1926 Bugatti Type 23 Brescia CabrioletThis 1926 Bugatti Type 23 Brescia Cabriolet was photographed at The Nethercutt Collection in Sylmar, Calif.

It was manufactured by Automobiles E. Bugatti of Molsheim, France, with the coach built by Gaston Grummer of Clichy, France.

It boasts an SOHC 16-valve, 4-cylinder 40hp engine.

“The Type 23 Bugatti Brescia was an affordable small car from the same builder whose race cars dominated European racing throughout the two decades before World War II,” a Nethercutt display summary states.

“The car is in its original (unrestored) condition and has a fabric body of color-impregnated cloth by Gaston Grummer and Weymann of France. This car was bought from the Paris Show in 1926 by A.P. Giannini ~ founder of the Bank of Italy, which became Bank of America.”

He purchased it for his son Virgil. In the annals of automotive history, few vehicles have captured the imagination and reverence of enthusiasts quite like the 1926 Bugatti Type 23 Brescia Cabriolet.

This remarkable automobile, produced by the iconic French automaker Ettore Bugatti, stands as a symbol of innovation, craftsmanship and the pursuit of automotive perfection.

1926 Bugatti Type 23 Brescia CabrioletThis 1926 Bugatti Type 23 Brescia Cabriolet was photographed at The Nethercutt Collection in Sylmar, Calif.

It was manufactured by Automobiles E. Bugatti of Molsheim, France, with the coach built by Gaston Grummer of Clichy, France.

It boasts an SOHC 16-valve, 4-cylinder 40hp engine.

“The Type 23 Bugatti Brescia was an affordable small car from the same builder whose race cars dominated European racing throughout the two decades before World War II,” a Nethercutt display summary states.

“The car is in its original (unrestored) condition and has a fabric body of color-impregnated cloth by Gaston Grummer and Weymann of France. This car was bought from the Paris Show in 1926 by A.P. Giannini ~ founder of the Bank of Italy, which became Bank of America.”

He purchased it for his son Virgil. This 1926 Bugatti Type 23 Brescia Cabriolet was photographed at The Nethercutt Collection in Sylmar, Calif., where my lovely wife Kathleen and I were able to view and photograph it.

It was manufactured by Automobiles E. Bugatti of Molsheim, France, with the coach built by Gaston Grummer of Clichy, France.

“Of all the French marques, Bugatti was perhaps the greatest automaker to provide chassis for custom coachwork,” states a book we purchased at The Nethercutt titled, “The Nethercutt Collection: The Cars of San Sylmar,” by Dennis Alder.

1926 Bugatti Type 23 Brescia CabrioletThis 1926 Bugatti Type 23 Brescia Cabriolet was photographed at The Nethercutt Collection in Sylmar, Calif.

It was manufactured by Automobiles E. Bugatti of Molsheim, France, with the coach built by Gaston Grummer of Clichy, France.

It boasts an SOHC 16-valve, 4-cylinder 40hp engine.

“The Type 23 Bugatti Brescia was an affordable small car from the same builder whose race cars dominated European racing throughout the two decades before World War II,” a Nethercutt display summary states.

“The car is in its original (unrestored) condition and has a fabric body of color-impregnated cloth by Gaston Grummer and Weymann of France. This car was bought from the Paris Show in 1926 by A.P. Giannini ~ founder of the Bank of Italy, which became Bank of America.”

He purchased it for his son Virgil. “Ettore Bugatti was to his small region in Alsace, France, what Henry Ford was to Dearborn, Mich.,” Alder states. “From around 1910 to 1951, nearly 8,000 cars bearing the Bugatti signature were produced at the factory works in Molsheim.”

“The Type 23 Bugatti Brescia was an affordable small car from the same builder whose race cars dominated European racing throughout the two decades before World War II,” a Nethercutt display summary states.

The car boasts a fabric exterior.

“The fabric body, which was patented in France by Charles Weymann in 1921 and licensed to more than 50 different coachbuilders,” Alder notes, “was comprised of a color-impregnated Zapon cloth resembling leather in both appearance and texture.

1926 Bugatti Type 23 Brescia CabrioletThis 1926 Bugatti Type 23 Brescia Cabriolet was photographed at The Nethercutt Collection in Sylmar, Calif.

It was manufactured by Automobiles E. Bugatti of Molsheim, France, with the coach built by Gaston Grummer of Clichy, France.

It boasts an SOHC 16-valve, 4-cylinder 40hp engine.

“The Type 23 Bugatti Brescia was an affordable small car from the same builder whose race cars dominated European racing throughout the two decades before World War II,” a Nethercutt display summary states.

“The car is in its original (unrestored) condition and has a fabric body of color-impregnated cloth by Gaston Grummer and Weymann of France. This car was bought from the Paris Show in 1926 by A.P. Giannini ~ founder of the Bank of Italy, which became Bank of America.”

He purchased it for his son Virgil. “The bodies were padded with either curled horsehair or cotton waste, tacked and stitched to the car's ash framework, and backed by muslin or oilcloth for waterproofing.

“The bodies were light, only a few hundred pounds, surprisingly durable, and if properly maintained,” Alder continues, “long-lasting, as evidenced by this {then-} 78-year-old example, which is all-original.”

This Brescia boasts a 90-cubic-inch, SOHC 16-valve, 4-cylinder 40-hp engine.

I do not have any information pertaining to other Brescias using the same cloth exterior, so this may be the only one.

1926 Bugatti Type 23 Brescia CabrioletThis 1926 Bugatti Type 23 Brescia Cabriolet was photographed at The Nethercutt Collection in Sylmar, Calif.

