1922 Bugatti Type 29/30
The Bugatti Type 23/30 was the first Bugatti race car to feature the Inline-8. Basically, the engine was placed in the Type 23 chassis which featured a wheelbase of 2.55 meters
These cars were specially made to race the French Grand Prix at Strasbourg in 1922. At the race the cars were very reliable and scored a respectable second and third place. Such a result was quite respectable as the Type 22/30 was largely untested and remained almost identical to the road-going Type 30.
Bugatti also ran at the only other GP of the year, the Italian GP. Due to improper gearing the cars were unable to perform in Italy. After no major victories, the 23/30 was replaced by the odd-ball Type 32 Tank for the 1923 season.
Highlights of the Type 22/30 include the exhaust which runs out of center of the rear bodywork and hydraulic front brakes.
Specs & Performance
| engine | Inline-8 |
| position | Front Longitudinal |
| aspiration | Natural |
| valvetrain | OHV 3 Valves per Cyl |
| displacement | 1991 cc / 121.5 in³ |
| bore | 60 mm / 2.36 in |
| stroke | 88 mm / 3.46 in |
| power | 44.7 kw / 60 bhp |
| specific output | 30.14 bhp per litre |
| body / frame | Steel over Steel Chassis |
| driven wheels | RWD |
| front brakes | Hydraulic Drums |
| f brake size | mm / in |
| rear brakes | Drums |
| r brake size | mm / in |
| f suspension | Solid Axle w/Half-Elliptic Springs |
| r suspension | Live Axle w/Reversed Quarter Elliptic Springs |
| wheelbase | 2550 mm / 100.4 in |
| gear ratios | :1 |
Auction Sales History
1922 Bugatti Type 29/30 ‘Reservoir Ovale Course’ 4008 – sold for $1,045,000 Documented in an extensive report by Pierre Yves Laugier. Replica coachwork in the style of the famed ‘cigar’ torpedo cars that had campaigned at the Strasbourg Grand Prix fitted and shown in 2014. The oldest 8-Cylinder Two Seater Sport Bugatti to survive. Never shown in America. Auction Source: 2015 Quail Lodge Auction by Bonhams
