Motor Car History
 Veteran - Vintage - Classic - Modern
Motor car history
Understanding the Automobile
Toggle Navigation
  • Home
  • Makes and models
  • Motor car History
  • Innovations
  • Trivia
  • Help Guide
  • links
  • You are here:  
  • Motor Car
  • Make and Model
  • B
  • Bugatti
  • Bugatti Type 18 (1912-1914)

Bugatti Type 18

1912-1914
 Bugatti Type 18 history
Overview
Manufacturer Bugatti
Production 1912-1914
Powertrain
Engine 5,027 cc (307 cu in) Straight-4
Transmission four-speed sliding-pinion gearbox
final drive by side chains
Dimensions
Wheelbase 100.4 in (2,550.2 mm)
Track 49.2 in (1,249.7 mm)
Kerb weight 2,750 lb (1,247 kg)
 

The Bugatti Type 18, also called the Garros, is an automobile produced from 1912 through 1914. Produced shortly after the start of the business, the design was something of a relic. It had much in common with the cars Ettore Bugatti had designed for Deutz Gasmotoren Fabrik but with the radiator of the Type 13. Only 6 or 7 examples were built.

Engine

Power came from a large 5.0 L (5027 cc/306 in³) straight-4 engine with 3 valves per cylinder and a single overhead camshaft. This large engine had a 100 mm bore and very long 160 mm stroke, so it could only rev to about 2400 rpm. The rear wheels were chain driven.

Garros

Roland Garros (1888-1918) aviator, sportsman, close friend of Ettore Bugatti was the first owner of Black Bess in 1913. It was the fourth car built and was to be the only Bugatti with chain drive. A keen tennis player the French Open was named after Garros in 1927.

Black Bess

Named Black Bess, after Dick Turpin's mare, by 1920s owner Ivy Cummings, this car had a considerable career at Brooklands soon after the first World War.

Bugatti Type 18 Black Bess side view

Bugatti Type 18 side view

Road test

In spite of the advanced nature of its design the engine gives little of the harsh racing car impression. Again, in spite of the size of that engine it does not give the impression of a big car and in spite of the tall radiator the short wheelbase lends it the appearance of a small sports car. On the road that impression is reinforced, the delicacy of control makes it a joy to drive and one can still flick the gearlever about as you may do only in an early Bugatti.

The subdued howl and occasional suggestion of snatch from the side chains remind that this is a period car. If this car is typical of what the Prince Henry Tours produced the Prince Henry period can only be regarded as a most important constituent of the Golden Age.
Kent Karslake, 1956.

Two other survivors

The only other surviving examples are in the Schlumpf Collection, Musée National de l'Automobile de Mulhouse, France and the other car is privately owned and in England.

Black Bess changed stable in 2009 for €2,427,500.



Bugatti Type 18 rear view

Bugatti
Return
Bugatti Type 13 (1910-1920) 10 / 18 Bugatti Type 252 (1957-1962)
Send
Print
More information on
Bugatti Type 18 car from 1912 to 1914

Related

motor car on you tube

Categories
Bugatti
veteran vehicles | Vehicles launched in 1912 | Sports Cars

Technical

  • Bugatti type 18 Engine 
    Combustion chamber
    Configuration vertical straight four-cylinder
    in front of the car
    Displacement 5,027 cc (307 cu in)
    Cylinder bore 100 mm (3.9 in)
    Piston stroke 160 mm (6.3 in)
    Valvetrain 2-exhaust valves and 1-inlet valve per cylinder mechanically operated by fingers between the overhead camshaft and the valves
    Combustion
    Fuel system ignition by high tension magneto
    Output
    Power output 100 bhp (75 kW; 100 PS)
    maximum r.p.m. 2,400

Read more in this section

Bugatti EB110 (1991-1995)
Bugatti EB110 (1991-1995)
Read more...
Bugatti Type 41 Royale (1927–1933)
Bugatti Type 41 Royale (1927–1933)
Read more...
Bugatti 16C Galibier concept (2009)
Bugatti 16C Galibier concept (2009)
Read more...

  • You are here:  
  • Motor Car
  • Make and Model
  • B
  • Bugatti

Back to Top

© 2021 Motor Car History

X

Right Click

No right click