1933 Bugatti Type 59 Ch. BC 123

The Bugatti Type 59 Grand Prix was by definition, one of the Supercars of the pre-war era. 

This magnificent thoroughbred from Molsheim had performance and a race winning record like very few in the mid 1930s: A 3.3 Litre, 8 Cyl. Double Overhead Cam engine with supercharger putting out 250HP. Combined with a total weight of 750kgs, it would top out at 250kph.

Approximately eight or nine Type 59 Grand Prix racers were built by Bugatti in period and it is believed only four exist and are accounted for today.

What is also known is the fact that many spares for this rare thoroughbred Grand Prix racer survived intact in the factory during the war and were consequently sold on to privateers once the war had come to an end.

This particular Bugatti Type 59 Grand Prix with Ch. BC123 encompasses many of those original parts: most of the engine: NOS crankcase, cylinders, cylinder heads, cam boxes, Zenith 52KI carburettors made specifically for the Type 59GP, oil pump drive and complete water pump, Chausson radiator, steering box, rear axles, limited slip diff and many internal parts of the gearbox.

The entire rebuild and all of the original parts that went into the build is greatly documented in written documents that follow the car. 

The development of the Type 59 Grand Prix.

While Auto Union and Mercedes had seemingly endless resources to develop bigger capacity and more powerful racing engines in the 1930s, a small private company like Bugatti had no choice but to continue using their modest resources in order to stay competitive against new developments from the competition.

Using the Type 57C as a base for the newly developed Type 59 Grand Prix made it possible to use and replace various parts off the shelf.

And so, once again, the engine of touring and racing cars, the heart of any Bugatti, became closely intertwined with each other. 

The enlarged 3.3litre straight-eight DOHC engine with two Zenith 52 carburetors and a Rootes supercharger, gave the Type 59 Grand Prix 250HP at 5500RPM. Combined with a weight within the regulations of 750kg, the 3.3 litre Type 59 engine would propel the Bugatti Type 59 to a top speed far out of most peoples’ comfort zone. 

With greater length and width than the earlier Grand Prix cars, the chassis of the Type 59 was similar to the Type 54 version and had a hollow front axle with radius arms connected to De Ram shock absorbers. The rear had elliptic springs with the axle sliding in blocks and located by radius rods.

Non-adjustable, mechanical brakes were used with brake shoes that were easily replaced when changing wheels. The brake drums were firmly and beautifully laced to aluminium rims with radially aligned piano wire spokes. 

While it was both wider and lower than previous racers from Molsheim, the Type 59 was quickly recognized as a real Bugatti. At a time when other makes gradually designed cars with more aerodynamic front fairings, Bugatti remained faithful and proudly displayed its horseshoe shaped cooler in a near vertical angle as to emphasize its slogan: "Les pur sangs des automobiles”

The Type 59’s performance and race record was truly exceptional: In 1934, Type 59s finished first and second in the Belgian GP, first place in the Algiers GP, third place in the Monaco GP, third place in the Spanish GP and third place in the Swiss GP.

Eventually the German teams would outdo Bugatti on the track but from 1934 until the late 1930s the Type 59 was in a class of its own. 

Bugatti Type 59 Ch. BC123

Type 59 with Ch. BC123 was restored on behalf of its previous Scottish owner by a well known restoration company in Canada in the early 2000s. Upon arrival in the UK, a further inspection with specialists Tula Enginering revealed lots of work still needed to bring it back to its former glory, essentially a complete strip down.

As a consequence, the Type 59 was sold on to its current owner, an avid Bugatti collector, and as part of the deal, a complete rebuild was agreed and undertaken by Tula Engineering. 

Charles Knill-Jones of Tula engineering (and Nick Masons Ten Tenths) is one of the premier experts on the Type 59. Knill-Jones painstakingly build his own Type 59 for a period of nine years while working on other Type 59 projects alongside. 

During the comprehensive work undertaken on the Type 59 with Tula Engineering in the UK, it was decided to paint it in the special two-tone colour way as used on a British bound Type 59 before the Second World War.

In this unique guise and under the ownership of Mr. Clan Craig, that particular Type 59 debuted  at the Brighton Speed Trials in July 1938 and just the day after, won its class outright in the Prescott Speed Hill Climb.

After the war, that Type 59 was converted to road use and repainted in blue. All that remains today of that unique scalloped livery are a few black/white photographs.

Great attention to the photographs and the scale, ensured a one to one match with the original livery and the Bugatti Type 59 is now a worthy showstopper to match its role model of the late 1930s. 

Since its arrival with the current owner, a collector of Bugatti pre-war cars, the Bugatti Type 59 has seen further refinement in his well equipped workshop and the car is now perfectly at home on the road or on the race track. 

In all respects, this Bugatti Type 59 is a beauty to behold and has been build to concours condition. However it has not only been build for static display; the sound and sight of the 3.3L 8 cylinder engine being fired up is truly special and pulls crowds wherever it is seen and heard.

A comprehensive feature in Classic & Sports Car in May 2021 is a further testament to this unique car. The seven page article was penned up by Mick Walsh and features many photos of the car in action.

Please get in touch for further information including detailed documents outlining the build and the specification of the Type 59. It is highly recommended to see and feel the Bugatti Type 59 at speed firsthand. This can naturally be organised in combination with a visit to see the collection.

The Bugatti is registered for the road with current Danish (EU) registration documents.