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Details
PROCEEDS TO BENEFIT THE ROBERT SUTHERLAND MEMORIAL FUND
1925 TYPE 13 "BRESCIA" BUGATTI
Chassis No. unknown, see text
Engine No. 598, ex-chassis no. 1035
Dark blue with copper fenders and bolster tank and red wheels
Engine: four cylinder, single overhead camshaft operating 16 valves via curved tappets, Zenith updraft carburetor and Bosch magneto ignition, 1,496cc, 40bhp at 3,800rpm; Clutch: Bugatti wet multi-plate; Gearbox: four-speed manual with right hand gate change; Suspension: beam front axle with half-elliptic springs, live rear axle with reversed quarter-elliptic springs, Hartford shock absorbers all round; Brakes: fully compensated mechanical system operating drums on all four wheels. Right hand drive.
So outstanding was the commercial success of the 16-valve Bugatti that within a few years of its 1920 introduction the Molsheim factory was able to diversify its range to include several new touring, sports and racing models, most notably the immortal Type 35 Grand Prix car. The 16-valve was based upon the chassis of the 8 valve model which was introduced in 1910 and improved in 1913 by the fitment of the characteristic reversed quarter-elliptic suspension which was destined to remain forever a Bugatti hallmark. A 16 valve version of this model was designed and built for an important international voiturette race scheduled to be held at Le Mans on 16 August 1914 but cancelled on the outbreak of war, and after hostilities had ceased, it entered production alongside the existing 8 valve model in February 1920.
Production built up slowly but was bolstered by a string of racing successes, the first and most important being the Coupe des Voiturettes held on 29 August 1920 at Le Mans where works driver Ernest Friderich scored a resounding victory. On 8 September 1921 a factory team of four cars secured the first four places in the Voiturette Grand Prix held at Brescia in Italy, with Friderich again the winner at an average speed of over 70mph after three hours of road racing. Thereafter the model became affectionately known by all as the Brescia.
These tiny racing cars were designated Type 13 to denote a 2.0 meter wheelbase, but the great majority of production models were either Type 22 or Type 23 with wheelbases of 2.40 or 2.55 meters respectively, far more suitable for conventional touring or sports coachwork than the Type 13 with its rather primitive two-seater racing body. By the time production of the 16 valve model ended in mid-1926 a total of just over two thousand examples had been manufactured, the models from 1923 onwards having a larger radiator, a built-up crankshaft mounted on ball bearings and an improved gearbox. Four wheel brakes based on those of the Type 35 were introduced as an option early in 1925 and later became a standard fitment.
With its compact dimensions and light weight combined with accurate steering and precisely controllable handling, the Brescia Bugatti holds a unique and unchallenged position amongst small early vintage racing cars. Added to which its remarkably torquey engine provides lusty performance rendering the model equally suitable for speed events or brisk road motoring.
The first documented record of this particular car appears in Hugh Conway's 1962 Bugatti Register in which it is listed as a Type 22 of unknown chassis number fitted with engine no. 598. It had been acquired in 1946 as a rough incomplete chassis by its owner Andrew Heib of Bury near Manchester in England. The car was unregistered and had no coachwork, its chassis frame had been cut in half and its earlier history was unknown. Other Bugatti parts included the radiator, engine, clutch, gearbox, propeller shaft, back axle, pedals and brake linkage. It was noted that the front axle was non-standard and that it had four-wheel brakes.
Andrew Heib sold the car in 1964 to Tony Oldham of Rochdale for the princely sum of £30. It subsequently passed to Harry Horsfield of Halifax, thence to Paul Richfield and next to Alan Wragg in 1972, by which time its purchase price had risen to £1300 despite remaining in the same condition. Alan Wragg was highly capable and experienced in vintage car restoration, and he completed the rebuild of this car to the exact state in which it remains to this day before selling it to Bob Sutherland in 1975.
The chassis frame was repaired and shortened to the wheelbase of a Type 13, all mechanical components were fully rebuilt and a new racing body constructed to the correct specification. A copper bolster fuel tank and fenders and period instrumentation and lighting equipment completed the picture. The car was equipped with the correct style of wire wheels fitted with Dunlop 710 x 90 beaded-edge tires, with a spare wheel mounted behind the fuel tank. A photograph of the car was taken by Hugh Conway immediately following its rebuild at the VSCC Silverstone race meeting in July 1975 and was published in the Winter 1975 edition of Bugantics, the quarterly journal of the Bugatti Owners' Club.
