Discover the World's Largest Bugatti Collection at the Schlumpf Museum in France
by AutoExpert | 1 July, 2024
Alright, buckle up gearheads, we're going on a trip through Bugatti history! Forget fancy museums with dusty old cars, this is the Schlumpf Collection in France, a place overflowing with Bugattis – like, the world's biggest collection. We're talking 80 Bugattis, tracing the whole family tree from way back when to shiny new rides.
Now, this museum isn't a one-trick pony. It's got tons of other cars too, everything from grandpappy steam cars to crazy race machines. But since we were there for the unveiling of the Bugatti Tourbillon (sweet name, right?), we focused on the Bugattis. Here are some of the coolest ones, kind of in the order they were built:
1904 Mathis Hermés Simplex Biplace Sport: This little number was born when Ettore Bugatti was still tinkering with his early ideas. Teaming up with Émile Mathis, they built this sweet ride that could hit 80 mph, which was seriously fast back then.
1913 Peugeot Torpedo Type BB: Even after starting his own company, Ettore still needed some cash flow. So, he did some engineering consulting on the side, like helping Peugeot with this little car. Don't let the size fool you, it's still a Bugatti at heart.
1921 Bugatti Type 28: This prototype is kind of a turning point for Bugatti. It's the first car with their signature straight-eight engine and that famous horseshoe grille we all know. Plus, it had a bunch of cool features like dials on the steering wheel to adjust the engine.
1927 Bugatti Type 35B: This car basically invented the whole "ready-made race car" thing. You could order this supercharged beast straight from the factory and tear up the track. This French Blue beauty with the curvy bodywork is just a sight to behold.
1928 Bugatti Type 52: Imagine being a rich kid in the Jazz Age and wanting to be a race car driver. Well, you couldn't exactly hop on Forza back then. But you could get this! It's a battery-powered, half-sized version of the Type 35, perfect for zooming around your estate or racing your buddies.
1936/1956 Type 57: By the 1930s, Bugatti was all in on the Type 57. This one started as a cabriolet, but then got a modern makeover in the 50s. Talk about a restomod before restomods were even a thing!
1952 Type 101: Bugatti almost went extinct in the early 50s. This car was an attempt to revive the brand by sticking new bodies on leftover chassis from the 40s. It wasn't exactly a hit, but hey, at least they tried, right?
1955 Bugatti Type 251: Roland Bugatti, Ettore's son, wouldn't give up on reviving the brand. This single-seat race car was his last shot. Sadly, it wasn't a win, and Bugatti disappeared for another 30 years.
1927/1933 Bugatti Type 41: Ettore wanted to build the most exclusive car ever. This giant beast with a massive engine is what he came up with. The Great Depression kinda messed up his plans, but these two beauties in the museum are definitely worth a peek.
So, that's a taste of the Bugatti goodness at the Schlumpf Collection. Pretty rad, right? If you're ever in France and want to see some seriously historic cars, this is the place to go!