The Type 56 was an electric vehicle like some of Ettore Bugatti's earliest designs. The number built is controversial; six seems the most likely answer. The first 56 was used as Bugatti's personal runabout at the Molsheim factory.
The Type 56 was originally designed for private use by Ettore Bugatti as a factory runabout, but due to popular demand from previous customers convinced him to put the vehicle into production.
The Type 56 was a tiny 2-seat open car very much in the style of turn-of-the-century horseless carriages or voiturettes. Power came from a single 28 amp electric motor producing 1 hp (0.8 kW). Energy was stored in six 6 volt accumulators in series for a total of 36 volts.
The motor was mounted directly to the frame and drove the rear wheels through gears. Electric braking was allowed, and both hand- and foot-brakes operated on rear wheel drums. Four forward speeds were available, and the vehicle could accelerate to 28 km/h (17.4 mph). Steering was by tiller.
Ettore Bugatti's personal Type 56 is part of the collection at the Musée National de l'Automobile de Mulhouse.
Read more about this topic: Bugatti Prototypes
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