1925 Bugatti Type 39 Grand Prix
To comply with the 1.5 litre Grand Prix regulations, Bugatti built the Type 39 which was similar in specification to the larger Type 35C. Only the engine was modified to have a shorter stroke that was reduced by 22mm.
The Type 39 was also available with a supercharger and known as the Type 39A. Some engines were produced with an smaller bore to produce 1092cc.
Our feature car is chassis 4607 that was driven by Meo Costantini to 7th overall and first in class at the Grand Prix de l’ACF Tourisme at Montlhéry on July 19, 1925. The formula at Montlhéry was similar to the ACF’s 24 Hours of Le Mans which required fenders, lights, ballast and starters and similar road equipment.
Among the five factory entrants by Bugatti, Costantini managed to beat the Darracqs and his teammates to score a Bugatti 1-2-3-4.
Pictures & Gallery
See full 1925 Bugatti Type 39 Grand Prix Gallery here
Specs & Performance
| type | Racing Car |
| built at | France |
| production | 10 |
| engine | Inline-8 |
| position | Front, Longitudinal |
| aspiration | Natural |
| ignition | Magneto |
| block material | Cast Iron |
| valvetrain | SOHC, 3 Valves per Cyl |
| fuel feed | Zenith Carburettor |
| displacement | 1496 cc / 91.29 in³ |
| bore | 52 mm / 2.0 in |
| stroke | 88 mm / 3.5 in |
| power | 67.1 kw / 90 bhp @ 5500 rpm |
| specific output | 60.16 bhp per litre |
| bhp/weight | 120.0 bhp per tonne |
| torque | 81.3 nm / 60 ft lbs @ 2000 rpm |
| body / frame | Aluminum Body over Steel Frame |
| driven wheels | RWD |
| wheel type | Cast Aluminum w/Integral Brake Drum |
| front tires | 28 x 4.95 |
| rear tires | 28 x 4.95 |
| front brakes | Drums |
| rear brakes | Drums |
| front wheels | F 48.3 x 12.7 cm / 19 x 5 in |
| rear wheels | R 48.3 x 12.7 cm / 19 x 5 in |
| steering | Worm & Wheel |
| f suspension | Solid Axle w/Semi-Elliptic Leaf Springs, Friction Dampers |
| r suspension | Live Axle w/Reverse Quater-Elliptic Leaf Springs, Friction Dampers |
| curb weight | 750 kg / 1654 lbs |
| wheelbase | 2400 mm / 94.5 in |
| front track | 1200 mm / 47.2 in |
| rear track | 1200 mm / 47.2 in |
| transmission | 4-Speed Manual |
| final drive | 4.15:1 |
| top speed | ~185.03 kph / 115 mph |
| 0 – 100 mph | ~9.0 seconds |
