Bugatti 43 Zapadlik
Year of Manufacture: 1928 Power: 120 hp Displacement: 2,262 cm3
Number of Cylinders/Valves: 8/3 Weight: 1100 kg
Condition: functional Catalogue Number: 54
This car has a long and rich history.
In 1927, Bugatti introduced the Type 43. This model was based on the most famous Bugatti racing car, the 35 GP. Ettore Bugatti wanted the Type 43 to offer the thrill of racing also to amateur drivers who could afford this very expensive car for its time. It was suitable both for racing and everyday driving. It was often seen at sports car races. The chassis was a new design, while the engine (with Roots supercharger), transmission, axles, and wheels were the same as in the Type 35 racing model. Bugatti produced either just the chassis for further coachbuilding or cars from the factory with an open, four-seat sports body.
This particular car was purchased in 1928 to Poland, where it participated in various races. It raced throughout the 1930s, after which its fate is unknown. Eventually, it was sold in very poor condition in 1975 from Poland to Switzerland. The car, which was later “split” into chassis and body (or rather what was left of it), was bought in 2006 by a collector from the Czech Republic, and a full restoration began.
The body was in relatively good condition, but many individual parts were missing. Ultimately, the entire body was reconstructed by Václav Zapadlík (hence the car’s nickname). After enormous effort, the car was reassembled into a drivable condition. However, during the first drives, the engine was damaged and the car was disassembled again.
The car was eventually purchased by the Samohýl family collection and is currently being restored to its original, complete, and operational state.
