1927 Bugatti Type 38 Grand Sport Boattail

Ettore Bugatti began in 1910 with the Type 13, a 1,327cc overhead cam four-cylinder model. One of the notable early successes was the Bebe made by Peugeot to Bugatti's design. Prior to World War I, his four-cylinder engines ranged from 1,368cc to 5,027cc, first with eight valves and later with 16. It was 1924, however, when Bugatti produced the car for which he would become famous, the legendary Type 35. The Type 35 is credited with 1,851 racing victories in 1925, 1926, and 1927, a remarkable record event today.

The eight-cylinder Type 38 (and its supercharged Type 38A version) debuted in 1926 and was produced through 1927. In all, 385 examples were created, including just a mere 39 in the supercharged form. With just 1,991 cc, the tiny eight-cylinder produced about 100 horsepower. The Type 38A utilized a T35-style split crankcase, with a larger T43 radiator and the small T37A supercharger.

This particular car, chassis number 38470 with supercharged engine 333, was completed in August of 1927 and given a factory Grand Sport body. August 1927 was the final month of production of the Type 38 and 38A. This car remained at the factory for several months before it was ordered by the London Bugatti agent, Colonel Sorel. It was then sold to its first owner, L.G. Bachelier on October 23rd, 1928. It received British plate number PG 1593.

While in Bachelier's care, the car was raced this Type 38 at Brooklands in the JCC High Speed Trials in July of 1929. The following year, he sold it to Denis Evans who raced it in the BARC Open Meeting Mountain Handicap in 1931 and the JCC High Speed Trials at Brooklands in 1931 and 1932.

The car then went to Child who eventually sold it to B. Rees. By this point in history, the chassis had been shorted to convert it to a two-seater and the engine had been replaced. The engine was another genuine Bugatti unit, number 209. This engine was given twin SU carburetors and was not supercharged.

The car later came into the hands of Derby, then Gilbert and then John Anderson in London. It was then exported to the United States. Its first United States owner was Steingold, then Fountain and then Kirk White. In 1973 it was owned by Walter Stedeford and then by Richard Winer of Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The next owner was Dr. Terry Bennett of Hampton Falls, New Hampshire. Later, the majority of Dr. Bennett's care were sold at auction. At the auction, the car still having its shortened wheelbase form, was acquired by the JWR Collection of Pennsylvania.

A major restoration soon followed, bringing it back to its original factory specifications. The chassis was returned to its correct long wheelbase form. The car's second engine, number 209, was upgraded to supercharged form via an original Bugatti supercharger. The restoration was completed in early 1993. It was then shown at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance where it won a prize in class.

By Daniel Vaughan | Jun 2016