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Nicolas Charara

A Museum-Quality Discovery: The Legendary 1946 BUGATTI "You-You" Motorboat Brochure

An Ultra-Rare, Exceptionally Preserved Testament to Bugatti's Forgotten Maritime Heritage

Presented for sale is one of the holy grails of automotive and industrial design history, worthy of Europe's most distinguished collections. 

This is not memorabilia of Molsheim's fabled automobiles, but the original 1946 promotional brochure for a product of Ettore Bugatti's maritime passion: the "You-You à Moteur" (The Motorised You-You).

Believed to be one of only circa 50 copies ever printed—and with survivors in this immaculate condition being virtually non-existent—this brochure is far more than a collector's item; it is a time capsule from post-WWII Europe and a tangible manifesto of Bugatti's philosophy of quality.

Why This Object is Unrivaled
Several key elements make this brochure an invaluable acquisition, particularly for discerning 
German and European collectors:

Historical Context (1946): This document captures the Bugatti company's efforts to diversify and resume production at its "Chantiers Navals" (Shipyards) in Maisons-Laffitte, just before Ettore Bugatti's death in 1947. It is primary-source evidence of a rare, little-known chapter of the brand's post-war history.

Absolute Rarity: The estimated print run of only 50 copies makes it one of the rarest pieces of Bugatti ephemera in existence. Most were lost to time or heavy wear.

Exceptional Condition: Despite being over 70 years old, the brochure's condition can only be described as "near-mint." The colours of the R. Géri illustrations are vibrant, the paper stock is pristine, and the folds are intact. This level of preservation meets museum archival standards.

The "100% BUGATTI" Philosophy: The brochure emphasizes that these were no ordinary tenders. The phrases "Ensemble et détails construits par BUGATTI" (Completely built, including all details, by Bugatti) and the slogan "SÉCURITÉ, ÉLÉGANCE, FINI" (Safety, Elegance, Perfect Finish) underscore the translation of the brand's automotive perfectionism to the water.

Brochure Contents and Details
This multi-page, fold-out brochure is a masterpiece of technical and artistic communication:
Cover: A sophisticated illustration, signed by R. Géri, depicting elegant individuals enjoying a day on the water in their Bugatti boat.

Technical Illustrations: Detailed plans showing the boat was offered in three sizes (2.8, 3.3, and 4 metres). The cutaway diagram, showing how the rear-mounted engine maximized interior space, is a lesson in design.

The Engine: The Heartbeat: A dedicated section details the 4-stroke, 2 to 5 CV (HP) Bugatti engine that powered the craft. Features like magneto ignition and hand-crank or "inertia" starting ("Démarreur à inertie") are specified. This was an in-house Bugatti marine engine.

Innovative Details: The brochure highlights clever engineering solutions, such as "membrures ajourées" (open-worked ribs to facilitate water drainage) and an "ancre à pattes articulées" (an articulated anchor that folds flat) to avoid encumbering passengers.

This is a historical document proving that Bugatti was not just about speed and luxury cars, but a true house of engineering and design.

This piece is a "crown jewel" for the most prestigious Bugatti collections, European industrial design archives, maritime museums, or leading German automotive museums (such as the Cité de l'Automobile - Schlumpf Collection or institutions of similar calibre).

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own a tangible piece of a nearly forgotten chapter in Bugatti's storied history.

Mint

Brochure - Bugatti - You-You - 1946

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Brochure - Bugatti - You-You - 1946

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