1926 Bugatti Type 30

Bugatti vehicles were elegantly simple, lightweight, and mechanically sophisticated. Their first series of eight-cylinder cars were the 16 two-liter Type 29/30 vehicles that featured three valves per cylinder and overhead camshafts. This engine would change the course of the company and earn them unprecedented dominance in Grand Prix competition. The Type 29/30 are often considered the pre-production Type 30s and the same basic engine design would be used for the 1926 Type 38, along with the Type 40, Type 43, Type 44, and Type 49 that followed. That Type 49, introduced in 1930 and built through 1934, was the last of the early 8-cylinder Bugatti line and its 3,257cc engine had a 72mm bore and a 100mm stroke. These classic, square-cut Bugatti engines with their blocks, valves assembly and basic architecture were carried over to the Type 35, the company's most successful racing model. During its racing career, it won over 1,000 races and took the Grand Prix World Championship in 1926. The Type 35 earned Bugatti five consecutive victories at the Targa Florio, from 1925 through 1929.

The Bugatti Type 30 was built from 1922 through 1926 with various specifications and approximately 600 examples built. The engine displaced 1,991cc (2 liters) and used a 60mm bore and 88mm stroke. It had three valves per cylinder operated by a single gear-driven overhead camshaft, breathed through twin Solex side-draft carburetors, produced around 100 horsepower at 4,500 RPM, and was paired with a four-speed gearbox with right-hand gear change.

Many of the mechanical components including its chassis, axles, and gearbox, were shared with the Type 13 'Brescia.' The early examples were produced on frames similar to the Type 22 or 23 and had hydraulic brakes at the front. Later examples used traditional four-wheel Bugatti cable brakes. The suspension was via conventional leaf springs.

A few Bugatti Type 30s were built for motorsport competition, most notably for the 1922 Strasbourg Grand Prix, the Grand Prix at Monza the same year, and the 1923 Indianapolis 500.

by Dan Vaughan

Tourer
Chassis number: 4725
Engine number: 418

This Bugatti Type 30 Tourer was ordered by Bugatti agent Dubuisson of Saint Quentin for Jean Charavel. Mr. Dubuisson purchased the Type 30 as a rolling chassis sans body. The four-passenger open tourer body was created by an unknown independent coachbuilder. It has two doors; one on the left for the front passenger, and one on the right rear. It had the classic Bugatti radiator at the front, a pair of large headlights suspended between the fenders and the cowl, running boards, a black canvas top, wire wheels, and a slightly raked, vee'd split windscreen.

Jean Charavel's brother, Louis, was a Bugatti racing driver who competed under the pseudonym of 'Sabipa.'

This Bugatti remained in the Charavel family until 1960 when it was subsequently sold to J.P. Léger of Dreux, then passed to François Lecorché. The car's next owner was Henri Chambon of Clermont Ferrand, who purchased the car in 1972 and registered it as 7892 QG 63. While in the custodianship of Mr. Chambon, the engine was removed by Henri Novo's Bugatti garage and replaced with its current engine, 418, a correct Type 30 unit. During this period, the exterior received its current livery.

Bernard Viallon acquired the Bugatti in 1985 and in its present ownership since the early 1990s.

This Bugatti retains its original frame number 4, original rear axle number 588, a black cloth top, and well-preserved brown leather upholstery.

by Dan Vaughan