Type 59 n°59121 1933 – Laurent Pierson

The Bugatti Type 59 is the instrument of Bugatti's last fight against his rivals, Maserati and Alfa Romeo, to which must now be added, in the middle of the thirties, the German machines. The brand has made a significant effort for its development.

Designed for the new racing car formula, which limits its weight to 750 kgs — the cylinder capacity being free and the machines which may or may not be fitted with a compressor —Type 59 is a deeply renewed car. Its chassis is wider than that of the 51 and it has been lightened. If the rolling trains remain in the Bugatti tradition with a tubular front axle and a rear suspension by quarter-elliptic springs, the front axle is cut in the middle, the two halves being connected by a sleeve.

Lowered to improve the centre of gravity, the engine is an eight-cylinder, 2.8-litre, six-phase, and dry crankcase lubrication. The two camshafts at the head are driven by a cascade of sprockets (two valves per cylinder). The power supply is entrusted to two inverted Zenith carburets and a compressor. But because of the reduced ground clearance of the car, the car's direction of rotation is reversed so that the carburettors can be mounted above. The developed power is 250 hp. The box has four gears and the deck receives a double gearing to lower the transmission shaft. The brakes are always wired.

Starting with the 1934 Monaco Grand Prix, the cylinder capacity will be increased to 3.3 litres by realignment (3257 cm3), the eight cylinders then offering the same dimensions as the 57 (72 x 100 mm) — The two mechanics have many analogies.

Overall, the Bugatti Type 59 is the classic Bugatti single-seater line, with its side exhaust, rear suspension and new wheels. Magnificent and expensive wheels with fine piano rope spokes, whose rim and drum incorporated are made of aluminum.

Six cars were built, four of which were later sold (Bugatti needs money) to British private drivers (Brian Lewis, Lord Howe, Charles Martin and Lindsay Eccles), while the factory kept only two.

Model 1/8e represents the Bugatti Type 59 n° recognizable by its wink on the rear tip, at different stages of its history. The blue for the original factory color and the green of its passage in Great Britain for a few seasons when sold to the British Charles E.C. Martin.