The genius of Jean Bugatti – the visionary designer and engineer who impressed the entire automotive world with his groundbreaking creations – lay not only in his technical prowess, but also in the unrivalled aesthetic proportions of his designs. Jean’s legacy lives on today and the Type 55 is a testament to his supreme talent.
A marvel of motorsport inspiration, the Type 55 Super Sport featured a 2.3-litre inline eight-cylinder engine derived from the impressive Type 51 racing car. What set it apart, however, was the coveted two-seat roadster body designed by Jean Bugatti. As Bugatti’s first Super Sport, the Type 55 not only marked the foundation of a new category, but also served as a blueprint for all modern Super Sport models and redefined grand touring – seamlessly combining comfort with a remarkable top speed of 180 km/h.
But Jean Bugatti’s ingenuity went beyond engineering – he introduced the then-groundbreaking two-tone paint scheme that would eventually inspire Bugatti’s iconic, contemporary A/B color combination. And today, the most revered model, the Type 55, wears the timeless combination of black and yellow.
The Type 55 Super Sport is a rare gem, with only 38 examples ever made. Its rarity reinforces its status as a coveted collector’s item. Its legacy as a pioneer of the road-going Grand Prix car captured the imagination of a Chiron Super Sport¹ customer and the Sur Mesure team.
For the customer and for Jascha Straub, Manager for Customization and Individualization at Bugatti, the “55 1 of 1” commission was an opportunity to pay tribute to Jean Bugatti’s groundbreaking creations, which influenced the modern Bugatti brand through their blend of elegance and technical mastery. “Even 100 years after his time, we remain completely connected to Jean and his designs” noted Straub. “And we are still inspired by Jean today because he understood proportions better than anyone else and was the first to offer cars that combined comfort and pure performance. Imagine, almost 100 years ago the Type 55 could reach 180 km/h.”
With this in mind, Straub worked hand in hand with the client and Bugatti’s partner in Dubai to delve into the brand’s rich history, capture the aura of the Type 55 Super Sport and incorporate it seamlessly into the design of the modern Chiron Super Sport, offering a timeless, modern interpretation of the original car’s signature elements.
To capture the essence of the historic car, the team at Sur Mesure focused on the now famous two-tone livery that Jean introduced with the Type 55, using the black and yellow combination so favored by Ettore Bugatti. On the Chiron Super Sport, the colors serve not only to represent dynamism, but also to visually break up the hypercar’s expansive surfaces. The design process was a delicate balance between coloring specific areas and maintaining cohesion with the overall design. The dominant eye-catcher is a black center line reminiscent of the Type 55. This visual element is further embellished by the grille design, which features a black line around Bugatti’s famous central air intake, and an elegant yellow line that flows from the rear of the car to the fenders.
Throughout the creative development, Bugatti worked intensively to further develop and modernize elements of the Type 55 to create a car that is unmistakably of this century, but at the same time respects the early pioneering work of Jean Bugatti and at the same time embodies the DNA of a Bugatti Sur Mesure project.
In this sense, ’55 1 of 1′ is based on an approach that involves carefully hand-applied fading ’55’ patterns above the headlights and over the fenders to draw attention to the horseshoe grille and make the front end appear narrower – in keeping with the distinctive hull shape of its predecessor, which conveys a sense of elegance but also strength and speed. “From a distance, the ‘55’ pattern makes the fender appear black like the original car,” said Yasha. “On the original historic car, where some parts end at a certain point, you can just paint right up to the seam. But on the Chiron Super Sport, it had to be tapered down to zero. It was a long and complicated process, but it was the right approach.”
The “55 1 of 1” brief balances its bold style with minimalist black 10-spoke wheels. A yellow “EB” emblem in the center subtly connects the alloy design to the Chiron Super Sport’s body. The underside of the rear wing provides a clear link to the design’s roots – “55 1 of 1” in italics is a nod to the masterpiece that inspired this artistic creation.
Jean’s meticulous attention to detail not only extended to the exterior, but also influenced the aesthetics of the interior. References to the Type 55 Super Sport are also found inside the 55 1 of 1. The cabin is finished in smooth black leather, further enhancing the aesthetics of the exterior, and features unique touches such as embroidered headrests with the unique “55 1 of 1” inscription. The fading “55” motif is also continued, this time artfully hand-stitched into the door panels in a bright yellow.
As further recognition of Jean Bugatti’s visionary contributions, his signature is prominently displayed on the car’s door sill and dedication plate. Together, these interior details not only underline the aesthetic appeal of this Chiron Super Sport, but also create a deep connection between the driver and the storied heritage of the Bugatti brand.
Hendrik Malinowski, Managing Director of Bugatti Automobiles: “At Bugatti, our commitment to bespoke craftsmanship is embodied by our Sur Mesure program. Our team perfectly succeeds in reinterpreting our brand’s iconic vintage cars, creatively combining 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, is a tribute to a car that represents a milestone in the brand’s history. The ’55 1 of 1′ reflects the spirit of one of Bugatti’s most groundbreaking models and is proof that Jean’s vision not only continues to shape our entire design and engineering ethos to this day, but also inspires our customers worldwide, in this case in the United Arab Emirates.”
