Author Topic: Solved - MJW #1075 - Bugatti Type 46 "Trans Sahara" by Georges Combe c.1931 (Read 1124 times)

woodinsight · « **on:** December 27, 2012, 03:40:38 AM »

Last one for today.
Identify, as always, the marque, model, year and coachbuilder of this unusual car and tell me what it was intended for.

Carnut · « **Reply #1 on:** December 27, 2012, 05:35:27 AM »

Some terrific puzzles today.
You must have been saving them up!

woodinsight · « **Reply #2 on:** December 27, 2012, 05:45:32 AM »

Quote from: Carnut on December 27, 2012, 05:35:27 AM

Some terrific puzzles today.
You must have been saving them up!

Not really - it's just that I now have access to my library and my shelves are full again!

FrontMan · « **Reply #3 on:** December 31, 2012, 06:56:10 PM »

I seem to recall a heavily-modded 3Ltr. Bentley intended for expeditionary work,....is this it?

woodinsight · « **Reply #4 on:** January 04, 2013, 02:23:17 AM »

Quote from: FrontMan on December 31, 2012, 06:56:10 PM

I seem to recall a heavily-modded 3Ltr. Bentley intended for expeditionary work,....is this it?

This isn't a Bentley but it was modified for a specific event rather than purely for an expedition.

You're almost an Expert so sorry to disappoint you with your latest replies - I'm sure you'll get there very soon!

woodinsight · « **Reply #5 on:** January 05, 2013, 03:04:03 AM »

Time for an Expert opinion

kwgibbs · « **Reply #6 on:** January 06, 2013, 11:35:04 AM »

for a safari?

woodinsight · « **Reply #7 on:** January 06, 2013, 02:54:32 PM »

Quote from: kwgibbs on January 06, 2013, 11:35:04 AM

for a safari?

Not specifically for a safari but built for an event that would cross a hostile environment

nicanary · « **Reply #8 on:** January 06, 2013, 02:59:00 PM »

Was it built for one of the early Trans-Sahara rallies which were the forerunner of the Paris_Dakar?

D-type · « **Reply #9 on:** January 06, 2013, 03:36:05 PM »

Or for the 1936 Nairobi-Johannesburg race?

Bill Murray · « **Reply #10 on:** January 06, 2013, 04:36:02 PM »

Just fishing, which I normally don't like to do, but the vehicle looks rather French to me.
Is that a proper direction??

woodinsight · « **Reply #11 on:** January 07, 2013, 02:20:41 AM »

Quote from: nicanary on January 06, 2013, 02:59:00 PM

Was it built for one of the early Trans-Sahara rallies which were the forerunner of the Paris_Dakar?

Yes, follow that route!

woodinsight · « **Reply #12 on:** January 07, 2013, 02:21:17 AM »

Quote from: D-type on January 06, 2013, 03:36:05 PM

Or for the 1936 Nairobi-Johannesburg race?

Not built for that event....

woodinsight · « **Reply #13 on:** January 07, 2013, 02:22:01 AM »

Quote from: Bill Murray on January 06, 2013, 04:36:02 PM

Just fishing, which I normally don't like to do, but the vehicle looks rather French to me.
Is that a proper direction??

French is a good direction....

nicanary · « **Reply #14 on:** January 07, 2013, 06:21:36 AM »

Algeria? Those wheels look like Bugatti to me.

woodinsight · « **Reply #15 on:** January 07, 2013, 07:34:13 AM »

Quote from: nicanary on January 07, 2013, 06:21:36 AM

Algeria? Those wheels look like Bugatti to me.

Yes, it's a Bugatti......

nicanary · « **Reply #16 on:** January 07, 2013, 07:51:39 AM »

Right, first guess. Bugatti T46, circa 1932. (?)

woodinsight · « **Reply #17 on:** January 07, 2013, 11:33:42 AM »

Quote from: nicanary on January 07, 2013, 07:51:39 AM

Right, first guess. Bugatti T46, circa 1932. (?)

Yes it's a Bugatti Type 46 although I have the year as 1931.
I'll LOCK it for you until your next reply to see if you know who built the bodywork.

nicanary · « **Reply #18 on:** January 08, 2013, 07:39:34 AM »

To be honest, it looks home-made! Would a coachbuilder be prepared to admit to constructing that?

woodinsight · « **Reply #19 on:** January 08, 2013, 02:57:06 PM »

Quote from: nicanary on January 08, 2013, 07:39:34 AM

To be honest, it looks home-made! Would a coachbuilder be prepared to admit to constructing that?

Whilst I agree with you, someone built this bodywork and I just need to know who.....
Have another try before I open it again.

nicanary · « **Reply #20 on:** January 08, 2013, 04:34:02 PM »

British coachbuilder?

woodinsight · « **Reply #21 on:** January 09, 2013, 02:20:33 AM »

Quote from: nicanary on January 08, 2013, 04:34:02 PM

British coachbuilder?

Not British.....
OPEN again

Bill Murray · « **Reply #22 on:** January 09, 2013, 02:54:46 AM »

A most interesting vehicle and story.

Ca. 1931 Bugatti Type 46.

Built by Monsieur Georges Combe to participate in the Rallye Alger-Le Cap in, I believe 1951.

According to my source, the vehicle did not participate in the Rallye due to the team being "indisponibilite" due to "tardive". This I believe means the team was not available due to tardiness or lateness.

I think what distracted us was the age of the car and the timing of the Rallye. I know for sure, I was stuck looking in the early to mid 1930's and must have reviewed a dozen or more rallyes all over the world in that time period.

woodinsight · « **Reply #23 on:** January 09, 2013, 03:53:44 AM »

Quote from: Bill Murray on January 09, 2013, 02:54:46 AM

A most interesting vehicle and story.

Ca. 1931 Bugatti Type 46.

Built by Monsieur Georges Combe to participate in the Rallye Alger-Le Cap in, I believe 1951.

According to my source, the vehicle did not participate in the Rallye due to the team being "indisponibilite" due to "tardive". This I believe means the team was not available due to tardiness or lateness.

I think what distracted us was the age of the car and the timing of the Rallye. I know for sure, I was stuck looking in the early to mid 1930's and must have reviewed a dozen or more rallyes all over the world in that time period.

Indeed a most interesting vehicle and story.
You are quite correct of course and another point is added to your tally.

sixtee5cuda · « **Reply #24 on:** January 09, 2013, 09:36:47 AM »

Chassis 46331 was originally a Figoni Cabriolet. Many years after the rally project, the car was sold, and the new owner retrieved the original body from Combe and restored it on the correct chassis. Here is an auction picture, where it sold for $333,500.

News:

Author Topic: Solved - MJW #1075 - Bugatti Type 46 "Trans Sahara" by Georges Combe c.1931 (Read 1124 times)