Description

The Crossley Bugatti Sports, also known as the Crossley Bugatti Brescia, was a unique collaboration between Crossley Motors of Manchester and Bugatti of Molsheim, France. Produced between 1923 and 1925, this model was essentially a Bugatti Type 23 Brescia assembled under license by Crossley in the United Kingdom. The idea was to bring the performance and prestige of Bugatti to the British market with a locally assembled car.

Crossley imported about 24 sets of Bugatti components from France and assembled them at their Manchester factory. These cars carried chassis numbers prefixed with “CM,” ranging from CM1601 to CM1625. While closely following the original Bugatti design, the Crossley-assembled versions featured some refinements. These included quieter gearboxes and improved braking systems, which made the car more comfortable and manageable to drive. However, this came at the expense of a slightly reduced top speed, about 8 to 10 mph lower than the French-built models. Despite this, they were priced more affordably at around £350, making them attractive to enthusiasts who wanted Bugatti performance without the full cost.

Today, the Crossley Bugatti Sports is extremely rare. Only three of the original 24 assembled cars are known to have survived, and just one is believed to retain its original engine and chassis. This particular car, chassis number CM1614, has a well-documented history. It was once owned by D.B. Madeley, a founding member of the Bugatti Owners Club, and took part in early hill climb events and other motorsport competitions. Over the years, it has passed through several notable owners and remains a prized example of this unusual Anglo-French automotive partnership.

The Crossley Bugatti Sports represents a fascinating chapter in early 20th-century motoring history. It combines British craftsmanship with French engineering excellence, illustrating the global appeal and collaboration that helped shape the automotive industry. For collectors and enthusiasts, it remains a significant and highly collectible classic car.