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.