The Bugatti Type 35 was extremely successful in races all over Europe. Ettore Bugatti wanted to make the winning Grand Prix racer available for the 'masses'. The engine used in the Type 35 was high sprung and not really suited to use on the roads so Ettore had to look for alternatives. He chose the four cylinder engine used in the Type 40 and installed it in a chassis similar to the Type 35's; the Type 37 was born.
Launched in 1926, the Type 37 proved instantly successful as it provided a Grand Prix winning chassis for roadcar money. It was available in two different versions, the Naturally Aspirated Type 37 and the supercharged Type 37A. Production lasted until 1930.
With the Naturally Aspirated Type 37, Bugatti mainly targeted the rich automotive enthusiasts who wanted to experience Grand Prix handling on the road, the Type 37A was much more of a racer. It was used with great success in Voitturerette racing, which was getting increasingly popular at the end of the decade.
Two examples are pictured above. The first is seen in the Bonhams auction at the 2003 Nürburgring Old Timer Grand Prix. The highlight of its long racing career was a 12th place finish in the 1928 running of the Targa Florio. The second example is pictured at the 2003 Louis Vuitton Classic in Paris.
Article by Wouter Melissen, last updated before 12 / 01 / 2004
I'm happy to see that the Bugatti section here is still growing with new photos of some of the missing car types. This model is one of my favourite Bugatti models as it is both fast and relatively affordable today. I have a friend in this country (Denmark) who recently aquired a type 37A and he really enjoys his new car. I immediately saw that the red car here is fitted with the wheels from a type 35B, of the aluminium type, which incorporates larger brakedrums and provides better stability in corners compared to the standard whirewheels mounted on the white car! This mounting of aluminium wheels sometimes makes people mistake the type 37 for a type 35, which is sporting the bigger eight cylinder engine. Hope to find more Bugatti models here in the future! Best regards and Vive la marque Carsten Christiansen Automotive Artist http://www.t-web.dk
General specifications
Country of origin
France
Chassis number
37314 / ?
Numbers built
67
Produced from
1928 - 1930
Engine
Configuration
Straight 4
Location
Front, longitudinally mounted
Displacement
1.496 liter / 91.3 cu in
Bore / Stroke
69.0 mm (2.7 in) / 100.0 mm (3.9 in)
Valvetrain
3 valves / cylinder, SOHC
Fuel feed
Zenith or Solex Carburettor
Aspiration
Supercharger
Power
90 bhp / 67 KW
BHP/Liter
60 bhp / liter
Drivetrain
Chassis
steel body on ladder frame
Front suspension
solid axle, semi-elliptic leaf springs
Rear suspension
solid axle, quarter elliptic leaf springs
Brakes
drums all-round
Gearbox
4 speed Manual
Drive
Rear wheel drive
Dimensions
Weight
700 kilo / 1543.2 lbs
Wheelbase / Track (fr/r)
2400 mm (94.5 in) / 1200 mm (47.2 in) / 1200 mm (47.2 in)
Performance figures
Power to weight
0.13 bhp / kg
Top Speed
150 km/h (93 mph)
Resources
Suggested reading
Bugatti Magnum, by Hugh Conway with Maurice Sauzay
Bugatti - le Pur Sang des Automobiles, by Hugh Conway
Ultimatecarpage.com
> Cars by brand
> France
> Bugatti
Type 37A
The Bugatti Type 35 was extremely successful in races all over Europe. Ettore Bugatti wanted to make the winning Grand Prix racer available for the 'masses'. The engine used in the Type 35 was high sprung and not really suited to use on the roads so Ettore had to look for alternatives. He chose the four cylinder engine used in the Type 40 and installed it in a chassis similar to the Type 35's; the Type 37 was born.
