1934 Bugatti Type 59

History

The Bugatti Type 59 was a continuation and the final iteration of Ettore Bugatti's Grand Prix racing cars, and only a few were ever created. Between 1933 and 1936, only six or seven examples were built. They were powered by an eight-cylinder engine that originally had a bore and stroke that measured 72 x 88mm respectively in 1933 but was enlarged to 72 x 100 the following year. With the help of two Zenith carburetors and a roots-type supercharger, the cars produced an impressive 250 horsepower.

There was a four-speed manual gearbox with an external gear change lever; braking was on all four wheels via a cable.

The chassis was a modified Type 54 unit that had the engine positioned lower in the bay to improve upon the center of gravity. To keep the cars competitive and to reduce their overall weight, holes were drilled into the chassis. This also shortened the car's lifespan as it weakened the rigidity of the chassis. The cars rode on the signature piano wire wheels.

Four Bugatti T59 team cars, powered by a 2.8-liter engine at the time, were ready in time for the Spanish Grand Prix at San Sebastian on September 24th, 1933. The car driven by Rene Dreyfus finished in the sixth position.

The 3.3-liter version made its racing debut at the French Grand Prix in 1934. The cars had little success, were expensive to maintain, and lacked the necessary reliability required to be competitive. Still, they captured some important victories with drivers such as Dreyfus, Wimille, Benoist, and Lewis at the wheel. IN 1934 the T59 won the De Belgique and the d'Algiers Grand Prix. Two Grand Prix victories followed in 1935 and again in 1936. In 1937, only one GP victory was scored.

At the end of the 1934 season, Bugatti sold four cars to the British privateers Earl Howe, Charlie Martin, Lindsey Eccles, and Brian Lewis.

By Daniel Vaughan | Feb 2008