Bugatti Type 37 1925
The Type 35 chassis and body were reused on the Type 37 sports car. Fitted with a new 1.5 L (1496 cc/91 in³) straight-4 engine, 290 Type 37s were built.
This engine was an SOHC three-valve design and produced 60 hp (44 kW). The same engine went on to be used in the Type 40.
90 bhp, 1,496 cc supercharged inline four-cylinder engine with single Zenith carburetor, four-speed manual transmission, front and rear suspension, and four-wheel cable-operated drum brakes. Wheelbase: 94.5 in.
Type 37A
The supercharged Type 37A accounted for 67 of the Type 37's production slots. Engine output was up to 60–67 kW (80–90 bhp). It also had larger shrouded brake drums.
Specifications
4 Cylinder Grand Prix
Identifying Features:
GP body, wire wheels, small radiator; detachable alloy wheels usual on T37A. Front engine mounting bolts well back
Years Made
(approx): 1926-30
Number Made:
290 (67 supercharged)
Engine:
No of cylinders: 4
Bore x stroke: 69 x 100mm
Capacity: 1496cc
BHP (approx): T37: 60; T37A: 80-90
RPM Limit (prudent): T37: 4500; T37A: 5000
Camshaft: sohc
Valves (per cylinder): 3
Camshaft drive: Front, bevel
Crankshaft bearings, No. and Type: 5 plain, plain rods
Supercharger (Roots): T37A only
Carburettor: 1 Zenith, or Solex
Ignition: Coil (Magneto on T37A)
Plugs per cylinder: 1
Firing Order: 1, 2, 4, 3
Clutch:
Type: Wet, multi-plate
Gearbox:
Location: Central, separate, 4-speed and reverse
Gear change lever: Outside, Top forward
Rear Axle:
Normal Ratio: 14/54 = 3.86
Dimensions:
Wheelbase: 94.5in (2.4m)
Track: 47.25in (1.2m)
Weight (approx): 1600lb (720kg)
Brakes:
Location and Type: 4-wheel cable operated
Brake drums: T37 small, T37A, large, shrouded
Wheels:
Type: Wire, alloy on T37A
Tyre size: original 27 x 4.40; modern fitment 4.50 x 19
Crossbreeding with Other Types:
Chassis and body used on T35, 39 and 51; engine basically T40
History
The Bugatti Type 37 was introduced in November 1925, and it proved to be one of the most iconic and instantly recognizable racing cars to ever leave Ettore Bugatti’s facilities in Molsheim, France. Like its predecessor, the Type 35, the Type 37 provided all the performance that one desired, yet it also offered an excellent level of practicality for road-based events and rallies. However, as opposed to the eight-cylinder unit found in the Type 35, the Type 37 was fitted with a four-cylinder engine. This inline-four engine was considered by many to be more reliable, yet it also provided just as much excitement to the individual behind the wheel as its bigger brother did. Not only could the Type 37 be driven hard all day long, but it also proved reliable enough to be driven home at the end of the day under its own power, even with an additional passenger riding along.
Compared to its larger eight-cylinder siblings, the Type 37 relies on mechanical simplicity, finesse, and lightweight design for its performance, rather than the over-engineered brute force that was more typical in racing cars of the period. With a compact yet powerful 1.5-liter engine, the Type 37 was easily capable of 90 mph. Braking was also effective, and the whole package was quickly identified as a race-winning car for any serious driver on the international racing scene.
Even though the Type 37 was very competitive, more horsepower was sought from its inline four-cylinder engine to make the car even more potent. About 18 months after the Type 37’s initial introduction, Bugatti introduced the Type 37A, with the hallmark improvement being a Roots-type supercharger. Performance was drastically improved over the naturally aspirated model, and the car was capable of reaching a top speed of 122 mph. The car proved to be quite successful, and it saw action in some of the world’s greatest endurance races at the time, including the Mille Miglia, the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and the Targa Florio. While Bugatti produced a totally of 286 Type 37s, only 76 were supercharged from the factory.
As one of Bugatti’s most celebrated and iconic Grand Prix cars, Type 37As have proven to be highly desirable to collectors not only for their place in automotive history but also for their fantastic driving characteristics and overall panache. To those familiar with Grand Prix Bugattis, the Type 37A is considered to be one of the best-handling models to have ever left Molsheim—a belief that was shared by the late French racing driver Rene Dreyfus.