Description
Brooklands Road Tests, Compiled by R.M.Clarke, Softbound, 159 Pages, ISBN: 9781855208704
- Type 41 Royale - Type 43 - A - Type 44 - Type 46 - Type 49 - Type 50 - S - T - Type 51 - A - Type 53 - Type 54 - Type 55 -
This, our second Bugatti portfolio, traces the middle years of their production commencing with the Type 41 Royale. Included are road tests, new model introductions and updates, full specifications plus 'classic' features, performance data and 'historic salons'. Models reported
on are the Type 41 Royale, the Type 43-a, Type 44 and 46, Type 49, Type 50-s-t, Type 51-a, Type 53, Type 54 and the Type 55 roadster.
A total of 160 fully illustrated pages
Bugatti - Type 41 to Type 55
Once again our thanks go to our Wikipedia friends for so clearly listing and explaining Bugatti models Type 41 to Type 55.
The Bugatti Type 41, better known as the Royale, was a large luxury car with a 4.3m (169.3in) wheelbase and 6.4m (21 ft) overall length. It weighed approximately 3175kg (70001b) and used a 12.7L (12763cc/778in3) straight-8 engine. For comparison, the Royale is about as heavy as a large modern commercial pickup truck, such as a Ford Super Duty F-450, but it is about 10% longer. When compared to the modern Rolls-Royce Phantom, it is about 20% longer, and more than 25% heavier.
Ettore Bugatti planned to build twenty-five of these cars, and sell them to royalty. But even royalty was not buying such things during the Great Depression, and Bugatti was able to sell only three of the six made. Today a Bugatti Royale is both one of the largest and rarest cars in the world. Crafted by Ettore Bugatti, the Type 41 is said to have come about because he took exception to the comments of an English lady who compared his cars unfavourably with those of Rolls-Royce.
The Type 43 was another evolution of the basic 8 platform, it borrowed the supercharged 2.3L (2262cc/138in3) engine from the Type 35B and combined it with the basic chassis of the Type 38. The engine produced about 120hp (89kW), bringing the little car to 60mph (97km/h) in less than 12 seconds. The Type 43 was noted at the time as the world's first 100 mph (161km/h) production car - in fact, it could hit 110mph (177km/h) when most fast cars could only reach 70 mph (113km/h). Some 160 of these "Grand Sport" cars were made between 1927 and 1931, with a Type 43A roadster appearing that year and lasting through to 1932.
The Type 44 was the widest-production variant of this range, with 1,095 known. A large enclosed tourer, it used a new 3-valve SOHC 3L (2991cc/182in3) engine derived from the Type 43's unit. It was built from late 1927 until 1930.
The Type 45 was a 16-cylinder racing car and the similar Type 47 "Grand Sport" were to become a new generation of cars from Bugatti. The engine, a 3-valve SOHC design, was based on the 3-valve straight-8 from the Type 35. Two versions were made: A 3.0L (2986cc/182in3) version fitted to a Type 47 prototype shared the Type 36's 60 by 66mm dimensions, while the Type 45 prototype used a unique 84mm stroke for 3.8L (3801cc/231in3). Output would have been 200 to 250 hp (149 to 186kW) with a Roots-type supercharger in play. The entire vehicle was unique, including its chassis. The Type 45 used a 102.2 in (2596mm) wheelbase, while the Type 47 was stretched to 108.3in (2750mm). Both had a 49.2in (1250mm) track
The Type 46 used a 5.4L (5359cc/327in3) straight-8 engine with 3 valves per cylinder driven by a single overhead camshaft. Power was reported at 140hp (104kW). The engine was under-square like most Bugatti designs with an 81mm bore and 130mm stroke. The Type 46 was a large car, weighing 25001b (1134kg) and riding on a 138in (3505mm) wheelbase. 400 examples were produced from the end of 1929 through to 1936. The three speed gearbox was in unit with the live rear axle, resulting in high unsprung weight, and a relatively harsh ride. Despite this, the model was a favourite of Le Patron, and it remained in production longer than might have been expected. The Type 46S a supercharged version, was introduced in 1930. With just 160hp (119kW), from its Roots-type blower, it was not a great success. 18 supercharged cars were made in all.
The Type 49 was an enclosed touring car similar to the earlier Type 44. Produced from 1930 until 1934, about 470 were built. The Type 49 was the last of the early 8-cylinder Bugatti line which began with the Type 30, though its gearbox would later be reused on the Type 55. The Type 49 featured a straight-8 engine of 3.3L (3257cc/198in3) displacement. Bore and stroke were 7mm by 100mm and three valves per cylinder were used with a single overhead camshaft.
The Type 50 was a sporting coupe version of the Type 46. It rode on a shorter wheelbase, 122 in (3099mm), and used a smaller 5 .OL (4972cc/303in3) version of the engine. This engine had squarer dimensions, however, at 86 by 107mm, and twin camshafts actuated two valves per cylinder. Power output was impressive at 225hp (167kW). Many cars had landaulet roofs and Bugatti-style two-tone paint. The Type 50 T was a touring version and used the same 138in (3505irun) wheelbase as its predecessor, the Type 46, but shared the 5.0L engine of the Type 50. The engine was tuned for torque, though, with just 200hp (149kW) on tap. In total, 65 Type 50 and Type 501 Bugattis were built. The Type 50B was a 4.7 litre racing Bugatti with J. P. Wimille behind the wheel. It shared the 5.0L 2-valve engine but was blown to produce 470hp (350kW). It was used from 1937 through to 1939. A pair of these engines were installed in the Bugatti P100 airplane, with specially cast magnesium crankcases.
The Type 51 arrived in 1931. Its engine was a 160hp (119kW) twin overhead cam evolution of the supercharged 2.3L (2262cc/138in3) single overhead cam straight-8 found in the Type 35B. A victory in the 1931 French Grand Prix was a rare success for the line. About 40 examples of the Type 51 and 51A were produced. Visually very similar to the Type 35 - the height of the supercharger blow-off outlet in the bonnet, and one piece cast wheels being the identifying differences.
The Type 52 of 1929 was a half-scale Bugatti Type 35 electric racing car for children. Over 250 examples were produced at the Molsheim factory between 1927 and 1930, and the cars were frequently used both as playthings and for more serious racing among the children of the European elite. The first example of a Type 52 was built for Ettore's son, five year old Roland, and was first shown at an exhibition in Milan. It was powered by a single 12 volt electric motor with an integral 4-speed gearbox. Braking was done by way of expanding wooden shoes in rear drums.
The Type 55 was a road-going version of the Type 54 Grand Prix car. A roadster, it had a short 108.3in (2750mm) wheelbase and light 18001b (816kg) weight. Power came from the Type 51's 2.3L (2262cc/138in3) straight-8 engine. This 2-valve DOHC unit produced 130hp (96kW) and could rev to 5000 rpm. A Roots-type supercharger was used. The car's 4-speed manual transmission came from the Type 49 touring car. Some 38 examples were produced.
