1927-1930 Bugatti Type 37A
The Bugatti Type 37 was probably the best car of its day to utilize only 60bhp, but the 37A had a supercharger which increased power up to 20 bhp. Both models were made for voiturette racing and shared much with the legendary Type 35 Grand Prix car.
The 37 was an enthusiast car that was intended for privateers and amateurs. It featured a brilliant chassis, suspension and braking essentially from the Type 35, but used an engine almost half the size.
Unique to he 37A was it’s roots-type supercharger that raised power to 80 to 85 bhp. Furthermore, Bugatti fitted magneto ignition and offered as an option the aluminum-spoked wheels with built-in brake drums.
With it’s free-revving valvetrain, the engine could go as high as 5000 rpm. Even though the 37A was ones step down from the 2.0-liter Type 35, it regularly kept up due to it’s lower weight.
Fitted with simple cycle fenders, the Type 37 was entered in all the great road races including Le Mans, the Mille Miglia and the Targa Florio.
Story by Richard Owen
Pictures & Gallery
See full 1927 Bugatti Type 37A Gallery here
Specs & Performance
| type | Racing Car |
| production years | 1927 – 1930 |
| production | 77 |
| engine | Inline-4 w/Roots Supercharger |
| valvetrain | SOHC, 3 Valves per Cyl |
| displacement | 1496 cc / 91.3 in³ |
| bore | 69 mm / 2.72 in |
| stroke | 100 mm / 3.94 in |
| power | 67.1 kw / 90 bhp |
| specific output | 60.16 bhp per litre |
| bhp/weight | 125.0 bhp per tonne |
| redline | 5000 |
| front tires | 27 x 4.40 |
| rear tires | 27 x 4.40 |
| front brakes | Drums |
| rear brakes | Drums |
| f suspension | Solid Axle w/Semi-Elliptic Leaf Springs |
| r suspension | Live Axle w/Reversed Quarter Elliptic Leaf Springs |
| curb weight | 720 kg / 1587 lbs |
| wheelbase | 2400 mm / 94.5 in |
| front track | 1200 mm / 47.25 in |
| rear track | 1200 mm / 47.25 in |
| transmission | 4-Speed Manual |
| final drive | 3.86:1 |
