1927 Bugatti Type 37

Ettore Bugatti established an enviable reputation for building performance cars destined for road and track, beginning with the short-wheelbase Type 13 of 1910. Known as the 'Brescia,' it took its name following the factory's first four places at the 1921 Italian Grand Prix for Voiturettes. Longer wheelbase versions, the Type 22 and 23, used the single-overhead-camshaft 16-valve Brescia engine and were built alongside 8-valve 'Petit Pur Sang' versions.

The Brescia Modifié was introduced in February 1923 and was derived directly from the racing Brescias, featuring an engine with a ball-bearing crankshaft and aluminum crankcase, and paired with a four-speed gearbox. Bugatti produced approximately 200 Brescia Modifié chassis in 1923, with most being Types 22 and 23.

Preparing For A New Formula

Bugatti introduced its Type 35 in August 1924 at the Grand Prix of Lyon. It was state-of-the-art and aesthetically pleasing, powered by an overhead-cam eight-cylinder engine producing nearly 100 horsepower. The 2-liter powerplant was installed in a lightweight chassis and featured the company's hollow front axle and cast aluminum wheels with integrated brake drums. The bodywork harmonized with the mechanical elements, exhibiting both a lightweight design and a functional purpose.

The Type 35 would be an integral part of Bugatti's racing success throughout the 1920s, capturing over 1,000 wins in a variety of competitions. Among its most notable achievements was winning the Grand Prix World Championship in 1926, the Monaco Grand Prix three times, and the Targa Florio five times.

As the 1925 racing season concluded, the Commission Sportive Internationale (CSI) implemented a new formula for voiturette racing aimed at enhancing safety by reducing the speed of the existing 2-liter Grand Prix cars. Their solution was simple - impose a 1.5-litre capacity limit for 1926.

A number of several serious and fatal accidents during the 1925 season, including the death of Antonio Ascari, was the driving force for this decision. Along with the smaller displacement size, the minimum weight was also reduced from 650 to 600 kg. In the United States, the AAA Contest Board (AAA) adopted similar rules, with its 122 cubic-inch displacement reduced to 91.

Bugatti automobiles remained competitive thanks to their reliability, excellent balance, and road-holding qualities.

Bugatti Type 37

The Bugatti Type 37 was a 1.5-liter version of the company's dominant Grand Prix Type 35 car intended for voiturette racing in 1926. The Type 37 featured much of the Type 35's engineering, but its 1,496cc four-cylinder engine was, in essence, half the inline 8-cylinder unit of the Type 35. It had a compact cylinder block with small water passages, a single overhead camshaft, and three-valve cylinder heads. While the Type 35 powerplant had roller bearings, the Type 37 utilized plain bearings and a simpler one-piece crankshaft. It could be operated up to 5,000 RPM and had an engine output of 60 horsepower at 4,500 RPM. With a Roots-type supercharger installed, output rose by 20 horsepower.

The Type 37 was priced considerably less than the Type 35, and it was easier to maintain, making it popular with privateers and amateur racers. Like the Type 35, the Type 37 had a low center of gravity, effective braking, and responsive directional control. Its lightweight aluminum body with simple cycle-type fenders was draped over a steel ladder frame, and the suspension consisted of semi-elliptic leaf springs and a live rear axle. The brakes were the company's proven cable-type system.

Bugatti produced approximately 223 examples of the Type 37 and 67 of the supercharged Type 37A.

The 3-valve, 1.5-liter engine powering the Type 37 was also used in the Type 40, of which 830 were built.

The Type 37A won the 1928 Italian Grand Prix, the 1929, 1930, and 1932 Australian Grand Prix, and the 1931 Grand Prix des Frontières.

by Dan Vaughan

Boattail
Chassis number: BC50

Ettore Bugatti's early Type 13 cars proved they were a mechanical masterpiece and years ahead of the competition. The engine featured overhead cams and was mated to a four-speed gearbox. The cars that followed continued to have similar characteristics, with superior handling and steering, and were highly coveted by serious racers of the day.

