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Bugatti Type 51

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Bugatti Type 51[1][2][3]
Overview
ManufacturerAutomobiles Ettore Bugatti
Production1931–1935
DesignerEttore Bugatti, Jean Bugatti
Body and chassis
ClassGrand Prix, Formula Libre
Body styleUnderslung type
LayoutFR
ChassisSteel ladder frame, aluminum body
Powertrain
Engine1.5–2.3 L (92–140 cu in) 16-valve DOHC straight-8 engine,[4] 130–185 hp (97–138 kW)[5]
Transmission4-speed manual + reverse
Dimensions
Wheelbase2,400 mm (94 in)
Length3,700 mm (150 in)
Width1,500 mm (59 in)
Curb weight750–850 kg (1,650–1,870 lb)
Chronology
PredecessorBugatti Type 35
SuccessorBugatti Type 59

The Bugatti Type 51 series succeeded the famous Type 35 as Bugatti's premier racing car for the 1930s. The main distinction is that it uses a twin cam engine. Unlike the dominant Type 35s of the prior decade, the Type 51 (and later Type 53, Type 54, and Type 59) were unable to compete with the government-supported German and Italian offerings.[6][7]

Type 51

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The first Type 51 went into production in 1931 with Ettore Bugatti's son Jean Bugatti taking more responsibility. Its engine was a 160 hp (119 kW) twin overhead cam evolution of the supercharged 2.3 L (2262 cc/138 in3, 60 x 100 mm) single overhead cam straight-8 found in the Type 35B. Inspiration for this new design thinking came from two Miller racing cars that Jean Bugatti was testing for power output.[8] The Bugatti Type 51 is sometimes referred to as "the Millerhead".

A victory in the 1931 French Grand Prix was a good start for the type, and it notably won the 1933 Monaco Grand Prix with Achille Varzi beating Tazio Nuvolari in a Homeric struggle against the new challenge of the Alfa Romeo 8C.

About 40 examples of the Type 51 and 51A were produced. The Type 51 is visually very similar to the Type 35. The obvious external differences of a Type 51 are: the supercharger blow-off outlet is lower the bonnet in the louvered section; one piece cast wheels instead of bolted on rims; twin fuel caps behind the driver and finally the magneto being off-set to the left on the dash. However many Type 35 cars have been fitted with later wheels, so that is not a reliable signal.[9][10]

One Type 51 would be modified into a roadgoing sports car, known as the Bugatti Type 51 Dubos Coupe.[11][12]

Type 54

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Bugatti Type 54[13][14][15][16]
Overview
ManufacturerAutomobiles Ettore Bugatti
Production1931
DesignerEttore Bugatti
Body and chassis
ClassGrand Prix
Body styleUnderslug type
LayoutFR
ChassisSteel ladder frame, aluminum body
Powertrain
Engine4.9 L (300 cu in) 16-valve DOHC straight-8, mid-engined, rear-wheel-drive
Transmission3-speed manual + reverse
Dimensions
Wheelbase2,750 mm (108 in)
Curb weight950 kg (2,090 lb)

Grand Prix car of 1931, fitted with a twin overhead-cam 4.9-liter (4,972cc, 86 x 107 mm) engine delivering 300 hp (223 kW). Four or five were built. Chassis number 54201 was the first type 54 built and was the works car for Achille Varzi, factory number plate 4311-NV1

Type 59

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Bugatti Type 59[17][18][19][20]
Overview
ManufacturerAutomobiles Ettore Bugatti
Production1933-1936
DesignerEttore Bugatti
Body and chassis
ClassGrand Prix
Body styleUnderslug type
LayoutFR
ChassisSteel ladder frame, aluminum body
Powertrain
Engine3.3 L (200 cu in) 16-valve supercharged DOHC straight-8, mid-engined, rear-wheel-drive
Transmission4-speed manual + reverse
Dimensions
Wheelbase2,750 mm (108 in)
Length3,744 mm (147.4 in)
Height823 mm (32.4 in)
Curb weight748 kg (1,649 lb)
Bugatti Type 59 at the 2019 Goodwood Festival of Speed

The final Bugatti race car of the 1930s was the Type 59 of 1934. It used an enlarged 3.3 L (3257 cc/198 in3, 72 x 100 mm) version of the straight-eight Type 57's engine sitting in a modified Type 54 chassis. The engine was lowered for a better center of gravity, and the frame was lightened with a number of holes drilled in the chassis. The signature piano wire wheels used splines between the brake drum and rim, and relied on the radial spokes to handle cornering loads. 250 hp (186 kW) was on tap, and eight were made.

