BUGATTI 51 – year 1931

Automobiles E. Bugatti, Molsheim, France

Bugatti 51 first appeared in 1931 year. It was actually a modernized model 35 B. The most changes were made to the engine, which still had capacity 2261 cm3, but the cylinders were blocked. The cylinder head received two cam shafts, independently controlling the intake and exhaust valves. The camshafts were driven from the crankshaft through a gear system. The valves were at right angles. The crankshaft was split due to the use of rolling bearings in the connecting rods. A Roots compressor compressed the air to pressure 166 kPa and pumped them to Zenith carburettors. The engine was running at maximum power 139,8 kW (190 KM) by 5200 RPM. In version 51 And about the capacity 1492 cm3 was reached 103 kW (140 KM), a model 51 C with a capacity 1990 cc had power 117,8 kW (160 KM). Type 51 it differed externally from the model 35 with more powerful wheels (with tires 29 x 5,00) without replaceable wheel rims and two fuel fillers. The car weighed approx 750 kg and reached the top speed 230 km/h. Total in years 1931-1935 done 40 cars in version 51. The last models had a capacity of the engine 2,8 liter.

The greatest successes on this car were achieved by Louis Chiron and Achille Varzi. Chiron won in 1931 Monaco Grand Prix year at an average speed 86,54 km/h. Varzi then took third place. However, he made up for it in the Tunis Grand Prix, winning on the track in Carthage. They shared a victory at the ACF Grand Prix in Montlhery, when, changing in a ten-hour race, they reached the average speed 125,06 km/h. At the German Grand Prix at the Nurburgring track, Chiron and Varzi finished second and third. Chiron also won the race at the Masaryk circuit in Brno, Czechoslovakia, at an average speed 117,87 km/h. Bugatti 51 decisively also wins in the following years at the Grand Prix tracks in Rome, Monaco, Monzie, Brnie and Dieppe. Along with the model 35 it is one of the best racing cars from Molsheim.