Various chassis details together with the later style of radiator, the later gearbox numbered 857 and the braking system indicate that this car's original chassis number was probably in the range of 2400-2500, and therefore that it dates from 1925. However its early plain-bearing engine numbered 598 is sourced from chassis no. 1035, a Type 23 invoiced for delivery to Lorraine on 30 November 1920. If, however, as is most likely, the chassis of this car was delivered to New London, and was accurately recorded in 1962 as a Type 22, then from the factory records the only two possibilities for its original chassis number are 2416 and 2486, although in the absence of positive evidence this must perforce remain pure speculation.
During his two dozen years of ownership Bob Sutherland, one-time President of the American Bugatti Club, took part in this car on numerous rallies, including the challenging Colorado Grand which he himself had conceived in 1986, and throughout this period the car provided him with great driving pleasure and reliable service. Having a large car collection and being the generous fellow that he was, Bob also often allowed his friends to drive it on events. Although lacking a confirmed chassis number, this car nevertheless comprises essentially all original Bugatti major components, and with the desirable option for modern-day usage of four wheel brakes, it represents a fine example of an early racing Bugatti ready to provide a new purchaser with the undoubted delights of Brescia ownership. The car has been maintained by Bliss & Company, Colorado and maintenance records are available to the new owner.
The Robert Sutherland Memorial Fund
The heirs of Robert Sutherland are offering the proceeds from the sale of the Brescia Bugatti to The Robert Sutherland Memorial Fund. The Fund will make contributions to treatment programs that help people with Bi-Polar Disorder, also known as Manic Depression. The emphasis will be on treatments for people with Bi-Polar who are not readily recovering from the illness, and who need additional help in getting better. Robert Sutherland lived with this illness for most of his adult life, and in addition to his courage and resilience, he was very fortunate to benefit from good treatment. He was personally involved in helping many people in need. His friends and family have established this Fund in order to continue his spirit of kindness. Those interested in making a tax-deductible contribution to the Fund or who want more information can contact Bob Sutherland, Jr. at 303 651 6122.
1925 TYPE 13 "BRESCIA" BUGATTI
Chassis No. unknown, see text
Engine No. 598, ex-chassis no. 1035
Dark blue with copper fenders and bolster tank and red wheels
Engine: four cylinder, single overhead camshaft operating 16 valves via curved tappets, Zenith updraft carburetor and Bosch magneto ignition, 1,496cc, 40bhp at 3,800rpm; Clutch: Bugatti wet multi-plate; Gearbox: four-speed manual with right hand gate change; Suspension: beam front axle with half-elliptic springs, live rear axle with reversed quarter-elliptic springs, Hartford shock absorbers all round; Brakes: fully compensated mechanical system operating drums on all four wheels. Right hand drive.
So outstanding was the commercial success of the 16-valve Bugatti that within a few years of its 1920 introduction the Molsheim factory was able to diversify its range to include several new touring, sports and racing models, most notably the immortal Type 35 Grand Prix car. The 16-valve was based upon the chassis of the 8 valve model which was introduced in 1910 and improved in 1913 by the fitment of the characteristic reversed quarter-elliptic suspension which was destined to remain forever a Bugatti hallmark. A 16 valve version of this model was designed and built for an important international voiturette race scheduled to be held at Le Mans on 16 August 1914 but cancelled on the outbreak of war, and after hostilities had ceased, it entered production alongside the existing 8 valve model in February 1920.
Production built up slowly but was bolstered by a string of racing successes, the first and most important being the Coupe des Voiturettes held on 29 August 1920 at Le Mans where works driver Ernest Friderich scored a resounding victory. On 8 September 1921 a factory team of four cars secured the first four places in the Voiturette Grand Prix held at Brescia in Italy, with Friderich again the winner at an average speed of over 70mph after three hours of road racing. Thereafter the model became affectionately known by all as the Brescia.