Much of the competition relied on a powerful engine to win races. Bugatti took another approach; he used a sophisticated, well-designed, and refined vehicle. In 1926, Ettore Bugatti introduced the Type 37 as a replacement for the famous Brescia.

The two-seater Type 37 could achieve speeds in the neighborhood of 90 mph, with braking operated by a cable brake. Its body design was simplistic yet artistically sensible. There were a wide cockpit and a tapered boattail, a horseshoe grille, Brooklands windscreen, leather hood straps, and a four-spook wooden steering wheel.

This Type 37 was built by a Bugatti expert using sanctioned parts obtained through the Bugatti Club. It was given a Bugatti Club VIN number and is eligible for FIA paperwork.

The car has an original 1,496cc four-cylinder, inline engine, and four-speed transmission. There are French Marchal headlamps and electronic ignition. It is painted in the classic French Racing Blue paintwork.

In 2009, this Recreation Type 37 was offered for sale at the Sports & Classics of Monterey auction in Monterey, California, presented by RM Auctions. The car was estimated to sell for $100,000-$150,000 and offered without reserve. The lot was sold for the sum of $126,500, including the buyer's premium.

by Dan Vaughan

Boattail
Chassis number: 37212
Engine number: 117

This Bugatti Type 37 was delivered new in October 1927 by the original selling dealer in Paris, France. The rolling chassis and engine (number 117) were acquired by Bugatti dealer Jean De Dobbeleer of Belgium in 1958. De Dobbeleer acquired a Grand Prix body from Seyfried at the factory at Molsheim and placed it on the chassis. Antonio A.N. Carvalho of Portugal purchased the Type 37 from De Dobbeleer in 1959, a restoration was completed the following year, and it remained in his family's care for nearly six decades.

During the restoration, the Type 37 was fitted with a fendered aluminum body finished in blue, and a Type 13 Brescia-type gearbox. After the work was completed, the car was placed on display at the Museo do Caramulo in Portugal.

In 2024, a correct Pursang Grand Prix 4-speed manual gearbox was installed along with a new torque arm and other shifting components. Many new components were sourced from Gentry Restorations in the U.K., including new fuel lines and wiring, a new cardin shaft, and a new rear driveshaft with u-joints.

The engine powering this Type 37 is a 1,496cc inline four-cylinder unit that has been recently rebuilt. It has a Zenith carburetor and a proper one-piece crankshaft. There is a side-mounted spare tire, wire wheels, cycle fenders, and Marchal headlamps.

by Dan Vaughan

The Type 37 was first introduced in 1926 and available in two forms - normal and supercharged. The Supercharged versions were dubbed the 37A. Production lasted until 1930. During its production lifespan, around 290 examples were produced. The vehicle was powered by a 2-liter four-cylinder engine with a Zenith or Solex carburetor. With the use of the supercharger, the engine produced 90 horsepower. The top speed was achieved at nearly 100 mph. Power was sent to the rear wheels through the use of a four-speed manual gearbox.

The Bugatti Type 35 featured a powerful engine and was thus very successful on the racing circuit. Ettore Bugatti wanted to mass-produce the Type 35 but feared the engine would be too powerful for road use. So he used the engine from the Type 40 and installed it in the chassis of the Type 35, resulting in the Type 37. The supercharged versions were dubbed the Type 37A.

Like the Type 35, the Bugatti Type 37 delivered impressive overall performance, offering a higher level of versatility for racing, rallies, and road events. While the Type 35 was powered by an eight-cylinder unit, the Type 37 used a four-cylinder unit with plain (rather than roller) bearings and a one-piece crankshaft that attributed to its durability and longevity. The performance was enhanced by its simplicity and lightweight design, featuring a compact cylinder block, three-valve cylinder heads, and a single overhead camshaft.

The Type 37 models raced in a plethora of events of the era, including the Mille Miglia, Targa Florio, and Le Mans.

by Dan Vaughan