Description

The Bugatti Type 18 Sports was one of the most remarkable and ambitious models produced by Ettore Bugatti in the early years of his automotive career. Built between 1912 and 1914, the Type 18 stood apart from other Bugatti designs of the era for its size, power, and bold character. It was intended as a high-performance sports car for the road and competition, and it foreshadowed the powerful grand tourers that would define Bugatti’s later success.

At the heart of the Type 18 Sports was a large 5.0-litre straight-four engine—massive by Bugatti standards. This engine, with three valves per cylinder and a single overhead camshaft, was capable of producing around 100 horsepower, an exceptional figure for the time. The car’s immense torque and top speed made it one of the fastest road cars of the pre-war period, capable of exceeding 100 km/h with ease. Unlike Bugatti’s lighter and more nimble early models, the Type 18 was built for speed and strength, with a robust chassis and drivetrain to handle the power.

Despite its size, the Type 18 still bore many hallmarks of Bugatti’s design ethos. It featured a long, elegant bonnet, narrow frame, and signature horseshoe-shaped radiator. The car’s proportions were bold and imposing, yet still refined. Most examples were bodied with open, two-seat sports bodies in the “torpedo” or “voiturette” style, emphasizing their sporting intent. The mechanical layout and driving experience were raw and purposeful, offering a direct connection between driver and machine.

Only a handful of Type 18s were built—fewer than ten—which makes them among the rarest of all Bugattis. One of the most famous examples was owned and raced by the aviator and racing driver Roland Garros, further elevating the model’s mystique. Another well-known car, nicknamed “Black Bess,” was owned by British racing driver Ivy Cummings and survives today as one of the most prized early Bugattis.

The Bugatti Type 18 Sports stands out not only for its size and rarity but for what it represented: a bold exploration of high-performance engineering in the early automotive era. It bridged the gap between Bugatti’s delicate light cars and the powerful, luxurious machines that would follow, offering a glimpse into the company’s evolving ambitions.