Bugatti Prototypes

Bugatti created a number of prototype vehicles which never reached full production.

Type 56

The Type 56 was an electric vehicle like some of Ettore Bugatti's earliest designs. A single example was built, and it was used as a runabout at the Molsheim factory.

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The Type 56 was a tiny 2-seat open car very much in the style of turn-of-the-century horseless carriages or voiturettes. Power came from a single 28 amp electric motor producing 1 hp (0.8 kW). Energy was stored in six 6 volt accumulators in parallel for a total of 36 volts.

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The motor was mounted directly to the frame and drove the rear wheels through gears. Electric braking was allowed, and both hand- and foot-brakes operated on rear wheel drums. Four forward speeds were available, and the vehicle could accelerate to 28 km/h (17.4 mph). Steering was by tiller.

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