Bugatti 37 #37220 1926 / Manual

Chassis number: 37220
Engine number: 37247/133

Chassis #37220 left the Bugatti factory in October 1926 and was delivered to the Bugatti dealership in Paris. The current owner’s father purchased the car in 1986, at which time it consisted of a substantial collection of parts, along with the original registration document and chassis plate.

The collection of parts at that time included:
- an original radiator,
- original brake drums and wire-spoke wheels,
- bodywork components including the firewall,
- the dashboard with all the instruments,
- the bonnet,
- a completely original engine with its lower sump and all engine components bearing the assembly numbers (#37247),


Engine block #37247 comes from a car that was exhibited at the 1927 Paris Motor Show, which explains one of its rare features: the engine block was stamped at the foundry by the Bugatti factory with the inscription ‘Bugatti 37’ for the purpose of being exhibited at that show.

The history of this car (#37247) is known, as are its previous registration numbers:
1st registration: 8678 BA 2 (Alpes-Maritimes),
2nd registration: 4713 CA 5 (Bouches-du-Rhône).

Car #37247 was driven by the driver René Crémieux in 1931 at the Michelet Hill Climb. This hill climb featuring #37247 was depicted by the artist Rob Roy at the time in an original painting which will be presented to the future owner.

The #37247 engine fitted in #37220 is therefore an engine that competed in races during that era. The owner’s father began having the car rebuilt and restored in 2009 by a specialist in the make.

And it was the owner’s son, the current seller, who recently completed this restoration.
The car comprises:
- an original radiator with the period Bugatti badge,
- a fully original engine with all assembly numbers intact,
- an original lower sump (37247/133),
- an original alternator,
- the water pump and oil pump complete a fully original and numbered mechanical assembly.
- bonnet, firewall, dashboard with all original instruments,
- running gear with flanges, large-diameter aluminium brake drums and original wire-spoke wheels,
- original distributor (bearing the number 15),
- new gearbox,
- new clutch disc,

All the engine assembly numbers are available, including camshaft number #191. The chassis is a reconstruction; the bodywork (underbody, bonnet and rear spoiler were built by Jean-Luc Bonnefoy).

The rear axle has been rebuilt with a 14/54 final drive ratio as per the original, but without the stamped markings. The mechanical assembly has just been fully restored by Nicolas Bourianne at a total cost of €26,000. The engine, gearbox and rear axle have been realigned.

The car runs perfectly; the engine is extremely lively (originally tuned for
competition), it does not overheat and is easier and more reliable to drive than a Bugatti 35. The car has a standard French registration document.