1928 Bugatti Type 44

The Type 44 of the late 1920s was a grand tourer capable of being used as a long-distance touring car or in a variety of sporting events. Its 3-valve SOHC 3-liter engine was derived from the Type 43's unit, which was virtually identical to the one used in the Type 35B Grand Prix machine, making it truly a supercar in its day. It was one of the most successful of the early Bugatti 8-cylinder models, with over one thousand examples produced.

The Genesis
Engineer Ettore Bugatti acquired his skills while working with De Dietrich, Mathis, and Deutz. In 1910, he established his own manufacturing facility in Molsheim, located in Alsace, which was at that time a part of Germany. While with Deutz he designed the Type 10, its number reflecting his nine previous designs, and this would serve as the prototype for the first Molsheim-built Bugatti: the Type 13. Introduced in 1910 at the Paris Salon, it was the first Bugatti production car and would go on to capture the top four places at the 1921 Brescia Grand Prix. The four-valve models were subsequently named after Brescia, including a more comfortably appointed version dubbed the Type 23 Brescia Tourer.

Bugatti 8-Cylinder Line
The Type 30 was introduced in 1922 and was the first small 'straight-eight' to go into production and the first to use Bugatti's classic single-overhead-cam engine. It had a 'long-stroke' design of 60mm bore and 88mm stroke with an overall displacement size of 1,991cc. The crankshaft was carried in three roller bearings with plain big ends, and the three valves per cylinder were operated by single gear-driven overhead camshaft. This engine was installed in what was essentially a Brescia-type chassis, and approximately 600 examples of the Type 30s were produced between 1922 and early 1926.

The Type 38 that followed in March of 1926 had a new frame with a lengthened wheelbase, and its 2-liter engine drove through a newly designed central-mounted gearbox. A total of 387 examples were built, including 54 with superchargers (Type 38A). The latter had a slightly extended hood and increased brake diameter.

The eight-cylinder Type 40 was also introduced in 1926 but equipped with the 3-valve, 1.5-liter engine found in some Type 37s. The Type 43 married the supercharged 2.3-liter engine from the Type 35B with the chassis of the Type 38. Producing around 120 horsepower, the Type 43 is recognized as the world's first 100 mph production car, with a top speed of 110 mph.

The Bugatti Type 44
The Bugatti Type 44 was introduced at the Paris Salon in October of 1927 and produced until 1931, with 1,095 examples constructed. It replaced the 2-liter Type 38 and shared much of the Type 38's chassis, although strengthened to cope with the larger engine. The twin-block, three valves-per-cylinder straight-eight engine with single-overhead-camshafts, a 69mm bore, and a 100mm stroke. It received an entirely new crankshaft, with nine plain bearings making it one of the most reliable ever built by Bugatti. The 2,991cc unit developed approximately 80 horsepower, giving it a top speed of over 75 mph. The power was sent to the rear wheels via a four-speed gate-change gearbox and large, drum brakes were located at all four corners. The suspension was a conventional leaf spring setup.

Ettore Bugatti preferred the single-cam design, and it was only through considerable prompting by his eldest son, Jean, that he adopted the double-overhead-camshaft method of valve action of the Type 50 of 1930.

Gangloff built much of the coachwork. Other coachbuilders include Harrington, Vanvooren, and Graber. Bodies were also built according to Jean Bugatti's designs.

It is believed that only 10 percent of the 1,095 Type 44 Bugatti exist.

The Type 44 was replaced by the Type 49, and approximately 470 examples were produced from 1930 through 1934. It had a 3.3 liter straight-8 engine, double ignition, a cooling fan, and optional aluminum wheels. The Type 49 was the last of the early 8-cylinder single-cam Bugatti line.

by Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2020