1988 De La Chapelle Bugatti 55 - Lot 97

1988 De La Chapelle Bugatti 55 Without reserve Chassis: VF9553BC533188044 French registration - Model wanted - Same owner for 20 years - Nice tribute to Bugatti ERRATUM: A fuel supply problem is to be reported, the vehicle won't start. Born into a family with a passion for cars, Xavier de La Chapelle has forged a solid reputation for the quality of his creations and his technical rigor. In 1978, at the Geneva Motor Show, he presented his first car: an evocation of the legendary Bugatti Type 55, conceived not as a simple replica, but as a genuine tribute to the Molsheim brand. These creations were recognized by the brand, which authorized him to affix the mythical badge to his cars. Based in Saint-Chamond, near Lyon, De La Chapelle developed an ambitious project: to combine the timeless design of the 1930s with modern, reliable mechanical solutions. The result is a car that retains the spirit of a Bugatti roadster, while offering real everyday driving pleasure. Beneath its elegant lines lies a BMW 2.5-liter, in-line 6-cylinder engine developing 170 original horsepower, mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox. This typical configuration is equipped with a Hartge cylinder head cover, a particularly sought-after technical detail. The powertrain is housed in a beam chassis and clad in fiberglass bodywork. The suspension provides efficient roadholding, while braking is assured by four ventilated discs. On board, noble materials - burr walnut, leather and classic instrumentation - are in evidence, reflecting the handcrafted, made-to-measure assembly. Each car was hand-built to order, making it a rare and highly coveted model today. The example presented here was kept for several years by the Auto Musée du Lyonnais, in Vienne (Isère), before being offered for sale in 2005 with 43,223 km on the clock. It was then acquired by Pierre Tournier on October 28, 2005. Little used in recent years, it is functional and in running order, but a service check is recommended before regular use. This vehicle is offered as part of a succession and does not have a technical inspection. This De La Chapelle 55, by virtue of its rarity, original mechanical configuration and important history, represents a unique opportunity for a collector wishing to acquire an emblematic, elegant and technically accessible model. 1988 De La Chapelle Bugatti 55 Chassis: VF9553BC533188044 French registration document - Sought-after model - Same owner for 20 years - A beautiful tribute to Bugatti Born into a family passionate about cars, Xavier de La Chapelle has built a solid reputation thanks to the quality of his work and his technical expertise. In 1978, at the Geneva Motor Show, he presented his first car: a tribute to the legendary Bugatti Type 55, designed not as a simple replica, but as a true homage to the Molsheim brand. These creations were recognised by the brand, which authorised him to affix the legendary badge to his cars. Based in Saint-Chamond, near Lyon, De La Chapelle then developed an ambitious project: to combine the timeless design of the 1930s with modern and reliable mechanical solutions. The result is a car that retains the spirit of a Bugatti roadster while offering real driving pleasure on a daily basis. Beneath its elegant lines lies a BMW 2.5-litre, 6-cylinder in-line engine developing 170 horsepower, coupled with a 5-speed manual gearbox. This typical configuration is equipped with a Hartge cylinder head cover, a particularly sought-after technical detail. This powertrain is housed in a beam chassis and clad in fibreglass bodywork. The suspension offers effective road holding, while braking is provided by four ventilated discs. Inside, the presentation gives pride of place to noble materials - burr walnut, leather and classic instrumentation - reflecting the craftsmanship and bespoke assembly. Each car was built by hand to order, making it a rare and highly sought-after model today. The example presented here was kept for several years by the Auto Musée du Lyonnais in Vienne (Isère), before being offered for sale in 2005 with 43,223 km on the clock. It was then acquired on 28 October 2005 by Pierre Tournier. Although little used in recent years, it is functional and in running order, but a routine service is recommended before regular use. This vehicle is being offered as part of an estate and does not have a roadworthiness test certificate. This De La Chapelle 55, with its rarity, original mechanical configuration and significant history, represents a unique opportunity for a collector wishing to acquire an iconic,