Description

The Bugatti Type 59/50B Sport was a highly specialized racing machine created in the late 1930s, blending the chassis of the Type 59 Grand Prix car with the more powerful engine from the Type 50B. This hybrid was Bugatti’s response to the increasingly dominant German racing teams, particularly Auto Union and Mercedes-Benz, whose advancements in technology and aerodynamics had begun to eclipse many of their rivals.

The original Type 59 debuted in 1933 and was known for its refined engineering and elegant design. It featured a supercharged 3.3-liter inline-eight engine, but despite its beauty and mechanical sophistication, it struggled to remain competitive against the more aggressively developed German cars. In an effort to enhance performance, Bugatti engineers took the lighter and well-balanced chassis of the Type 59 and installed the larger 4.7-liter supercharged straight-eight engine from the Type 50B, a unit originally developed for land speed and aviation purposes.

The result was the Type 59/50B Sport, a much more powerful car capable of producing around 400 to 500 horsepower and reaching speeds close to 280 km/h (174 mph). The car was reconfigured into a true single-seater layout, marking a shift toward the evolving norms of Grand Prix design. It also featured updated styling with a fully enclosed radiator and a smoother, more aerodynamic profile, moving away from Bugatti’s traditional horseshoe grille.

This model saw limited racing action but achieved notable success. Jean-Pierre Wimille drove it to victory in several events, including the Coupe de Paris in 1939 and the Coupe des Prisonniers in 1945. The car also participated in various hill climbs and non-championship races, demonstrating its strength as a specialized performance vehicle.

Today, the Bugatti Type 59/50B Sport is considered one of the most interesting and technically advanced Bugatti racing cars of its time. Its rarity, historical significance, and the bold engineering choices that defined it contribute to its lasting legacy in the world of classic motorsport.