Quiz Archive

About Quiz #197 . Bugatti 38/39...?

For Mulhouse addicts this was a nice bite for research. In fact it is very likely that the exact identity of this car will always remain a blurr. Unless totally new evidence will arise. This not only due to the mishaps of history and racing car specialists but also due to the total jungle that Bugatti frame, chassis, type and motor numbers encompass when you really study them into depth. Below the facts as delivered by Danish owner Henrik Schou Nielsen:
1. An undisputed fact is that it is an 8 cyl GP chassis. (experts know why, but we don't want to learn how to fraud...)
2. Also undisputed is the dating of 1926 as it follows the frame number on the car.
3. Also undisputed is that it has the front cross member for blown cars (we better keep the 'know-how' hidden here as well)
We received all kinds of theories which we will not keep away from you (see next page; followed at the very bottom by an extra explanation by the owner). It is a typical example of a car that went through history leaving it's traces and picking scars and developments and whatever was available. Very close came Jan Bruijn from Holland and Julien X. from France. After careful deliberation we decided the best answer came form Sandy Leith. He knows the car and comes with careful chosen words:"The chassis frame is a GP Bugatti chassis frame which may be from a 1926 Type 39A, chassis no. 4803...this is not confirmed...and may never be able to be confirmed, but it is quite likely! The engine is a T38A (yes, really; chassis 39A; engine 38A.)" Congratulations Sandy! The very nice '38 coachwork so far is a total mystery and we would love to hear more about it. Anybody who has any recollections or more knowledge about the car is welcome to contact \n This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it '>Henrik Schou Nielsen , however - sorry, to kill your daydream - the car is not for sale. Below a selection of the answers which came in, just to learn form. At the bottom followed by a declaration by Henrik Schou Nielsen the owner.


"I would go for Bugatti Type 40. I have a photo of what I think is this car in one of my books at home. Now owned in America. Note that the overhead shot shows the original radiator. The hub nuts are touring ( T40) style not GP and you will note in the overhead shot the gearlever can be seen. The T40 has a central lever whereas the GP cars are all on the right of the driver.

This is a Bugatti Type 57 S Converted in 1939 to 57SC reg. 1938 with reg.No.GU 7 Chassis No.57593 Eng.No.? It is an open 2 seater with Corsica coachwork. Designed by Eric Giles for his son Col.G.M.Giles.Former owners Yates,Bates, Harjes and Bates.

Is this the Type 37 Bugatti that was rebodied in Switzerland by Hanni? It may be the same car that was auctioned off in New York state within the last 10 years.

it's a Bugatti T37 GP car circa 1926 ,as to coach work Figoni & Falachi ?

Bugatti Type 38. This car was from the Sodertsrom collection in Sweden ! The car is known to be 38 239 with engine 38468... some new thoughts may rise the question of a rebodied T35.. still to be verified !

bugatti type 35 ?B approx 1925 later 1930s "updated" roadster body

The coachwork shown on the jump page is noticeably different from that on the lead page. Still, it's similar enough to presume that it's the same car. Based on the jump page photo, I believe it's a Bugatti, with quasi-Saoutchick coachwork, perhaps, the real thing. Type and year, even more difficult, since custom coachbuilders eschewed standardized stylistic progression. The hood/bonnet and radiator look like they're from a T-51 (1933ish). I think the T-57ish Fenders and headlight pods were hung on the earlier car, around 1938.

Based on the hint that this is a GP car and the profile of the steering wheel and radiator I would guess a re-bodied type 37/37A Bugatti from the late twenties. Judging by the pontoon fenders and general detail the body is clearly the work of an artisan and looks in the style of Letourneur et Marchand or de Villars in the thirties but is probably more likely to be a lesser known coachbuilder. The profile/strake down the bonnet and through the side of the car is particularly distinctive and is likely to be the key clue to who crafted the body.

Henrik sended this explanantion:
"On Bugattis the chassis number is stamped in the sump casting of the engine. This is why a car very easily looses its identity if the engine is changed.
This means that the T 39 engine was stamped chassis no. 4803 / engine no 75 but the chassis is not stamped with the chassis number BUT has a separate frame number.
This 39 engine exists in a car in Belgium. The engine was updated to Twin Cam specs. (and still is) which is possible with 35 and 39 engines as it involves only changing the block and cam drive. The crank case and sump remains unchanged so still keeps the stamping 4803.
Conway checked the car in Belgium many years ago and stated that the engine 4803 / 75 was in a chassis - but not belonging to the chassis.
When the original T 39 engine of 4803 was taken out of the chassis no-one took much notice of numbers. So when my car had its engine changed for a Type 38A engine the identity of that 38 engine followed with it = 38468. This is stamped on the sump of my engine along with the engine no 350. "

Friday, 02 March 2007