Bugatti Type 23 1925, França

Bugatti Type 23 1925, França
Fotografia

After Bugatti’s Type 13 captured the top four places at the 1921 Brescia Grand Prix, the Molsheim factory received unprecedented sales orders. The four-valve models were subsequently named after Brescia, including a more comfortably appointed version dubbed the Type 23 Brescia Tourer. The Type 23 was the world’s first multi-valve model to enjoy full series production, and it remains a highly collectable component of marque history.

Internally recorded as Bugatti Works order no. 33, this impressive Type 23 was equipped with a twin magneto and clothed in blue fabric coachwork by Lavocat & Marsaud. Chassis no. 2400 was distributed to Bugatti’s Paris showroom in May 1925 and subsequently delivered to London, where it was registered in December 1926 as ‘YR 8859’. TL Gordon, the manager for Lord Harewood’s Irish estate, owned the car through 1933, when it passed to Wilford Fitzsimmons of Dublin, the competition secretary of the Royal Irish Automobile Club.

Fitzsimmons raced the Brescia regularly (including the 1934 Boxing Day Trial and the 1936 Kilternan hill climb), as did subsequent owner Dr Brian Boydell, a fellow Dubliner who owned the car from 1937 to 1949. Sold then to Robert Newell, the Bugatti experienced a period of relative ease before resuming a racing life under Freddie Norman in 1954. Norman fitted a Wilson preselector gearbox and a homemade body, selling the car to Northern Ireland’s Brian Nelson in 1956.

Mounted with a second homemade body by Lyndon Kearney, who took possession in 1962, the Bugatti was next acquired in 1974 by famed marque historian and owners’ club VP Hugh Conway, who completely restored it over three years of possession, fitting the current original-style coachwork. The restoration was featured in three issues of Bugantics, becoming the basis for Conway’s respected Brescia Overhaul Manual.

In 1977 the Type 23 passed to Alann Soderstrom of Sweden, where it remained for nearly 20 years. On the breakup of the Soderstrom Collection in 1996, Bill Clarke of Northern Ireland acquired the car, forty years after his first attempt. During his ownership a complete professional engine rebuild was carried out. The car has benefitted from a new Brineton crankshaft, new Carillo rods, pistons, bearings and tappet blocks. The brakes have been relined and the brake cams and housings reconditioned. The car has been fitted with indicators, brake lights, and hazard warning lights for modern traffic conditions. This has been carried out in a way so as not to detract from the period appearance. Bill also assembled the extremely comprehensive history file, documented with racing programs, period photos, and a factory log record.

The file has been further improved by the current owner, who acquired the car in 2016 and had it completely but sympathetically, cosmetically, and mechanically overhauled by Ivan Dutton Limited. Because of staff illness, the work was actually done by Ivan Dutton himself, although he was theoretically retired. Subsequently it has very successfully taken part in the 2019 International Bugatti Rally in Co. Kerry, Ireland.

The car has been impeccably maintained and has very lively performance. It is a passport for entry into the renowned annual Brescia Solo meeting. This is a rare opportunity to acquire a genuine Brescia with its original engine and a continuous history.