Bugatti Type 50

Total Production: 65 1930 - 1934
In 1931 Ettore Bugatti debuted the Type 50. It was a derivative of the Type 46, sharing many mechanical components and drawing from its design. Different from the Type 46 was the eight-cylinder dual-over head camshaft which replaced the single-overhead camshaft unit. This meant that the Type 50 was the first Bugatti to be powered by a DOHC engine and also its most powerful Bugatti-designed power plant. Though smaller in size due to a decreased bore and stroke when compared with the Type 46, it was capable of producing 225 horsepower, though this was with the help of a roots-type supercharger and dual Zenith carburetors. Depending on the body style, the vehicle could reach a top speed of around 105 miles per hour with a zero-to-sixty time of about eight seconds, impressive for a 1930-era vehicle.

The Type 50 was designed to be a high-performance, daily-driver automobile. The traditional steel-ladder frame chassis was available in two sizes, a short and long version. The Type 50T - T representing Tourisme or Touring - sat atop the longer wheelbase and was given a 200-horsepower engine. With its three-speed manual gearbox and live axles, it was suitable for long trips. As was typical, Bugatti supplied a rolling chassis to various coachbuilders to outfit the vehicles according to the customer's wishes. This meant that the specifications for the vehicles varied greatly. Most of the vehicles were given enclosed coupe bodies.

Jean Bugatti convinced his father to enter three examples of the Type 50 in the 1931 24 Hours of LeMans. After one of the vehicles suffered a tire failure, the rest of the Type 50 racers were withdrawn from the race. The Type 50 continued to visit the LeMans for the next three years, with their greatest success occurring in 1935 when it led the race for a period of time.

Production of the Type 50 lasted from 1931 through 1933, with 65 examples being created. With the expensive chassis and elaborate coachwork, the Type 50 was reserved for the wealthy. With the low production number and various body styles and coachwork, the Type 50 is highly regarded as a collectible and rare automobile in modern times.
By Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2008