<< Prev Page 2 of 3 Next >> A separate four-speed gearbox was fitted between the engine and rear-axle. The propellor-shaft ran down the centre of the car with the driver's seat off-set to the right; Ettore Bugatti stuck by the idea that Grand Prix cars should also be able to seat two. From the horse-shoe grille back to the pointed tail, the all-aluminium bodywork was again reminiscent of the earlier Grand Prix Bugattis. The completed car was however noticeably lower thanks to its underslung rear suspension and dry-sump engine. Beautiful finishings touches were the brand new wheels with piano-wire spokes. They supported radial loads only; an aluminium back-plate dealt with the torque from the drive and the braking.
Lengthy delays meant that the Type 59 did not debut until late in the 1933 season at the Spanish Grand Prix in San Sebastian. The two cars raced finished a solid fourth and sixth. A three car team was readied for the first season run under the new regulations that mandated a maximum weight of 750 kg. One of the Bugatti drivers was none other than Tazio Nuvolari, who was backed by French drivers René Dreyfus and Jean-Pierre Wimille. In its original 2.8 liter guise, the new Bugatti was no match for the then two year old Alfa Romeo P3s. This problem was soon cured by stroking the engine from 88 to 100 mm. This lifted the power to 250 bhp.
The upgraded Type 59s not only faced the seasoned Alfa Romeo but also the newly arrived 'Silver Arrows' built by Mercedes-Benz and Auto Union. Bugatti had to use their own money to go racing while the Italian and German government had made racing a matter of national importance and supported their own teams. The Type 59 only managed to score a lucky victory in the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa, in the hands of Dreyfus, when all top runners crashed out. Antonio Brivio made it a one-two win. Late in the year Wimille finished first in the minor Algiers Grand Prix. Especially the cable operated brakes hampered the new machine's performance. << Prev Page 2 of 3 Next >>
Ultimatecarpage.com
> Cars by brand
> France
> Bugatti
Racing cars
> Pre 1950 GP
A separate four-speed gearbox was fitted between the engine and rear-axle. The propellor-shaft ran down the centre of the car with the driver's seat off-set to the right; Ettore Bugatti stuck by the idea that Grand Prix cars should also be able to seat two. From the horse-shoe grille back to the pointed tail, the all-aluminium bodywork was again reminiscent of the earlier Grand Prix Bugattis. The completed car was however noticeably lower thanks to its underslung rear suspension and dry-sump engine. Beautiful finishings touches were the brand new wheels with piano-wire spokes. They supported radial loads only; an aluminium back-plate dealt with the torque from the drive and the braking.