1931 Bugatti Type 54
As a stop gap between planned models, Bugatti produced the Type 54. It became a synthesis of the Type 45 chassis with an eight-cylinder engine from the Type 50. It was raced actively from 1930 to 1933 and became known for its brute power among the more nimble Type 35s it replaced.
At the Monza GP in 1930, Louis Chiron and Archille Varzi raced the first two Type 54s. Varzi was able to secure third place which wasn’t bad for a car conceived and fabricated in just two weeks. A highlight victory came when Varzi won at at Avus in 1933.
In 1934 maximum weight restrictions made the Type 54 redundant. Two chassis were later converted into road cars by Bachelier and Messrs Uhlik.
Pictures & Gallery
See full 1931 Bugatti Type 54 Gallery here
Specs & Performance
| type | Racing Car |
| built at | France |
| production | 6 |
| engine | Inline-8 |
| aspiration | Supercharged |
| block material | Cast Iron |
| valvetrain | DOHC, 2 Valves per Cyl |
| fuel feed | 2 Zenith Carburettors |
| displacement | 4972 cc / 303.41 in³ |
| bore | 86 mm / 3.4 in |
| stroke | 107 mm / 4.2 in |
| power | 223.7 kw / 300 bhp |
| specific output | 60.34 bhp per litre |
| bhp/weight | 285.71 bhp per tonne |
| body / frame | Aluminum Body over Steel Frame |
| front brakes | Cable Operated Drums |
| rear brakes | Drums |
| f suspension | Rigid Axle w/Semi-Elliptic Leaf Springs, Friction Dampers |
| r suspension | Live Axle w/Reversed Quarter-Elliptic Leaf Springs, Friction Dampers |
| curb weight | 1050 kg / 2315 lbs |
| wheelbase | 2750 mm / 108.3 in |
| front track | 1350 mm / 53.1 in |
| rear track | 1350 mm / 53.1 in |
| transmission | 3-Speed Manual |
| top speed | ~200 kph / 124.20 mph |
| key drivers | Louis Chiron, Archille Varzi |
| race victories | 1933 Avus |
