classic car enthusiast should see if they get the chance because it’s a significant aspect of vehicle history. The Type 51 Dubos Coupe is one of those rare few vehicles that will always have a considerable reputation
