Bugatti Type 39 I gallery (1925–1929)
A 1.5-liter Grand Prix racer tailored specifically to meet the revised 1926 international engine formula.
The Bugatti Type 39 was conceived in 1925 specifically to comply with the revised international Grand Prix regulations that restricted maximum engine displacement to 1.5 liters starting from the 1926 season. Built upon the proven Type 35 chassis, it utilized an open two-seater roadster body crafted from lightweight aluminum panels, a rigid ladder frame, and advanced cast-aluminum wheels with integral brake drums. The heart of the car was a short-stroke 1.5-liter inline-eight engine sharing the three-valve cylinder head design and roller-bearing crankshaft architecture of the larger Type 35 engine. Power was delivered to the rear axle via a precise four-speed manual transmission. The subsequent Type 39A evolution introduced a Roots-type supercharger, elevating power output to approximately 120 horsepower and pushing top speeds beyond 180 km/h. Produced in limited numbers primarily for European factory works entries and top-tier privateers, the Type 39 secured major international victories, including the 1925 Touring Car Grand Prix and the 1926 French Grand Prix at Miramas.