It was manufactured by Automobiles E. Bugatti of Molsheim, France, with the coach built by Gaston Grummer of Clichy, France.

It boasts an SOHC 16-valve, 4-cylinder 40hp engine.

“The Type 23 Bugatti Brescia was an affordable small car from the same builder whose race cars dominated European racing throughout the two decades before World War II,” a Nethercutt display summary states.

“The car is in its original (unrestored) condition and has a fabric body of color-impregnated cloth by Gaston Grummer and Weymann of France. This car was bought from the Paris Show in 1926 by A.P. Giannini ~ founder of the Bank of Italy, which became Bank of America.”

He purchased it for his son Virgil. The Bugatti Type 23 Brescia Cabriolet was first introduced at the 1925 Paris Motor Show, where it immediately drew attention for its stunning design and powerful performance. With its graceful curves, elegant lines, and exceptional attention to detail, the Cabriolet effortlessly epitomized the art deco styling of the era.

Underneath its striking exterior, the Type 23 hid impressive mechanical prowess. Powered by a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine, this beauty boasted an astonishing 45hp, propelling it to a top speed of 85 miles per hour (137 kilometers per hour) – an impressive feat for its time.

What truly set the Bugatti Type 23 Brescia Cabriolet apart, however, was its racing pedigree. Inspired by Bugatti's triumph in the 1924 Brescia Grand Prix, Bugatti produced a limited number of Type 23 Brescia models, specifically designed for racing enthusiasts. These cars were stripped of unnecessary features, making them lightning-fast on the track.

1926 Bugatti Type 23 Brescia CabrioletThis 1926 Bugatti Type 23 Brescia Cabriolet was photographed at The Nethercutt Collection in Sylmar, Calif.

It was manufactured by Automobiles E. Bugatti of Molsheim, France, with the coach built by Gaston Grummer of Clichy, France.

It boasts an SOHC 16-valve, 4-cylinder 40hp engine.

“The Type 23 Bugatti Brescia was an affordable small car from the same builder whose race cars dominated European racing throughout the two decades before World War II,” a Nethercutt display summary states.

“The car is in its original (unrestored) condition and has a fabric body of color-impregnated cloth by Gaston Grummer and Weymann of France. This car was bought from the Paris Show in 1926 by A.P. Giannini ~ founder of the Bank of Italy, which became Bank of America.”

He purchased it for his son Virgil. One of the most significant moments in the Type 23 Brescia Cabriolet's history came in the legendary Targa Florio race of 1927. Piloted by Italian driver Meo Constantini, a Type 23 Brescia proved its mettle against fierce competition, triumphing over a grueling 1,080-kilometer (671-mile) course through the mountains of Sicily. This iconic victory catapulted the Bugatti name into the forefront of motorsport excellence.

Despite its undeniable success in the racing world, the 1926 Bugatti Type 23 Brescia Cabriolet also found favor among wealthy car enthusiasts who sought a blend of luxury and performance. Its driving experience offered an unrivaled level of comfort, with high-quality materials, plush seating, and innovative features for the era.

1926 Bugatti Type 23 Brescia CabrioletThis 1926 Bugatti Type 23 Brescia Cabriolet was photographed at The Nethercutt Collection in Sylmar, Calif.

It was manufactured by Automobiles E. Bugatti of Molsheim, France, with the coach built by Gaston Grummer of Clichy, France.

It boasts an SOHC 16-valve, 4-cylinder 40hp engine.

“The Type 23 Bugatti Brescia was an affordable small car from the same builder whose race cars dominated European racing throughout the two decades before World War II,” a Nethercutt display summary states.

“The car is in its original (unrestored) condition and has a fabric body of color-impregnated cloth by Gaston Grummer and Weymann of France. This car was bought from the Paris Show in 1926 by A.P. Giannini ~ founder of the Bank of Italy, which became Bank of America.”

He purchased it for his son Virgil. Today, finding a well-preserved Bugatti Type 23 Brescia Cabriolet is a rare sight. Due to its limited production run, only a handful of these masterpieces still exist, making them highly coveted by collectors and museums worldwide. Their scarcity also contributes to their astronomical value at auction, often fetching millions of dollars when they come up for sale.

“This car was bought from the Paris Show in 1926 by A.P. Giannini ~ founder of the Bank of Italy, which became Bank of America,” Nethercutt's display noted. 

Giannini purchased it for his son Virgil.

Giannini’s legacy to his son, then a legacy to others, and now to Nethercutt remains an automotive icon, embodying the elegance and engineering brilliance of a bygone era.

Its timeless design, breathtaking performance, and storied history continue to captivate enthusiasts, ensuring its enduring legacy for generations to come.

As the years roll on, this automotive masterpiece serves as a testament to the passion and ingenuity of Ettore Bugatti, forever etching his name in the halls of automotive greatness.

1926 Bugatti Type 23 Brescia CabrioletThis 1926 Bugatti Type 23 Brescia Cabriolet was photographed at The Nethercutt Collection in Sylmar, Calif.

It was manufactured by Automobiles E. Bugatti of Molsheim, France, with the coach built by Gaston Grummer of Clichy, France.

It boasts an SOHC 16-valve, 4-cylinder 40hp engine.

“The Type 23 Bugatti Brescia was an affordable small car from the same builder whose race cars dominated European racing throughout the two decades before World War II,” a Nethercutt display summary states.

“The car is in its original (unrestored) condition and has a fabric body of color-impregnated cloth by Gaston Grummer and Weymann of France. This car was bought from the Paris Show in 1926 by A.P. Giannini ~ founder of the Bank of Italy, which became Bank of America.”

He purchased it for his son Virgil.