History of Bugatti in Timeline

Bugatti was a French high-performance automobile manufacturer founded in 1909 by Italian-born Ettore Bugatti in Molsheim, Alsace (then part of Germany). Renowned for their exquisite design and racing success, iconic models include the Type 35 Grand Prix cars, the luxurious Type 41 "Royale", the stylish Type 57 "Atlantic", and the Type 55 sports car. Bugatti cars are known for their beauty and performance.

1909: Company Founding

In 1909, Automobiles Ettore Bugatti, a French manufacturer of high-performance automobiles, was founded in Molsheim, Alsace, by Italian-born industrial designer Ettore Bugatti.

October 1919: Paris Motor Show Exhibition

In October 1919, Bugatti exhibited three light cars at the 15th Paris motor show: a "Type 13" with a racing body, a "Type 22", and a "Type 23".

1919: Alsace transfer to France

In 1919 the Alsace region became part of France.

1924: Bugatti Type 35 Development

In 1924, the Bugatti Type 35 was developed, and it participated in its first Grand Prix in Lyon.

1925: Sinking of Bugatti Brescia Type 22

In 1925, the Bugatti Brescia Type 22 sank to the bottom of Lake Maggiore.

1925: Targa Florio Victory

Starting in 1925, Bugattis won the Targa Florio for five years straight.

1929: Targa Florio Victory

In 1929, Bugattis won the Targa Florio for five years straight.

1929: Monaco Grand Prix Win

In 1929, a privately entered Bugatti won the first ever Monaco Grand Prix.

1937: Ownership of Bugatti Type 57S Atalante

In 1937, British race car driver Earl Howe originally owned Bugatti Type 57S Atalante.

1937: Le Mans Win

In 1937, Jean-Pierre Wimille and Robert Benoist won the 24 hours of Le Mans in a Bugatti.

August 1939: Death of Jean Bugatti

On August 11, 1939, Jean Bugatti died while testing a Type 57 tank-bodied race car near the Molsheim factory.

1939: Le Mans Victory

In 1939, Jean-Pierre Wimille and Pierre Veyron won Le Mans with one car and meager resources.

1939: Death of Jean Bugatti

In 1939, the death of Ettore Bugatti's son Jean meant that there was no successor to lead the factory.

1940: Death of Carlo Bugatti

In 1940, Carlo Bugatti (Ettore's father) passed away.

August 1947: Death of Ettore Bugatti

On August 21, 1947, Ettore Bugatti died, leading to further decline of the business. A 375 cc supercharged car development was stopped.

1947: Death of Ettore Bugatti

The death of Ettore Bugatti in 1947 proved to be a severe blow to the marque.

October 1952: Last Appearance at Paris Motor Show

In October 1952, Bugatti made its last appearance as a business in its own right at the Paris Motor Show.

1952: Cessation of Operations

In 1952, the original Bugatti ceased operations.

1963: Sale to Hispano-Suiza

In 1963, Bugatti, which continued manufacturing airplane parts, was sold to Hispano-Suiza.

1963: Company Purchased

In 1963, the company was purchased for its airplane parts business.

1965: Turin Motor Show Appearance

In 1965, a show version of Virgil Exner's Bugatti "Revival Cars" project, built by Ghia using the last Bugatti Type 101 chassis, was shown at the Turin Motor Show.

1968: Snecma Takeover

In 1968, Snecma took over Hispano-Suiza.

1977: Merger into Messier-Bugatti

In 1977, Snecma merged Messier and Bugatti into Messier-Bugatti.

1987: Brand Acquisition

In 1987, Romano Artioli acquired the Bugatti brand and established Bugatti Automobili S.p.A.

1988: Factory Construction Begins

In 1988, construction of the Bugatti factory began in Campogalliano, Modena, Italy, alongside the development of the first model.

1989: New Bugatti Plans Presented

In 1989, the plans for the new Bugatti revival were presented by Paolo Stanzani and Marcello Gandini.

June 1990: Materazzi Replacement

In June 1990, Nicola Materazzi replaced Paolo Stanzani as Artioli clashed with Stanzani over engineering decisions.

1990: Factory Inauguration

In 1990, the Bugatti factory in Campogalliano, Modena, Italy, was inaugurated.

1992: Materazzi Departure

In late 1992, Nicola Materazzi left his role as Director.

August 1993: Purchase of Lotus Cars

On August 27, 1993, Romano Artioli purchased Lotus Cars from General Motors.

1993: Presentation of EB112 Prototype

In 1993, Bugatti presented a prototype large saloon called the EB112.

1994: Forghieri technical director

From 1993 through 1994 Mauro Forghieri served as Bugatti's technical director.

1994: Michael Schumacher's EB110 Purchase

In 1994, Michael Schumacher purchased an EB110.

September 1995: Cessation of Operations

In September 1995, poor economic conditions caused Bugatti to fail and operations ceased.

1997: Dauer Racing Purchase

In 1997, Dauer Racing purchased the EB110 license and remaining parts stock to produce five more EB110 SS vehicles.

1998: Brand Acquisition by Volkswagen Group

In 1998, Volkswagen Group acquired the Bugatti brand.

1999: Concept Vehicle Debuts

In 1998 and 1999, Bugatti Automobiles showcased the EB118, EB 218 and 18/3 Chiron concept vehicles.

1999: Bugatti 18/3 Chiron Concept Car

In 1999, Bugatti Automobiles S.A.S. named the Bugatti 18/3 Chiron concept car in honor of Louis Chiron.

September 2005: Bugatti Veyron Production Begins

In September 2005, Bugatti Automobiles S.A.S. began assembling the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 in Molsheim, France.

July 2009: Recovery of Bugatti Brescia Type 22

On July 10, 2009, a 1925 Bugatti Brescia Type 22 was recovered from Lake Maggiore after 75 years.

2009: Discovery of Rare Bugatti

In 2009, relatives of Harold Carr found a rare 1937 Bugatti Type 57S Atalante while cataloguing his belongings after his death.

2010: Auction of Bugatti Brescia Type 22

In 2010, the Mullin Museum bought the 1925 Bugatti Brescia Type 22 at auction for $351,343.

2011: Dauer Stops Production

In 2011, Dauer stopped producing cars.

February 2015: Last Veyron Sold

On February 23, 2015, Bugatti sold its last Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse, named La Finale.

March 1, 2016: Bugatti Chiron Unveiling

On March 1, 2016, the Bugatti Chiron was first revealed at the Geneva Motor Show.

February 2024: Announcement of Chiron Successor

In February 2024, Bugatti announced the successor to the Chiron, which will use a V16 hybrid-electric powertrain.

June 2024: Chiron Successor Confirmed as Bugatti Tourbillon

In June 2024, the successor to the Chiron was confirmed as the Bugatti Tourbillon.

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