On 5 September 2020 a Bugatti T59, built in 1934, was auctioned for 8,5 million pound by Gooding & Company. The car had been used by the Bugatti racing team in 1934–1935 and being driven by René Dreyfus it won the Belgian Grand Prix in 1934. It was later rebuilt as a sportscar by Bugatti and sold to King Leopold III of Belgium[21]

Technical data

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Type 51 Type 54 Type 59
Engine:  Front mounted 8-cylinder in-line engine
displacement 2262 cm³ 4972 cm³ 3257 cm³
Bore x stroke:  60 x 100 mm 86 x 107 mm 72 x 100 mm
Max power at rpm:  185 hp at 5 500 rpm 300 hp at 4 000 rpm 250 hp at 5 500 rpm
Valve control:  2 overhead camshafts, 2 valves per cylinder, DOHC
Compression 7.5:1 8.5:1
Carburetor Zenith 2 Zenith
Upload Roots compressor
Gearbox 4-speed manual
suspension front:  rigid axle, semi-elliptic springs solid axle, semi-elliptic leaf springs, friction dampers
suspension rear:  live axle, reversed quarter elliptic springs live axle, quarter elliptic leaf springs, friction dampers live axle, radius arms, reversed quarter-elliptic leaf springs
Brakes drums, all-round
Chassis & body Aluminium body on steel ladder frame
Wheelbase 240 cm 275 cm
Dry weight 750 kg 950 kg 748 kg
Top speed:  230 km/h 200 km/h

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "1931 - 1935 Bugatti Type 51 Grand Prix Specifications". Ultimatecarpage.com.
  2. ^ "1931 Bugatti Type 51 Grand Prix". www.goodingco.com.
  3. ^ "Bugatti Type 51 51A". October 31, 2014.
  4. ^ Euvrard, Frédéric (July 29, 2010). "Bugatti Type 51 Grand Prix à vendre".
  5. ^ "Bugatti type 51 - Guide Automobiles Anciennes". www.guide-automobiles-anciennes.com.
  6. ^ Insurance, Heacock Classic (February 19, 2019). "The Bugatti Type 51 Dubos Coupé - The Racecar and the Road Car".
  7. ^ "1931 Bugatti type 51 sells for 4 million setting record for the model". hemmings.com. 23 August 2016. Retrieved 14 April 2023.
  8. ^ Conway, Hugh (1983). Grand Prix Bugatti (Revised ed.). Haynes. p. 125. ISBN 0-85429-293-4.
  9. ^ "BUGATTI Type 51 - Saga Bugatti - Motorlegend.com". www.motorlegend.com.
  10. ^ "1931/2011 Pur Sang Bugatti Type 51 * (ohne Limit/no reserve) - Klassische Fahrzeuge 23.06.2018 - Erzielter Preis: EUR 143.000 - Dorotheum". fahrzeuge.dorotheum.com.
  11. ^ "Automobile History". www.nethercuttcollection.org. Archived from the original on 2023-06-24. Retrieved 2022-04-15.
  12. ^ D, Nick (April 6, 2016). "Bugatti Type 51".
  13. ^ D, Nick (April 6, 2016). "Bugatti Type 54 GP".
  14. ^ "1931 Bugatti Type 54 Grand Prix Specifications". Ultimatecarpage.com.
  15. ^ "1931 Bugatti Type 54 Grand Prix". conceptcarz.com.
  16. ^ "Bugatti Type 54". October 31, 2014.
  17. ^ "1933 - 1936 Bugatti Type 59 Grand Prix Specifications". Ultimatecarpage.com.
  18. ^ "K500 Classic Cars Index - A Guide to Classic Cars". k500.com.
  19. ^ D, Nick (April 6, 2016). "Bugatti Type 59/50B".
  20. ^ "1933 Bugatti Type 59 technical and mechanical specifications". conceptcarz.com.
  21. ^ "Bugatti van koning Leopold III geveild voor recordbedrag". De Standaard.
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