1928 Bugatti Type 37A Grand Prix Supercharged– $962,000 at RM Auctions Amelia 2014 — 45 Original Photos



This former GP car was one of two 1920s-era Bugatti’s roaming the Ritz-Carlton grounds this weekend.

BUGATTI T37A Supercharged GIF

The other was black and will be featured in even more photographic detail than this little blue fella.

RM Auctions AM14 Bugatti T37A Blue GIF

 

Both are absolutely enchanting up close, with a metal wire closure system for most bodywork that was ideal for rapid servicing without the need to un-bolt any bodywork.

1928 Bugatti Type 37A Grand Prix Supercharged-- $962,000 at RM Auctions Amelia 2014 -- 45 Original Photos 1 1928 Bugatti Type 37A Grand Prix Supercharged-- $962,000 at RM Auctions Amelia 2014 -- 45 Original Photos 2 1928 Bugatti Type 37A Grand Prix Supercharged-- $962,000 at RM Auctions Amelia 2014 -- 45 Original Photos 3 1928 Bugatti Type 37A Grand Prix Supercharged-- $962,000 at RM Auctions Amelia 2014 -- 45 Original Photos 4 1928 Bugatti Type 37A Grand Prix Supercharged-- $962,000 at RM Auctions Amelia 2014 -- 45 Original Photos 5 1928 Bugatti Type 37A Grand Prix Supercharged-- $962,000 at RM Auctions Amelia 2014 -- 45 Original Photos 6 1928 Bugatti Type 37A Grand Prix Supercharged-- $962,000 at RM Auctions Amelia 2014 -- 45 Original Photos 7

These GP cars carry a similar shape to other Bugatti racers, but are actually far smaller and more nimble machines than their big-engined brothers.

Why? Racing rules from FIA specified a maximum engine size — with four cyclinders being the max during the late 1920s.

Therefore, this immaculate and quite charming French Racing Blue car runs a supercharged 1.5-liter making 122-horsepower.

RM Auctions AM14 Bugatti T37A Blue GIF

The 27A’s Roots blower cars are far rarer than the regular Type 37 — only 76 in total were ever made. This makes up just over a quarter of the 286 total Type 37s that were produced.

As actual race-cars, far fewer of both survive today than were actually completed in Molshiem.

BUGATTI T37A Supercharged GIF

With nearly a 1:1 power-to-weight ratio, the cars were exceptionally fast but very hard to drive on the limit.

1928 Bugatti Type 37A Grand Prix Supercharged-- $962,000 at RM Auctions Amelia 2014 -- 45 Original Photos 34 1928 Bugatti Type 37A Grand Prix Supercharged-- $962,000 at RM Auctions Amelia 2014 -- 45 Original Photos 35 1928 Bugatti Type 37A Grand Prix Supercharged-- $962,000 at RM Auctions Amelia 2014 -- 45 Original Photos 36 1928 Bugatti Type 37A Grand Prix Supercharged-- $962,000 at RM Auctions Amelia 2014 -- 45 Original Photos 37 1928 Bugatti Type 37A Grand Prix Supercharged-- $962,000 at RM Auctions Amelia 2014 -- 45 Original Photos 38 1928 Bugatti Type 37A Grand Prix Supercharged-- $962,000 at RM Auctions Amelia 2014 -- 45 Original Photos 39

The aero cD must also be a similar round number — as the 90-horsepower models could hit 90-mph only. The 122HP supercharged cars, meanwhile, easily roared into the 120-mph range and required a host of upgrades to the tires, wheels and brakes.

1928 Bugatti Type 37A Grand Prix Supercharged-- $962,000 at RM Auctions Amelia 2014 -- 45 Original Photos 2

My one question about these cars? Why the strange positive camber up front?  (The wheel-tops cant outward?)

BIGATTI GP GIF

The answers from most folks we asked varied: but the best seems to be that with a driver on-board, the camber then sets itself true.

1928 Bugatti Type 37A Grand Prix Supercharged-- $962,000 at RM Auctions Amelia 2014 -- 45 Original Photos 241928 Bugatti Type 37A Grand Prix Supercharged-- $962,000 at RM Auctions Amelia 2014 -- 45 Original Photos 30

A light car indeed, and quite a stunning example of perhaps Ettore Bugatti’s most-produced racecar in history… until the (very recent) 350-ish Veyron production run, that is.

1928 Bugatti Type 37A Grand Prix Supercharged-- $962,000 at RM Auctions Amelia 2014 -- 45 Original Photos 45 1928 Bugatti Type 37A Grand Prix Supercharged-- $962,000 at RM Auctions Amelia 2014 -- 45 Original Photos 44

More information about this fantastic Bugatti is available on the RM Auctions site.

Outdoor Images c/o RM Auctions.

RM Auctions AM14 Bugatti T37A Blue GIF

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BUGATTI T37A Supercharged GIF BIGATTI GP GIF