Friday 16th April 2010

Bugnotti Coupe - Weird Name, Magical Car

Delahaye USA reimagines legendary Bugatti Type 57, plans Pebble Beach launch

---

This dramatic rendering might look like the artwork form a Frank Miller comic, but it is actually an artist's impression of something called the 'Bella Figura' Bugnotti Coupe.

The curiously named Bugnotti Coupe is the latest project from Delahaye USA, a New Jersey-based company that specialises in stylistic homages to Delahayes and Bugattis from the first half of the 20th century.

Delahaye USA has nothing commercially to do with either Bugatti or Delahaye (which made its cars between 1894 and 1954) but, as its website says, they are "paying homage to top coachbuilders and a few fine automobiles". The Bugnotti coupe is the latest creation to follow in that tradition and is intended, says Delahaye USA, as a nod to both the legendary Bugatti Type 57S and Ettore Bugatti's son, Jean.

The fantastically extrovert creations of Delahaye USA's seem to be about more than just looks, too. Unlike the horrific retro kit cars that some US companies spewed out in the 1970s early 1980s, Delahaye USA's bodies ride on bespoke chassis, with modern V12 engines (although Delahaye doesn't specify which V12...)

The Bugnotti Coupe will be no different; Delahaye USA will build you an aluminium-bodied model with electric windows, power steering, power brakes, air-con and a late-model drivetrain of your choice for around $450k (£291k). If you're feeling brave and want to build your own one, you can get a fibreglass body with a carbon fibre finish for around $50k (£32k).

The Bugnotti Coupe is just a rendering for now, but is expected to make its public debut at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in California this August. In the meantime you can have a look at the company's previous creation, the open-top Bugnotti, below, or by popping along to Delahaye USA's website.

 

[Gary C]

Nasty

[Garlick]

Oof.....

[Gun]

That looks amazing!

[soad]

Looks a bit better than the last effort, it seems.

[Agoogy]

The open top looks very special...the coupe for some reason...not so.

[Mini1275]

I'd like to see one for real.

[Riggers]

Mini1275 said:

I'd like to see one for real.

Get a plane ticket to California in August and you might be able to (provided Delahaye gets the thing built in time, of course).

Alternatively, we'll no doubt get some pictures of it, so you can check it out from the comfort of your desk...

[LeoZwalf]

Awesome.

Needs a tommy gun, black suit and white shoes.

[Mr MoJo]

Beautiful in a mad bonkers kind of way. I like it.

[soad]

LeoZwalf said:

Needs a tommy gun, black suit and white shoes.

It certainly does have a old gangster movie look!

[Wilburo]

The website is more a collection of thoughts than substance, unfortunately, but it did lead me to this fabulous machine.

http://www.autoblog.com/photos/1925-rolls-royce-ph...

That for touring and a Caterham 7 for fun - timelessly awesome.

[havoc]

Wilburo said:

The website is more a collection of thoughts than substance, unfortunately, but it did lead me to this fabulous machine.

http://www.autoblog.com/photos/1925-rolls-royce-ph...

That for touring and a Caterham 7 for fun - timelessly awesome.

Fantastic! love the way the windows open...

[B10]

It seems that they have used the BMW V12

[Spiritual_Beggar]

That is quite nice!

[dapprman]

May be marmite thing, but where's my cheque book.

[G0ldfysh]

yummy yes please

[LukeBird]

Awesome!

A homage that I actually like. Gorgeous.

[Cotty]

Different, not on my christmas list though.

[oagent]

Beautiful, bonkers but certainly a lot more interesting than many other £300k "new company with old name builds million bhp mega car" renderings

[Shorty123]

stunning