1939 Bugatti Type 59/50B

This Bugatti monoposto was designed to take on stiff german competition from Auto Union & Mercedes. The Type 50b engine was a further evolution of the type 50 powerplant. It was the final Bugatti race car of the 1930s was the Type 59 of 1934. It used an enlarged 3.3 L (3257 cc/198 in³) version of the straight-eight Type 57’s engine sitting in a modified Type 54 chassis. 

The engine was lowered for a better center of gravity, and the frame was lightened with a number of holes drilled in the chassis. The signature piano wire wheels used splines between the brake drum and rim, and relied on the radial spokes to handle cornering loads. 250 hp (186 kW) was on tap, and eight were made.

See full 1939 Bugatti Type 59/50B Gallery here

Specs & Performance

 

submitted by	Richard Owen
engine	50B1 Supercharged Inline-8
displacement	4741 cc / 289.3 in³
bore	84 mm / 3.31 in
stroke	107 mm / 4.21 in
power	299.8 kw / 402.0 bhp @ 5300 rpm
specific output	84.79 bhp per litre
bhp/weight	bhp per tonne
front tires	5.25×19 Dunlop
rear tires	7.00×19 Dunlop
front brakes	Hydraulic Drums
f brake size	mm / in
rear brakes	Hydraulic Drums
r brake size	mm / in
wheelbase	2600 mm / 102.4 in
length	4160 mm / 163.8 in
width	1630 mm / 64.2 in
height	1220 mm / 48.0 in
transmission	4-Speed Manual
gear ratios	:1