Beschreibung:

2,991cc SOHC Inline 8-Cylinder Engine 1 Schebler Carburetor Approximately 100bhp at 4,500rpm 4-Speed Manual Transmission 4-Wheel Leaf Spring Suspension 4-Wheel Drum Brakes *In current ownership since 1960 *Recent re-commissioning by Jim Stranberg's High Mountain Classics *Bugatti's reliable and powerful 3-liter model *Excellent Bugatti touring car *Eligible for prominent rallies and tours worldwide The Bugatti Type 44 By the early 1930s, Ettore Bugatti had established an unrivalled reputation for building cars with outstanding performance on road or track; the world's greatest racing drivers enjoyed countless successes aboard the Molsheim factory's products and often chose them for their everyday transport. Considered the finest touring Bugatti of the 1920s, the Type 44 was introduced in 1927 and was produced until 1931. Debuted at the Paris Auto Salon in October 1927, the Type 44 replaced the 2-liter Type 38. It shared much of the Type 38's chassis, although strengthened to withstand the increased power output. 1,095 were built, of which around 10 percent are believed to survive today. The Type 44 was powered by the revised single-overhead-cam straight eight engine, one of the most famous automobile power units of all time. Because of its lengthy run of success, Ettore Bugatti remained committed to his single-cam design, only adopting the double-overhead-camshaft method of valve actuation on the Type 50 of 1930, after considerable prompting by his eldest son, Jean. The Type 44's twin-block, three-valves-per-cylinder, single-plug engine displaced 2,991cc and produced approximately 80bhp, an output good enough for a top speed of over 75mph. Most importantly, the engine received an entirely new crankshaft, one having nine plain bearings for the eight cylinders, thus becoming one of the most solid and reliable crankshaft Bugattis ever made. Driving via a four-speed gate-change gearbox, the Type 44 used a finely tuned leaf spring suspension, and had large, effective drum brakes on all four corners. "The 3-litre Type 44: Smooth, fast and reliable"'- that's how renowned Bugatti historian H.G. Conway headlines his chapter on the Type 44 in his Bugatti book in The Great Marques series. That really sums up the great Type 44. The Motorcar Offered The fine example offered here, Type 44 chassis number 44769, lives up to that fine reputation in the best possible way. Completed at the Molsheim Bugatti works in October 1928, the new Type 44 was delivered to Parisian Bugatti agent, Stand-Auto, in December that same year. 44769 was offered with a considerable price tag of 44,450 French Francs to its first owner. According to Belgian Bugatti registrar Kees Jansen's records, 44769 remained in Europe, where it was later owned by a Mr. Buson. Mr. Buson would later sell the car onto renowned Bugatti expert, Jean De Dobbeleer. In 1960, 44769 was purchased by the consignor, an East Coast enthusiast who lived in Reno, Nevada at the time. 44769 was shipped by boat to the USA that year, and has remained here ever since. Barely running, 44769 was in need of restoration, and soon a nearly 5 decade long restoration process was begun. This process was aided by the fact that the car was essentially untouched, having all original chassis parts with original consistent factory numbering throughout. Help was provided at critical points by Bugatti enthusiasts in the US and Europe, starting out with a careful disassembly in 1961, under the guidance of Dr. William O'Brien, an avid American Bugatti Club member. Later, the transmission was rebuilt and the front axle refurbished with new kingpins and rebuilt shock absorbers. The engine was rebuilt during the same period, including restoring the crankshaft back to standard bearing size, rebuilding of the rod and main bearings as well as the oil pump. The distributor was replaced with a Vertex magneto for reliability. The owner performed the hand chasing on the cambox, having observed the original method while visiting