1965 Exner-Bugatti

Bugatti tried a comeback after WWII with a modified chassis of the type T57.

Bugatti 101 design sketch
design sketch by Virgil Exner jr.

The new model, called "T101", had a 3257ccm engine. The supercharged version "T101C" (C=Compresseur) had about 200hp.

Exner's model
model by Exner's studio

Bugatti built only 7 chassis, the very last one (#101506) having been sold to Exner in 1961 for $2500.

Bugatti 101C-X
thanks to the mirror the model looks like a complete car

At Ghia the chassis was shortened 46cm, and the bodywork with the design of the Bugatti Revival Car was placed on it with some minor changes.

Exner-Bugatti T101
after more than 40 years, the model is still in excellent condition

The car was presented at Turin 1965.

Bugatti T101C Exner
press-photo

After several years, Exner sold the car to Thomas Barett III. After that, it was sold to Irving Tushinsky. The Blackhawk Collection bought it in about 1984 from an anonymous owner and sold it later to William Lyon, the current owner.

Bugatti T101C Exner
Photo by Blackhawk Collection

In September 2007, a dream come true, I had the chance to see this wonderful car in person:

At the "Era of Exner Event", I was able to see the very last "real" Bugatti, and, of course, to take some pictures.

Compared to the Renwal-Revival Kit-Car, the headlights are not freestanding,
and instead of being round they have a square shape.
Anyway, you can see that the Stutz design was inspired by that car!

Compared to the original press-photo of the 60's, the car shows chromed wire-wheels,
instead of white ones.

The rear-design is also very "stutzy", just the spare-wheel is missing...

Two gas filler-caps, but only one tank.

The car has suicide-doors.

Here is a look at the sporty high-class dashboard.

And a look on the beautiful engine...

In May 2022, I found out that all seven Bugatti T101 are on display at the Schlumpf-Collection.

So I took the chance, and visited the biggest Bugatti Collection at Mulhouse, France, once more.

The special exhibition will be on display until Mid September 2022.

The Exner-Bugatti was the last in the row, so some good additional photos were taken.

The T101 is still owned by the Lyon family.

You hardly can find a better place to display a Bugatti...

please note: all pictures are copyrighted!

click here to see the other models of the Bugatti T101,
and an original brochure

literature:
Collectible Automobile, October 1993
(4 pages, 7 photos, photo feature)
 


Les Sept Bugatti Type 101, book with 184 pages, only available in French
(published by I.D. l'Edition)

 

go to:
Virgil M. Exner, sr.
Virgil M. Exner, jr.

home