Ettore Bugatti
Ettore Bugatti was an Italian-born French automobile designer and manufacturer who founded Automobiles E. Bugatti, known for producing fast and technologically advanced cars.
Entrepreneur
September 15, 1881
August 21, 1947
65
Ettore Arco Isidoro Bugatti, born on 15 September 1881 and passed away on 21 August 1947, was an Italian-born French automobile designer and manufacturer. He is best known as the founder of Automobiles E. Bugatti, an automobile manufacturing company established in 1909 in Molsheim, France. Born into an artistic family, his father, Carlo Bugatti, was a renowned furniture and jewelry designer in the Art Nouveau style.
Some of Bugatti’s most famous creations include the Bugatti Type 35, Type 41 Royale, and Type 55 Roadster. The Type 35 was a highly successful racing car that won numerous races and championships in the 1920s. The Type 41 Royale, designed for royalty and the elite, was a luxury car featuring a massive 12.7-liter engine. The Type 55 Roadster was a stylish and high-performance sports car.
Besides automobile designs, Bugatti also contributed to the design and production of aircraft engines and racing cars, achieving notable success in the Targa Florio race in 1924. His legacy goes beyond engineering excellence, as he made a lasting impact on the automotive industry with his innovative and timeless designs.
Other significant works and accomplishments of Ettore Bugatti include the Bugatti Type 18, also known as the ‘Black Bess,’ which was one of the most important pre-war Bugattis and among the first street-legal race cars. He also played a crucial role in producing the Bugatti Type 57 touring car, which became the best-selling Bugatti touring car with a body designed by his son Jean. Under Jean’s guidance, the Bugatti Type 59 racing car was developed.
Ettore Bugatti was known for his superstitions, especially regarding the number 13. He avoided cars and hotel rooms with the number 13 and refused to start any project on a Friday the 13th.
Ettore Bugatti’s dedication to engineering excellence and his contributions to the automotive industry have cemented his position as one of the most influential figures in automotive history. His company, Automobiles E. Bugatti, was renowned for producing some of the fastest and most technologically advanced cars of its era.