These tiny racing cars were designated Type 13 to denote a 2.0 meter wheelbase, but the great majority of production models were either Type 22 or Type 23 with wheelbases of 2.40 or 2.55 meters respectively, far more suitable for conventional touring or sports coachwork than the Type 13 with its rather primitive two-seater racing body. By the time production of the 16 valve model ended in mid-1926 a total of just over two thousand examples had been manufactured, the models from 1923 onwards having a larger radiator, a built-up crankshaft mounted on ball bearings and an improved gearbox. Four wheel brakes based on those of the Type 35 were introduced as an option early in 1925 and later became a standard fitment.
With its compact dimensions and light weight combined with accurate steering and precisely controllable handling, the Brescia Bugatti holds a unique and unchallenged position amongst small early vintage racing cars. Added to which its remarkably torquey engine provides lusty performance rendering the model equally suitable for speed events or brisk road motoring.
The first documented record of this particular car appears in Hugh Conway's 1962 Bugatti Register in which it is listed as a Type 22 of unknown chassis number fitted with engine no. 598. It had been acquired in 1946 as a rough incomplete chassis by its owner Andrew Heib of Bury near Manchester in England. The car was unregistered and had no coachwork, its chassis frame had been cut in half and its earlier history was unknown. Other Bugatti parts included the radiator, engine, clutch, gearbox, propeller shaft, back axle, pedals and brake linkage. It was noted that the front axle was non-standard and that it had four-wheel brakes.
Andrew Heib sold the car in 1964 to Tony Oldham of Rochdale for the princely sum of £30. It subsequently passed to Harry Horsfield of Halifax, thence to Paul Richfield and next to Alan Wragg in 1972, by which time its purchase price had risen to £1300 despite remaining in the same condition. Alan Wragg was highly capable and experienced in vintage car restoration, and he completed the rebuild of this car to the exact state in which it remains to this day before selling it to Bob Sutherland in 1975.
The chassis frame was repaired and shortened to the wheelbase of a Type 13, all mechanical components were fully rebuilt and a new racing body constructed to the correct specification. A copper bolster fuel tank and fenders and period instrumentation and lighting equipment completed the picture. The car was equipped with the correct style of wire wheels fitted with Dunlop 710 x 90 beaded-edge tires, with a spare wheel mounted behind the fuel tank. A photograph of the car was taken by Hugh Conway immediately following its rebuild at the VSCC Silverstone race meeting in July 1975 and was published in the Winter 1975 edition of Bugantics, the quarterly journal of the Bugatti Owners' Club.
Various chassis details together with the later style of radiator, the later gearbox numbered 857 and the braking system indicate that this car's original chassis number was probably in the range of 2400-2500, and therefore that it dates from 1925. However its early plain-bearing engine numbered 598 is sourced from chassis no. 1035, a Type 23 invoiced for delivery to Lorraine on 30 November 1920. If, however, as is most likely, the chassis of this car was delivered to New London, and was accurately recorded in 1962 as a Type 22, then from the factory records the only two possibilities for its original chassis number are 2416 and 2486, although in the absence of positive evidence this must perforce remain pure speculation.
During his two dozen years of ownership Bob Sutherland, one-time President of the American Bugatti Club, took part in this car on numerous rallies, including the challenging Colorado Grand which he himself had conceived in 1986, and throughout this period the car provided him with great driving pleasure and reliable service. Having a large car collection and being the generous fellow that he was, Bob also often allowed his friends to drive it on events. Although lacking a confirmed chassis number, this car nevertheless comprises essentially all original Bugatti major components, and with the desirable option for modern-day usage of four wheel brakes, it represents a fine example of an early racing Bugatti ready to provide a new purchaser with the undoubted delights of Brescia ownership. The car has been maintained by Bliss & Company, Colorado and maintenance records are available to the new owner.
The Robert Sutherland Memorial Fund
The heirs of Robert Sutherland are offering the proceeds from the sale of the Brescia Bugatti to The Robert Sutherland Memorial Fund. The Fund will make contributions to treatment programs that help people with Bi-Polar Disorder, also known as Manic Depression. The emphasis will be on treatments for people with Bi-Polar who are not readily recovering from the illness, and who need additional help in getting better. Robert Sutherland lived with this illness for most of his adult life, and in addition to his courage and resilience, he was very fortunate to benefit from good treatment. He was personally involved in helping many people in need. His friends and family have established this Fund in order to continue his spirit of kindness. Those interested in making a tax-deductible contribution to the Fund or who want more information can contact Bob Sutherland, Jr. at 303 651 6122.