1937 Bugatti Type 57SC

The Bugatti Type 57 was introduced in 1934 and was the first new model built under Jean Bugatti's direction. Incorporating many new features, the power was from a dual overhead camshaft eight-cylinder engine that had dimensions of 72x100mm (3257cc displacement), with a five-main bearing crankshaft. The camshafts were driven by a train of helical-tooth gears at the engine's rear with a further crankshaft bearing behind them.

The Bugatti Type 57 was given a transmission fixed to the engine crankcase and a single plate clutch - another first for Bugatti. The four-speed gearbox had constant mesh on the top three gears. In the front was a hollow tube live axle suspended by a semi-elliptical front and reversed quarter-elliptical rear leaf springs with cable-operated mechanical drum brakes.

The supercharged Type 57C was introduced in 1936. Driven by the camshaft drive at the rear of the engine, the Roots-type supercharger ran at 1.17 times engine speed, providing a 5-6 psi boost. Horsepower rose to 160 BHP, and top speed approached 120 mph.

The Type 57S, with the S representing surbaisse (or lowered), was virtually a Grand Prix car in touring car guise. Although there were several differences between the Type 57 and the 57S, the fundamental difference was the Type 57S model's low-slung frame design with its shorter wheelbase. The rear axle passed through the frame, while de Ram shock absorbers provided damping.

The Type 57S also had a modified crankcase with dry-sump lubrication derived from the Type 59 Grand Prix car, including separate scavenge and pressure oil pumps supplied from a 20-liter tank. The engine received an increase in performance thanks, in part, to high-compression pistons. The clutch was reinforced to cope with the additional output produced by the engine. Ignition was by a Scintilla Vertex magneto driven from the left-hand camshaft.

Production was limited to just 48 examples of the Type 57S chassis built before the outbreak of war. Two of these were Type 57SC models fitted with a supercharger by the factory. Along with the Alfa Romeo 8C 2900, the Type 57SC was the fastest road car in the world.

by Daniel Vaughan | Mar 2019