100 bhp, 1,991 cc SOHC inline eight-cylinder engine with dual Solex carburetors, four-speed manual transmission, live front axle with semi-elliptic leaf-spring front suspension, live rear axle with quarter-elliptic leaf-spring suspension, and front hydraulic and rear mechanical drum brakes. Wheelbase: 112 in.

• The model that begat the straight eight-cylinder Bugatti
• Highly attractive and sporting original coachwork
• Known and well-researched history since new
• Formerly owned by Bernard Viallon

The Bugatti Type 35 remains today the most successful racing car, in terms of overall number of victories, ever built. The heritage that led to this all-conquering model began here, with the Type 30, the first eight-cylinder production Bugatti.

The Type 30’s engineering was not as exciting as subsequent Bugattis, nor was it fast; where it excelled was in jewel-like mechanical sophistication. The engine sported a barrel-type crankcase under a pair of fixed-head cylinder blocks, surmounted by a single cambox in which the overhead camshaft operated the valves by finger-type rockers to the two inlets and a single exhaust valve per cylinder. Carburetion was supplied by a pair of either Zenith or Solex carburetors; ignition was initially by magneto, with a coil used for later cars. A fine four-speed gearbox with right-hand change lever and mesh gears, shifting through a wet multi-plate clutch, ensured the remarkably rapid gear change for which all Bugattis were renowned. The I-beam front axle was new and substantially constructed, and hydraulic front brakes were installed, with the rear drums considerably larger than those at the front.

Almost exactly 600 examples of this thrilling little car were produced between 1922 and early 1926.

CHASSIS NUMBER 4725