1923 Bugatti Type 23

The first Bugatti automobile built at Molsheim was the short-wheelbase Type 13 of 1910.

In 1920, Bugatti succeeded with their 16-valve engines with Ernest Friderich winning the French Voiturette Grand Prix at LeMans in a Bugatti Type 13. The following year, a trio of Bugatti's swept the first three coveted spots at Brescia. In honor of this victory, all 16-valve engine cars were called Brescia. Longer wheelbase Type 22 and Type 23 followed, both of which came equipped with the single-overhead-camshaft 16-valve Brescia engine, which was built alongside the 8-valve 'Petit Pur Sang' versions.

The racing Bresscia's that had dominated the voiturette category at the 1921 Italian Grand Prix derived the refined and road-worthy Brescia Modifié sportscar, introduced in February of 1923. The engine incorporated a ball-bearing crankshaft and aluminum crankcase, and was coupled to a four-speed gearbox developed from the Brescia racers. A top speed of 70 mph was guaranteed.

Approximately 200 Brescia chassis were built in 1923, with nearly all of them Type 22 and 23. Approximately 19 of them are known to survive. Between 1914 and 1926, around 2,000 examples of the Brescia were built with engine capacities of 1,368, 1,453 and 1,496cc.

Of the 19 surviving examples, half have been shortened to the Type 13 configuration; over the years, many have lost their original engine or body.

by Dan Vaughan

Brescia by Lavocat and Marsaud
Chassis number: 1709

The Type 23 was Bugatti's first commercial success. It was powered by a 1.496-liter inline 4-cylinder engine with a single overhead cam, 4 valves per cylinder, and a single carburetor. The top speed was achieved at 80 mph. The car had rear brakes, favoring acceleration over braking power. In 1924 this was changed and the Type 23 received front brakes as standard equipment.

The design and mechanical components of the Type 23 were similar to the Type 13 but with a longer wheelbase.

In 1920, Bugatti succeeded with their 16-valve engines, with Friderich winning the French Voiturette Grand Prix at LeMans. The following year, a trio of Bugatti's swept the first three coveted spots at Brescia. In honor of this victory, all 16-valve engine cars were called Brescia.

This custom coachwork is by Lavocat & Marsaud, who specialized in lightweight open bodies.

by Dan Vaughan

Brescia
Chassis number: BC002
Engine number: 892

This 1923 Bugatti Type 23 Brescia Three Seater Torpedo Sports was acquired by Dr. Bob King as an original long wheelbase chassis, which had been saved by Australian Gavin Campbell in 1960. Mr. Campbell, with help from David Roberts, had amassed a series of components over the years, many of which were sourced from a crashed Brescia number 2569. These items were married to the Bugatti prior to its acquisition by Dr. King. Typical of the time period, the Bugatti frame is not numbered so it is impossible to determine which car it had originally been paired. It has since been designated as BC002 - the second car to receive this recognition and acceptance from the Bugatti Owner's Club.

This Bugatti is powered by engine number 892, which had previously been installed in chassis 2526. It had been renumbered to 2566 at some point for unknown reasons. Dr. King had Harry Donders of Melbourne created the vehicle's current boattail coachwork. The vehicle was assembled and completed in 1978 in time for the Australian Bugatti Rally in Canberra.

In 1995, the car entered the care of its current owner. Since then it has been used at various events including the 2003 International Bugatti Meeting in Lenox, Massachusetts. Later, it was mechanically rebuilt by John Schramm of Mechanical Restorations in Rockland, Maine. More recently, it was shown at the gathering of 'La Marque' at Lime Rock and the International Bugatti Tour in Saratoga in 2018.

This Bugatti's engine displaces 1496cc and offers 30 horsepower. There is a four-speed manual transmission and two-wheel drum and transmission brakes.

by Dan Vaughan