Ettore Arco Isidoro Bugatti was born in Milan, Italy on 15th September 1881. He is remembered for making the Bugatti name world renowned for fine luxury automobiles and highly competitive racing cars. Ettore Bugatti was born into an artistic family, the elder son of Carlo Bugatti, a celebrated “Art Nouveau” furniture and jewellery designer, his younger brother Rembrandt Bugatti, was a renowned animal sculptor.
Bugatti’s father wanted him to follow an ordinary technical apprenticeship with one of the Milanese tri/quadricycle manufacturers, but the Ettore quickly showed a deep innate cognizance of diverse spectrum of aspects of automobile construction, and in 1898, with Prinetti & Stucchi, constructed his “Bugatti Type 1”. Taking financial support from a Count Gulinelli, Ettore Bugatti developed a second prototype, the “Type 2”, which became a prize-winning divulge at the Milan Trade Fair in 1901.
The Type 2, caught the eye of Barom Adrien de Turckheim, who offered Bugatti the opportunity to design automobiles at his Lorraine-Dietrich car factory in Niederbronn. As the German auto industry was growing, Ettore Bugatti decided to move to Germany, and in 1902, he relocated himself to Alsace, Molsheim (which was part of Germany since 1871, but the French took control of it in 1919). From 1902 through to 1904, De Dietrich built his Type 3-4 and Type 5/6/7, named “De Dietrich, Licence Bugatti”.
In 1909, Bugatti created the automobile company bearing his name, and he was known for some of the fastest, most luxurious and technologically advanced road cars of its era. Remarkable engineering led to victory in early Grand Prix motor racing, with a Bugatti being driven to success in the first Monaco GP. Following the World War I, the French-German border changed, which meant that Bugatti’s company was now in French-controlled territory. Soon after that, the Bugatti name became known throughout the world for automated and accurate manufacturing processes combined with exquisite artisanship.
Bugatti cars were rivalled against Rolls Royce and Auto Union’s Horch brand, who built cars of the highest quality for the wealthy and powerful. During the 1930s, the Bugatti Royale Type-41 became one of the most desirable luxury cars of all time. Bugatti cars are also well reputed in the field of auto racing. The Type-35, totally dominated the racing scene for several years while also facing tough competition given by Fiat, Mercedes and Bentley.
In 1947, Ettore Bugatti became a French citizen. He died that year, aged 66. He was inducted in the Automotive Hall of Fame in 2000. The Bugatti name, till this day, remains famous for fine styling, craftmanship and outstanding engineering.
Gallery
Share this Article
Your comment will be verified by admin before going live
This was a really interesting one to read!