Designed by Ettore Bugatti, an Italian born engineer who lived and built his cars in France. This T44 has a 3 litre straight 8 cylinder engine, and it has the refinement and performance typical of the Bugatti marque. Like all Bugattis the T44 was hand built to individual requirements. This model is 3 seater 'Fiacre' by Bugatti, with its characteristic horseshoe shaped radiator.

The Bugatti T44 is a French car built in Molsheim, in the heart of Alsace from 1927 to 1930. The T44 was the widest of the T40 series. In total, just over 1000 were built. The car was equipped with a 3 liter engine.

The first (Y24-1) 1928 Bugatti Type 44 was introduced in 1983.

Variations/Rarities: It first appeared painted black with bright yellow or lemon yellow side panels and a black plastic trunk.
This release had open gaps between the rear wings and number plate and a 15mm wide rear window. This type usually has beige seats but models fitted with the seats in brown, green or white plastic are also known variations which are quite hard to find. The rear window was later reduced in width to 13mm and the number plate gaps filled in.
It usually had chrome 24 spoke wheels but has been seen with chromed 12 spoke wheels.
* Although issue 3 has plated parts in silver, the luggage trunk catches are chrome.

The next release was light grey with a light grey trunk and dark red chassis and side panels.
It was fitted with solid chrome plated wheels.
There was just the one release of the grey Bugatti so there were no rare variations.

The third release was made in Macau and it was painted black with red side panels and it had a light brown trunk which was released as part of the "Great Motor Cars of the Century" collection which was a mail order set before going on general release. It was packaged in a white box.

The final release was also black but this one was made in China. It had a yellow basket weave pattern tampo to the sides of the body and a black plastic trunk.

The prize item is the black car with yellow tampo-printed side panels and grey seats.

Interesting Fact: Hugh Conway the well known automobile historian sibmitted photographs and drwings to Matchbox for use in the design of this model.

The Bugatti was re-issued in 1995 as part of the "Grand Marques" series. This model was coded by Matchbox Collectibles as YY024A/D.

Scale: 1:38

Black body, roof & chassis; yellow side panels

Light grey body & roof, red chassis; dull red side panels

Black body, roof & chassis; red side panels

Matchbox Collectibles YY024A/D; Black; Basket-Weave Panels

Door stripe

Rear window width

The early version with open gaps between the numberplate and rear wings and the later version with filled in gaps

Code 3 - Bugatti Conversion; High Speed Service Van