1951 Bugatti Type 101 Coupé Anthem
| March 18, 2008
The Bugatti Company suffered to survive following World War II and into the 1950s.
One of their final efforts was the Type 101, which was introduced in 1951. The Type 101 featured a 3.3 L straight-8 engine, which was basically just a revised and updated version of the Type 57 platform, a design Bugatti used in the mid-to-late 30s and early 40s.
Only six Type 101s were produced by Bugatti through 1956, all with different coachwork. Nonetheless, the 101 is still affectionaltely considered by many to be the last true Bugatti car.
This pictured car is know as the Type 101 Coupé Anthem. It is a beautiful car, designed with a contemporary GT body on par with the greatest American and European sports cars of the era. Even though the technology was old, this Bugatti was fast and quite capable.
I first saw and photographed this car more than 30 years ago when it was part of the Harrah’s Collection in Reno, NV. This particular picture was snapped a few years ago at the Pebble Beach Concours.