Beschreibung:

‘From now on the Type 51 was to be the finest racing car so far put into the amateur racing driver’s hands, the most sought after and desirable of the Grand Prix Bugatti models...’ - Hugh Conway, Grand Prix Bugatti. Only 40 Type 51s were manufactured at Bugatti’s Molsheim factory during the 1930s, of which as many as a dozen used - from new - stockpiled Type 35-series chassis frames, there being hardly any substantial difference between the 35 and 51 frame designs. The Type 51 is historically significant as the first Grand Prix Bugatti to use a twin-overhead-camshaft engine. Power output of this more efficient and better-breathing engine was quoted as some 160bhp, as much as 30 horsepower more than the standard 35B. Apart from the engine changes, plus relocating the magneto to the left side of the dash, twin fuel filler caps and well-base, cast-aluminium wheels with fixed rims, the Type 51 was virtually identical to the earlier Type 35B. During the Depression years of the 1930s, these neat, quick and nimble Bugattis won time and again both at Grand Prix and lesser levels, often in the face of larger and much more powerful opposition. And after the Type 51’s day had passed, its magnificent 2.3-litre supercharged engine continued in production for the ‘Super Sport’ version - the quintessential sports-touring Type 55. One of the most celebrated and most elegant of all post-Vintage competition cars, the Type 51 Bugatti was not only a supremely capable and competitive Grand Prix car but also - when fitted with mudguards, lights and road equipment - a splendid sporting machine for all-round use. A true supercar of its era, the Type 51 is today one of the most desirable and valuable cars in the world, always assuming you can find a genuine one for sale. This most exciting project belonged to John Gardiner, founding partner of the internationally renowned historic racing car engineering company, Crosthwaite & Gardiner, who passed away on 1st September 2007 aged 64. John had the intention of one-day creating a complete car, but the sheer success of C&G, together with the associated workload, meant that he never quite got around to it. The project is now being sold by order of the executors. The list of components is too lengthy to reproduce here in full, but highlights include a pair of chassis side rails and cross members; original rear axle; road springs (x4); shock absorbers (x4); a pair of bulkhead plates and brackets; front brake back plates (x2); steering arms (x3); and a clutch cover. A full listing is available from the Bonhams office. Vente sur ordre des exécuteurs testamentaires de John Gardiner Lot de pièces Bugatti Type 51 Dans son ouvrage « Grand Prix Bugatti », Hugh Conway écrit ceci : « J’irai jusqu’à dire que dorénavant, la Type 51 sera la plus belle voiture de course que l’on puisse mettre dans les mains d’un coureur amateur, c’est la plus recherchée, la plus désirée des Bugatti Grand Prix ». Durant les années trente, dans l’usine de Molsheim, on a produit seulement 40 exemplaires de Type 51, dont une douzaine ont été fabriquées, à l’état neuf, sur des châssis Type 35 ; il est d’ailleurs difficile de distinguer les différences entre les dessins des châssis des 35 et des 51. La Type 51 est historiquement reconnue comme étant la première Bugatti Grand Prix équipée d’un moteur à deux arbres à cames en tête. Ce moteur, dont l’efficacité et la carburation étaient ainsi considérablement améliorés développait une puissance estimée de160 ch, autrement dit 30 chevaux de mieux que sur la Type 35. La Type 51 était virtuellement identique à la type 35 B qui la précédait ; les différences entre les deux modèles sont le changement de moteur, la magnéto passant sur le côté gauche du tableau de bord, les doubles bouchons de remplissage et les roues en aluminium coulé avec jantes fixes. Pendant la Grande Dépression des années trente, ces ingénieuses, rapides et agiles Bugatti ont gagné, encore et encore, en Grands Prix et dans les cour