Bugatti Type 40 Grand Sport Tourer 1929, França
Fotografia
By the early 1930s, Ettore Bugatti - 'Le Patron' - had established an unrivalled reputation for building cars with outstanding performance on road or track, the world's greatest racing drivers enjoying countless successes aboard the Molsheim factory's products and often choosing them for their everyday transport. Bugatti's origins, though, were a far cry from the glamorous world of Grands Prix.
Italian-born engineer Ettore Bugatti had learned his trade with De Dietrich, Mathis and Deutz before setting up his own factory in 1910 at Molsheim in Alsace, which was then part of Germany. While with Deutz he designed the Type 10, its number reflecting his nine previous designs, and this would serve as the prototype for the first Molsheim-built Bugatti: the Type 13. Introduced in 1910 and the first Bugatti production car, the Type 13 was powered by a four-cylinder, single-overhead-camshaft, 8-valve engine of 1,327cc, which drove via a four-speed gearbox and was mounted in a short-wheelbase chassis carrying a simple open two-seater body. Making its debut at the 1910 Paris Salon, the Type 13 was described by The Autocar as a "most delightful looking runabout".
Developed from the first Bugatti to be built at Molsheim - the aforementioned Type 13 of 1910 - the Type 13 Brescia took that name following the factory's first four places at the 1921 Italian Grand Prix for Voiturettes, held at the eponymous racetrack in Lombardy. Longer wheelbase Type 22 and Type 23 models were made, both of which used the single-overhead-camshaft 16-valve Brescia engine and were built alongside 8-valve Petit Pur Sang versions.
Introduced in 1926, the Type 40 Bugatti succeeded the Brescia types, being built on a longer wheelbase and equipped with a more powerful engine. Virtually identical to that used in the Type 37 Grand Prix car, the latter was a four-cylinder unit displacing 1,496cc and incorporating an all-plain-bearing bottom end with five mains. A single overhead camshaft operated three valves per cylinder (two inlets, one exhaust) and the Type 40's maximum power output of 45bhp or thereabouts was transmitted to the rear wheels via a separate four-speed gearbox. A total of 790 Type 40s had been made when production ceased in May 1931, with a further 40 Type 40As completed with the 1,627cc engine by the end of that year. It is estimated that fewer then 200 survive today.
Bugatti Type 40 number '40764' was purchased by the late Tony Clark in August 1957 having been seen advertised in The Autocar. The car belonged to the son of the owner of an engineering company, C J Driver, in nearby Great Barr, Birmingham. In Tony's own words: "I drove it for a few miles and realised it needed a lot doing to it. It spent the next 12 months under a sheet on the front drive until I had another garage built. I then decided to take it apart. The body was taken off and stored at work for 10 years. I did a lot of restoration work myself although the engine was rebuilt by experts. The car was mostly original apart from the electrics and I didn't expect to find Lucas lamps and starter on a French car. Over the years I managed to locate everything I needed which was the part I enjoyed. I eventually got the body back home and brush painted it myself which turned out well. It took another 10 years to complete and take out for the first time. It has a crash gearbox, i.e. no synchromesh, which takes a little getting used to. It handles very well and the brakes, although cable operated, are very good.
"It has a hood and side screens which do their best to keep the rain out. I have driven it all over England and taken it on rallies to Italy and Alsace. Apart from the ignition switch breaking it has never let me down. It cruises at 60mph with a maximum speed of 80mph."
Tony Clark's pride and joy for over 63 years, 'MT 4870' comes with a complete history file to include all documentation and comprehensive invoices from 1957 onwards, including the original sales receipt and The Autocar advertisement. Also included are photographs by Tony Clark and previous owners; information on involvement in rallies and other events in the UK and overseas; letters of enquiry regarding original parts and spares; and letters from well-known Bugatti luminaries Jack Lemon Burton, Bugatti Molsheim, Fritz Schlumpf, Hugh Conway, Henry Posner, Ivan Dutton, and Godfrey Eaton. The car also comes with MoTs and a V5C Registration Certificate.
'MT 4870' started life in Southport, Lancashire and some photographs have recently been found of its early days. From emails received recently, and a stereoscopic colour transparency, the first owner's initials have been established as A. J. F. Unfortunately, their name is not known. The earliest photographic record of the car dates from 1936 and depicts it in the Southport area with A. J. F. at the wheel, seemingly about to embark on a lengthy journey. The old-style continuation logbook lists the following subsequent owners:
J A Macdonald, Haydock (1947)
Kenneth Atkinson Lord, Southport (1950-1952)
Maurice John Richards, Churchstoke (1953)
Arthur John Churchley, Edgbaston (1953)
Peter M Driver, Gloucester (1954)
The car remains remarkably original, with all removed parts retained and any original parts required located from the UK and overseas. Described as in good condition, running well, the engine was started regularly up to the end of Tony's life, and fired up at first time of asking in July 2020 when the car was moved for storage. The chassis is said to be sound, with no rust, and the bodywork to be in excellent condition. The hand-painted finish has the charming patina of an older restoration, with only one or two minor marks reflecting its age. The black leather interior likewise has an excellent patina. There are no known problems associated with the transmission, and the electrics are said to be in good working order. A tonneau, hood and side screens in black canvas are included in the sale.
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