1931 Bugatti Type 49

Gallery Aaldering: Europe’s Largest Classic Car Dealer Since 1975.

Our family-owned business has been dedicated to sourcing and offering the finest classic cars in the world. Today, we proudly present over 450 high-quality classics in stock, making us the biggest dealer in Europe. What you see on Classic is only a small selection. Our full collection awaits at our dealer site. With worldwide shipping, regular sales to the USA, and nearly 50 years of expertise, Gallery Aaldering is your trusted partner in finding and enjoying the car of your dreams.

To properly understand this extraordinary Bugatti, we must go back to the 1920s and 1930s, the period in which Bugatti established its reputation as one of the most refined and forward-thinking automotive manufacturers in the world. The Type 49 belongs to the generation of early eight-cylinder Bugattis—a lineage that began in the 1920s and became known for its smooth-running engines and exceptional driving characteristics.

Beneath the beautifully sculpted hood lies a 3.3-liter inline-eight engine, equipped with dual ignition and delivering an exceptionally smooth and refined operation. For its time, this was truly top-tier engineering, and a Bugatti like this continues to leave a lasting impression to this day.

The elegant coachwork was built by Petera of Vrchlabí, a coachbuilder from what was then Czechoslovakia. The result is a beautifully proportioned cabriolet, graceful and perfectly balanced. At the rear, you will find a dicky seat, and the two spare wheels are mounted in classic fashion.

This Bugatti was delivered new in 1931 to an owner in the Czech Republic and benefits from a beautifully documented history. It traveled from Czechoslovakia to Switzerland and eventually returned. In the 1970s, this Type 49 underwent an extensive restoration, carried out in what we would now describe as an “old school” manner. That is to say: restored by true craftsmen, if we may call them that, with patience and an eye for detail. The engine was completely dismantled, with components carefully weighed and perfectly balanced. All with one goal: to achieve the smoothest possible operation. And what an engine it is—an artwork in its own right.

Since then, this Bugatti has proven itself to be reliable and a pleasure to drive. The two-tone blue paintwork suits it beautifully, complemented by a black leather interior that matches perfectly. What makes a Bugatti like this so special is that no two examples are ever the same. Each car has its own story and history. And that is precisely what makes it so appealing to enthusiasts and collectors.

A Bugatti deserves far more words than this. This is a vehicle from an era in which engineering, design, and craftsmanship came together at a level that still commands admiration today. And you can feel that in every detail.

Are you interested in this remarkable Bugatti? Contact Gallery Aaldering. Since 1975, we have been a family-owned company with a passion for the finest automobiles in the world. We export our vehicles worldwide—please inquire about the possibilities.