Bugatti Type 32 classic cars for sale

History of the Bugatti Type 32

The Bugatti Type 32 was created specifically for the 1923 French Grand Prix at Tours and marked a revolutionary step in racing design. Ettore Bugatti applied lessons from aviation, shaping the car to mimic the aerodynamic profile of an aircraft wing. This distinctive, streamlined shape led to the vehicle’s nickname, 'The Tank'. The Type 32’s short production run—only four cars—underscored its experimental nature and exclusivity. Although its racing results were mixed, with a best finish of third place at the Grand Prix, the Type 32 paved the way for future innovations in motorsport engineering, directly influencing the subsequent, legendary Bugatti Type 35.

Model History

Preceding the Type 32 was the Bugatti Type 30, which provided the two-litre straight-eight engine also used in the 32. The Type 32 represented a radical departure from its predecessor with its new focus on aerodynamics and compact form. Due to its handling issues and limited racing success, production ended in the same year and gave way to the development of the Bugatti Type 35. While the Type 32’s lifecycle was brief, its technical concepts were partially inherited and refined in the Type 35—one of the most successful racing cars ever built.

Highlights of the Bugatti Type 32

• Exceptionally rare: Only four units ever built
• Groundbreaking aerodynamics: Elliptical, streamlined body unlike any other racing car of its time
• First application by Bugatti of roller-bearing big ends, hydraulic front brakes, and a three-speed gearbox
• Designed explicitly for racing at the 1923 French Grand Prix in Tours
• The unique and radical appearance earned it the nickname 'The Tank'

Technical Data

Special Editions and Collectible Models

Given that only four Bugatti Type 32 cars were manufactured and all were specifically designed for the 1923 Grand Prix, every surviving example is inherently a special collectible. There were no factory variants or further evolutions—it is rarity and motorsport purpose which confer collectible status on every Type 32.

Known Issues and Weak Spots

With such low production and unique engineering for its era, parts availability is extremely limited and mechanical upkeep requires specialised expertise. The aerodynamic design, while innovative, created high-speed stability challenges, especially at racing speeds. Each remaining car today likely requires highly individualised preservation, often involving bespoke fabrication of parts and deep knowledge of early 20th-century Bugatti engineering.

Engine, Performance, Transmission and Handling

The Type 32’s straight-eight engine delivered up to 117 mph—impressive for the early 1920s. However, its radical aerodynamic shape produced unexpected aerodynamic lift, making high-speed handling unpredictable. The compact, short chassis, combined with early experimentation in airflow management, led to stability issues under race conditions. The three-speed manual transmission was advanced for the period, paired with hydraulic front brakes for effective stopping power—another first for Bugatti. Due to only four being built, every Type 32 is a highlight. However, the two cars known to have survived are celebrated among collectors and historians for their direct connection to Grand Prix racing and their groundbreaking approach to car design.

Interior, Comfort, Exterior and Design

The Bugatti Type 32’s design was shaped entirely by aerodynamic pursuit: a silver, cigar-shaped aluminium shell covering the chassis with minimal openings and a semi-enclosed cockpit. The compact body stood in stark contrast to the exposed, open-body racers of its day, prioritising airflow over driver comfort. Materials were selected for weight savings and streamlining—even the wheels were largely hidden by the body. No special accessories are known due to its pure race focus, but each surviving car demonstrates early Bugatti’s willingness to diverge radically from design conventions.

Other Relevant Features

Each surviving Bugatti Type 32 represents an untouched chapter in racing history. The cars are typically held in museum or private collections, and their presence at vintage motorsport events draws significant attention, serving both as technical curiosities and important milestones along the route to modern racing car vocabulary.

Summary

The Bugatti Type 32 is a remarkable and rarely seen artefact of racing history. Its pioneering aerodynamic design, technical innovations, and scarce production numbers make it a true outlier both in the Bugatti lineage and in grand prix history. Whether as an engineering experiment or a motorsport competitor, the Type 32 stands today as a testament to early 20th-century racing ingenuity and the relentless pursuit of performance and innovation by Ettore Bugatti and his team.