Jay Leno checks out the distinctive 1931 Bugatti Sort 51 Dubos Coupe

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The 1931 Bugatti Sort 51 Dubos Coupe is a singular mixture of coach-built bodywork and race automobile mechanicals. Now a part of California’s Nethercutt Assortment, it was lately featured on “Jay Leno’s Storage,” the place Cameron Richards, vp of the gathering, defined its design and historical past.

This automobile began out as a grand prix racer, and was pushed in competitors by Louis Chiron (namesake of the Bugatti Chiron) and Rene Dreyfus. It was bought in 1936 to Andre Bith, who commissioned Parisian coachbuilder Louis Dubos to transform it right into a highway automobile. Dubos gave the automobile its distinctive bodywork (which Leno notes is just like the Bugatti Sort 57SC Atlantic), and it has been generally known as the Dubos Coupe ever since.

The Sort 51 retained its racing engine, a 2.3-liter dual-overhead-cam supercharged inline-8 that makes about 185 hp on gasoline, or 200 hp on alcohol. Coupled to a 4-speed handbook transmission, the engine can propel this automobile to 140 mph.

1931 Bugatti Type 51 Dubos Coupe on Jay Leno's Garage

1931 Bugatti Sort 51 Dubos Coupe on Jay Leno’s Storage

On the again are 4 small tailpipes. This was completed to keep away from clearance points with one, larger-diameter tailpipe, Leno mentioned. The entrance wheels have easy covers, however Bugatti’s conventional spoked racing wheels will be seen poking out under the rear-fender skirts. One other quirk is the gas filler, which is situated within the cabin and surrounded by leather-based upholstery and certain makes refueling a bit nerve wracking.

The coupe modified fingers a couple of instances through the years, and at one level the chassis and Dubos physique had been separated. The Nethercutt Assortment acquired the chassis, after which situated the physique, which was in a set in Colorado. After virtually 50 years, the 2 parts had been reunited as a part of a full restoration.

Like all vehicles within the Nethercutt Assortment, the Dubos Coupe is absolutely drivable, as Leno demonstrates by taking it for a drive close to his Los Angeles-area storage.

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