The Last Bugatti Type 101: Virgil Exner’s Vision Behind the Type 101C Ghia

Revived Legacy - The decades after World War II were a restless period for the automotive world, a time when legacy brands searched for ways to reconnect their glorious past with a rapidly changing future. Few names carried as much emotional weight as Bugatti, a marque synonymous with elegance, innovation, and artistry. Against this backdrop, one particular car quietly emerged as a bold but fragile bridge between eras: the Bugatti Type 101C Ghia, remembered today as the last Bugatti Type 101 shaped by the vision of Virgil Exner.

The 1965 Bugatti Type 101C Ghia was was designed by Virgil Exner and built by the Italian coachbuilder Ghia. (Picture from: AllCarIndex)

The Type 101 story began as Bugatti struggled to reclaim relevance after the war. Rather than starting from scratch, the company relied on the proven foundations of the pre-war Type 57, one of the most celebrated chassis in automotive history. Seven Type 57 chassis were repurposed into Type 101 models, each entrusted to renowned coachbuilders such as Gangloff, Guilloré, and Antem. Despite their craftsmanship, these cars could not save the company from bankruptcy, leaving the Type 101 as a final, uncertain chapter for the original Bugatti enterprise.

Sketch of the Bugatti Type 101C Ghia is made by Virgil Exner. (Picture from: Madle.org)

Among those seven, one car stood apart. Chassis number 101-506 eventually became known as the Bugatti Type 101C Ghia, the final and most distinctive interpretation of the model. Its transformation was guided not by Bugatti itself, but by Virgil Exner, an influential designer better known for reshaping American automotive design. Exner acquired the chassis in 1961, seeing in it not a relic, but an opportunity to reinterpret Bugatti through a modern lens while respecting its heritage.

This Bugatti Type 101C Ghia was exhibited for the first time at the 1965 Turin Motor Show in an attempt to revive the brand. (Picture from: Madle.org)

Exner’s involvement was not accidental or impulsive. In December 1963, he published a series of visionary illustrations in Esquire magazine, proposing modern revivals of classic automobiles. Among the seven concepts, four were realized as full-scale cars, including the Bugatti Type 101C. This project placed Bugatti alongside revived American legends like the Stutz Blackhawk, Duesenberg Model D, and Mercer-Cobra, framing the French marque as timeless rather than obsolete. 

The 1965 Bugatti Type 101C Ghia also featured the sporty high-class dashboard. (Picture from: Madle.org)

To bring his design to life, Exner sent the chassis to Ghia in Italy, a coachbuilder celebrated for its ability to translate bold ideas into metal. At Ghia’s atelier, the Type 101 chassis was shortened by 460 millimeters to improve proportions, and a steel body was hand-formed around Exner’s design. Only subtle deviations were made, most notably replacing the original raked windshield with an elegant split windscreen and integrating side-mounted exhaust pipes that enhanced the car’s visual drama.

The 1965 Bugatti Type 101C Ghia used a slightly updated version of the 3,257 cc straight-8 supercharged engine, producing around 200 hp. (Picture from: Madle.org)

The finished car blended classical Bugatti cues with unmistakably modern touches. Its exterior flowed with long, confident lines, a low roofline, and restrained ornamentation that felt forward-looking without abandoning elegance. Inside, the cabin echoed grand touring ideals, prioritizing comfort and craftsmanship over excess, a reflection of Exner’s belief that modern luxury should feel intentional rather than ornate.

The rear-design of 1965 Bugatti Type 101C Ghia is also very "sexy," with the slim and high rear end. (Picture from: Madle.org)

After six months of meticulous work, the Type 101C Ghia debuted at the 1965 Turin Motor Show. The unveiling sparked genuine excitement, with reports suggesting around 50 potential buyers expressed interest, including high-profile figures such as Elvis Presley. The car was meant to signal a rebirth for Bugatti, but financial reality intervened. Funding never materialized, production plans were canceled, and the revival quietly collapsed before it could begin. | sSpFQCUWCCU | JdHcru2xsaU |

Exner’s personal circumstances soon mirrored the fate of the project. Facing financial difficulties, he was forced to relinquish the car, which passed through several owners before entering the Blackhawk Behring Museum in the mid-1980s. In 1988, it was acquired by General William Lyon, who still owns it today alongside historically significant Bugattis, including the Type 10 Petit Pur-Sang. Seen from today’s perspective, the Bugatti Type 101C Ghia stands not as a failure, but as a rare, thoughtful experiment—a moment when past mastery and modern imagination briefly met, leaving behind a singular automotive artifact that still resonates in the present era. *** [EKA [13032020] | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | AUTO.HOWSTUFFWORKS | MADLE.ORG | DRIVETRIBE | WIKIPEDIA | CARSTYLING.RU | ALLCARINDEX | SPECIALCARSTORE ]

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