1924 Bugatti Type 13

As early as 1911, the Type 13 finished second at the France Grand Prix. The combination of a light and agile body with a strong and reliable engine was new at the time. After World War I, Bugatti was only able to resume production in 1919. First with the well-known Type 13, but clearly much more refined, since Bugatti used the production-free period to continue improving the technology. The previous 1.3-liter four-cylinder had been given a four-valve cylinder head for faster and better gas throughput. This makes the Type 13 one of the first cars with four-valve technology. One hundred years ago, the white metal for crankshaft bearings and pistons was just as new as a gasoline pump and a pump that sprayed oil on selected components. From 1920, two spark plugs per combustion chamber ignite the mixture more quickly in the four-cylinder racing version, the energy they receive from two magnets.

The Type 13 took first place in its first major assignment, the race in the Voiturettes class (light racing car) at the French Grand Prix in Le Mans - with a 20-minute lead over the runner-up. The small, high-performance car quickly became popular - with both racing drivers and spectators. A year later, the volume of the Type 13 engine was just under 1.5 liters and an output of up to 50 hp. In addition to the power, the low weight of less than 400 kilograms also plays a role in the races: the Type 13 drives reliably, allows ease and speed of manoeuvre around the bends, especially in races on public roads with the often poor pavement. Flat tires, broken axles or burst engines are a rarity in the racing car.

The Type 13 won races on Lake Garda, mountain races on Mont Angel near Monte Carlo, South Harting, Limonest near Lyon and La Turbie near Nice. Bugatti successfully modified the general concept of the Type 13 with different body lengths of the vehicle, calling the resulting variations Type 15, Type 17, Type 22 and Type 23. The use in Brescia is still famous to this day: in 1921, the Type 13 took the first four places at the Grand Prix of the Voiturettes and cemented its unbeatable status. Its surname is therefore to this day: Brescia. All subsequent four-valve vehicles now bear this name.

Source - Bugatti