Barrett's #229 - Solved - Salvatori - Manoukian Bugatti special, 1954

[barrett]

An unfinished car.... who built it and when, and what engine did it use for a point. I'll give a bonus point to anyone who can provide a picture of it with finished bodywork!

[Julien1A]

John dodd's beast with rolls royce merlin engine?

[barrett]

Not that, this car pre-dates that by several decades!

[barrett]

Experts?

[barrett]

Not much action here, moving up a level

[faksta]

European, late 40s - early 50s?

[barrett]

European, late 40s - early 50s?

Indeed, I think it dates from around 1954

[woodinsight]

British?

[barrett]

The car was being constructed in the UK, but the drivetrain is from a foreign car

[woodinsight]

Is it a known make or a one-off?

[barrett]

A privately constructed one-off

[woodinsight]

It reminded me of the one-off Kieft-Oldsmobile but I guess that's not it.
Is it an American engine/drivetrain?

[barrett]

Not that, and the drivetrain is European

[faksta]

Any Bugatti parts?

[barrett]

Any Bugatti parts?

Yes! The motor is ex-Bugatti, Locked for your next reply to see if you can find out who put it together

[faksta]

Is it a T57 straight-8 then?

[barrett]

I'm not entirely sure. The article just describes it as a 'Bugatti 5 litre' but isn't specific about it's provenance. Here's a front view which may be helpful;

[bentleybob]

Is this still locked?

[faksta]

Maybe a Frazer-Nash - Bugatti by some Mr.Pittaway?

If not, it's your turn, bentleybob.

[barrett]

Maybe a Frazer-Nash - Bugatti by some Mr.Pittaway?

If not, it's your turn, bentleybob.

It's not that one.

Please go ahead bentleybob

[bentleybob]

Bugatti 50 base, adapted to hold the early 1950's Saoutchik coupé body?

[faksta]

The usual question from my side: was it (intended to be) raced?

[barrett]

Bugatti 50 base, adapted to hold the early 1950's Saoutchik coupé body?

No, this car has the Bugatti engine, and parts from many other cars. I believe the chassis was built specifically for this project.

HOWEVER! There is a very strong link with the Saoutchik bodied T50....! I'm locking this for you to see if you can find that link...

I'll also answer faksta's question; I don't believe this was built with any sort of competition in mind, but as an 'ultimate road car'

[bentleybob]

Motor dated July 7 1954 explaining what happened to the spare engine owned by mr. George Salvatori and Mr John Manoukian, who imported the Saoutchik bodied Bugatti Type 50 for Harry Hyams, with a home made tubular chassis (like a D-type Jaguar), Hobbs semi-automatic transmission, disc brakes to the front, Gregoire-inspired independent suspension, De Dion rear axle, HWM differential and Riley steering. Buiding these is usually more fun than getting all the faults out – an endless process, and I do not know if ever a body was fitted.

[barrett]

That's the one, well done. Not easy, I think.

The article states that Mr. Salvatori was actually responsible for the styling of the Saoutchik Type 50 which was built to his design...